REC/GOV/019. Social Services, Department of.

The Department of Social Services provides assistance to families and individuals through programs such as child-care block grants, energy assistance, vocational rehabilitation, refugee assistance, programs for the elderly, temporary assistance for needy families, food stamps, Section 8 housing vouchers, and the state child support enforcement plan. The Department has evolved through several titles that reflect the changes in public policy toward those citizens in need: Board of Charities, 1873-84; State Board of Charities, 1884-1921; Department of Public Welfare, 1921-35; Office of the Commissioner of Public Welfare and the Public Welfare Council, 1935-1953; Department of Welfare, 1953-75; Department of Social Services, 1975-1979; Departments of Human Resources and Income Maintenance, 1979-1993; and, once again, the Department of Social Services, 1993-present.