5002- How has Flexner influenced the social work profession

Week 5 Overview: The Birth of a Profession: 1898–1930 As you work through this week's activities, keep the following questions in mind: What were the significant developments for the social work profession during the early 20th century in the United States? How did the events of the early 20th century shape what the social work profession has become today? How do you plan to conduct prework for the Policy Analysis assignment, due at the end of Week 6? Prior to the early 1900s, what was beginning to be called social casework had been mostly limited to Charity Organization Societies. However, as more and more people began to recognize the importance of the social environment on different aspects of people's lives, social work began to spread into new areas. Because professions are based on expert knowledge applied to pressing social problems, the core of any profession is its educational credentials. At the end of the 19th century, there were no educational programs specifically to teach people to be social workers. This week discusses the beginnings of formal educational programs for social work professionals. For this discussion, discuss how Flexner has influenced the social work profession. Here are some ideas to get you started: What changes, if any, do you think should be made in the social work profession today? What changed after Flexner said social work was not a profession? How can a focus on the individual and a focus on social reform coexist? Reflect on what, if any, evidence there was of considerations that would today be related to diversity, equity, and inclusion and how that might be impacting current social work policies and practices.