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Social Agencies: History
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Social agencies are formally organized entities that provide social or human services and mobilize resources to address the needs of individuals, families, groups, or communities [1][2]. They may operate within public, nonprofit, voluntary, or other organizational settings and can provide services related to health, welfare, education, housing, employment, rehabilitation, or other areas of social need [1][3]. Social agencies typically organize personnel, financial resources, facilities, and other assets to plan, deliver, and evaluate social services [2][4]. Their activities may be supported through government funding, grants, donations, service contracts, fees, or other sources of revenue, making financial management an important component of organizational sustainability and accountability [2][4]. Social agencies also interact with governments, community organizations, businesses, and other service providers to coordinate resources and respond to changing social needs [3]. The term therefore encompasses organizations whose primary activities involve the organized provision of services and mobilization of resources to address social needs and improve individual or community well-being.

  • social agencies
  • human services
  • social welfare
  • community services
  • nonprofit organizations
  • social service delivery

References

  1. Lohmann, R. A.; Lohmann, N. Social Administration; Columbia University Press: New York, NY, USA, 2001. https://cup.columbia.edu/book/social-administration/9780231111980/.
  2. Lohmann, R. A.; Lohmann, N. Financial Management: Social Agency, Social Enterprise and Social Economy. In Encyclopedia of Social Work, 20th ed.; Oxford University Press: New York, NY, USA, 2008. https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/faculty_publications/808/.
  3. Leonard W. Stern; Margaret Gibelman; Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies: Trends, Issues, and Prospects. Fam. Soc. J. Contemp. Soc. Serv. 1990, 71, 13-23, 10.1177/104438949007100102.
  4. Lohmann, R. A. Budget Making, Financial Management and Human Services Administration. In Leadership in Social Administration; Temple University Press: Philadelphia, PA, USA, 1980. https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/faculty_publications/874/.
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