1799
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Founded in 1799, The Home for Little Wanderers becomes the nation’s oldest child welfare agency
1960
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Chapter 638 mandates for closure of state reform schools
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Federal government begins to pay 75% of the costs of social services for welfare recipients.
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Other efforts include:
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Aid to Families with Department Children plus Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled Programs Community Mental Health Act
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Economic Opportunities Act
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Older American Act, Medicare and Medicaid, Chapter 766 and Federal Special Education Act
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1969
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Pine Street Inn first opens its doors offering cots and meals to 200 men
1970
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Department of Youth Services founded
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Jerome (Jerry) Miller closes Massachusetts’ reform schools. Highly regarded as premier event for juvenile justice services
1971
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Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs becomes one of the nation’s first cabinet-level agencies responsible for elders
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State budget for human services purchase-of-service (POS) system is $25 million