Linking clients and policy: Social work's distinctive contribution

Social work's distinctive contribution to American life has been its ability to link client systems-individuals, families, groups, and communities-and social welfare policy. This unique focus has characterized the profession since its origins in the 19th century. Both settlement houses and charity organization societies emphasized the relations of clients with larger systems in their social environments. Social workers developed social survey methods as a way of understanding their clients' environments during the Progressive Era. They struggled to enact the "Social Standards for industry" (a precursor to the social welfare legislation of the New Deal), which was adopted by a committee of the National Conference of Charities in 1912. Social work's dual focus on client systems and their environments will continue to be important in the profession's second century.