Human Services

What is Human Services?
Ruth Convery
Introduction to Human Services
08/27/10

Human Services is defined by The National Organization of Human Services as “The Human Services profession is one which promotes improved service delivery systems by addressing not only the quality of direct services, but by also seeking to improve accessibility, accountability, and coordination among professionals and agencies in service delivery.”   Human services cover a wide range of career anywhere from child protective services, investigating child abuse to working at a hospice for emotional support for the terminally ill. What all human services do have in common is they help people in their time of need, when they are unable to meet their own needs.   These needs might not being met due to the lack of social support or lack of education which could equal to a lack in employment.   There are many different reasons why a person might need the help of a human service professional.   The long term goal though will always be the same to help people become self sufficient in meeting the different needs to become a healthy productive member of society.   Before you can fully understand how human services works today you must know the history of Human Services.
Human Services can be dated as far back as the Feudal System of the Eleventh Century. In those times wealthy landowners would allow serfs to live on their land and farm that portion of land.   The serfs were considered the land owners servant or property and were responsible for taking care of their basic needs.   Religion also played a large part in the Feudal System.   It was considered the Christian way of life to help those poorer than yourself. The Feudal System eventually faded away with the start of The Industrial Revolution. People moved to cities where they were able to work in the factories.   One no longer knew their neighbors like before. With the theories of predestination and social Darwinism people began to believe if...