User:AlBrownmsw

AlBrownmsw (Master in Social Work) and now retired. I was formerly with the US Department of Health and Human Services, Region IX, San Francisco. I specialized in providing the following services:

The funding of Western States (California, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii) so that they could provide Child Welfare Services including Protective Services, Adoption and Foster Care. I had earlier headed up the Work Incentive Program (WIN) in collaboration with the Department of Labor. The WIN program was abolished by President Reagan even though it had achieved great success in assisting welfare recipients to become self sustaining through employment.

Finally I had responsibility for the funding and monitoring of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Program (RHY)that grew from 17 youth shelters to 87 during my period of service. The RHY effort provides Basic Shelter as well as Transitional Living facilities for youth aging out of foster care.

I began my social work career as a summer counselor during WW II at a welfare camp (Agassiz Village) in Maine under the sponsorship of the Burroughs Newsboys Foundation in Boston. I worked at the Foundation winters. Upon graduating Boston University (College of Busines Administration 1955)and School of Social Work (1959), I worked as a street gang worker at the Norfolk House Center in Roxbury,MA and in Sommerville, MA for the Elizabeth Peabody House.

I also worked for three years at the Tucson Jewish Center and the San Francisco JCC. I left to work as a child welfare worker at the San Francisco Department of Social Services and ultimately rose to an administrative position as a Division Director for the Aid to the Disabled program.

After 12 years, I was recruited to Federal Service and retired after 25 years.

I have had a long and satisfying career,frequently encountering much danger and excitement but I enjoyed a great deal of gratification.