[Volunteers in Family Security]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

J. S. OFFICE OF CIVILIAN DEFENSE
_ WASHINGTON, D. C.
VOLUNTEERS IN
FAMILY SECURITY
Published By The Office of Civilian Defense With the Cooperation of The Office of Defense Health and Welfare Services
February 1942
FOR THS USE OF EXECUTIVES OF CIVILIAN DEFENSE VOLUNTEER OFFICES AND EXECUTIVES OF AGENCIES OR ORGANIZATIONS USING VOLUNTEERS IN FAMILY SECURITY PROGRAMS, AND LEADERS IN COMMUNITIES WHO PLAN SUCH PROGRAMS.
FOREWORD
The health and. welfare services now provided, by national* State and local agencies must be strengthened and extended so as to meet the needs of all our people in time of war. One of the tasks of the Office of Civilian Defense is to bring the additional strength of citizens able and willing to offer their services in this field to both public and private agencies through the Volunteer Offices.
The Office of Civilian Defense is charged with the respon-sibility of keeping informed cf community problems arising from the impact of military and industrial defense effort» and taking necessary steps to secure the cooperation of appropriate departments and agencies in dealing with such problems. To the Office of Defense Health and Welfare Services has been assigned the duty of serving as the coordinating center for wartime health and welfare services and the further duty of making available the assistance of specialists in health and welfare activities.
Because of the need of coordinating volunteer effort in health and welfare services with the work of existing agencies, the Office of Civilian Defense and the Office of Defense Health and Welfare Services have cooperated in the preparation of this Manual.
CONTENTS
FOREWORD
I.	NEED FOB VOLUNTEEBS IN FAMILY SECUBITY SEBVICES
II.	WHAT VOLUNTEEBS CAN DO IN FAMILY SECUBITY SEBVICES
III.	OBIENTATION AND TBAINING OF VOLUNTEEBS
IV.	SUGGESTED BEADING LIST FOB VOLUNTEEBS
V.	LIST OF AGENCIES WHICH PROVIDE FAMILY SECUBITY SEBVICES AND WHICH MAY USE VOLUNTEEB SEBVICES
I.	NEED FOK VOLUNTEERS IN FAMILY SECURITY SERVICES
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The family is our basic social unit; its security is essential to national defense. The morale of the soldier must not be weakened by threat to his family’s safety and comfort. The speed of our mechanical production must not be slowed down by strains and uncertainties surrounding the families of our workers. To assist families to meet such strains and to maintain their strength and unity is the purpose of family welfare agencies already organized under public and private auspicies in many cities.
These agencies have used volunteer services for many years to supplement professional services. The present national emergency will probably greatly increase demands on the agencies especially in the fields listed below. To meet this increased work load there will be an increased need for volunteer service.
Financial assistance and services in the area of family economics
1.	Rising cost of living is leading families to request assistance whose income has previously met only essential needs.	•
2.	Families with men in the armed forces may ask for aid to meet an unusual expense such as that of hospitalization which might formerly have been met from the family’s earnings.
J.	Military casualties may deprive some families of part or all of their income.
U.	Absence of busband and father looking for work on distani defense projects may leave a family temporarily without any means of maintenance.
5.	Unemployment may occur in non-defense industries because of defense priorities. Unemployment benefit rights may be exhausted before other jobs are found.
6.	Families may lose their homes through enemy action.
In many such instances financial assistance may actually be* needed. In other cases advice on budgeting or help in buying habits, particularly for newcomers in the community, may be all that is required.
Helping individuals and families with adjustments to new jobs, new schools, new communities, new home conditions,
1.	Overcrowding in some schools, particularly in defense areas, may result in less individual attention and in difficulties in adjustment for both new-and old pupils.
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2.	Discipline on new jobs with regular work hours may create problems in adjustment for those on *first jobs* or those going back to work after a prolonged period of unemployment.
3» Families in which the father may be contemplating search for employment in another community may seek consultation from family agencies as to the advisability of such a move and the steps to be taken prior to moving to a new community.
4.	Families and individuals may ask for counsel and aid to adjust to separations caused by service in the armed forces.
5.	Al-iens, refugees and minority groups may need help in adjustment to new communities and new conditions.
Handling out-of-town inquiries and the services incident to these requests
1.	Inquiries to an agency about the families of men in military services are increasing.
2.	Out-of-town agencies are also asking help in making plans for families coming to the new community.
3.	Requests for follow-up reports about fathers separated from their families during employment in defense areas are being received.
4.	The number of transients with social and economic problems is increasing in some communities.
Special services to women and girls in large defense areas
1.	Concentration of defense workers and military personnel in certain areas will affect the welfare of some women and girls who may be exploited for commercial purposes.
Interpreting community resources to individuals and families
During the national emergency it is essential that families learn to use community resources - old residents and newcomers alike Family agencies may be called upon to broaden their work to include services to families that ordinarily do not use welfare agencies. Such families may need to learn how to participate in community life where to go for recreation, how to take advantage of opportunities for retraining, what plans are available for family medical care. 1
Legal assistance
Families and individuals may need assistance in cases arising
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^.nder the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act, the National Life Insurance Act and in other similar circumstances.
II.	WHAT VOLUNTEERS CAN DO IN FAMILY SECURITY SERVICES
The essential task of the family agency is social case work, that is, assistance to a family in solving its own problems. Where can the volunteer fit in? The answer to this question is essentially an individual one for each community and for each agency. Flexibility and imagination plus a sympathetic understanding of what a particular volunteer can contribute are needed by the agency as it plans for volunteer service. The following are a few suggestions:
Direct service to the client:
Primary responsibility for regular family consultation must remain with the professionally trained staff but volunteers may assist these staff members by:
1.	Supplementary visits on a planned basis to aged or blind persons, to shut-ins, refugees, and newcomers to the
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2.	Tutoring children, both the handicapped and those with special talents; tutoring foreign born (unable to attend regular classes) who- are preparing for naturalization.
J. Reading to blind persons.
U. Collecting and distributing reading matter.
5. Shopping with those who need some direction.
o. Acting as assistant receptionist in rush periods, receiving clients and directing them to right source, taking preliminary information, etc.
7.	Arranging and supervising recreation, games, movies, etc., in service centers.
8.	Planning and directing special parties in service centers.
9.	Assisting families to gather furniture or household equipment.
10.	Helping newcomers to get oriented to the community.
Serving on the board and committees of the agency such as:
1.	Committee on policy - volunteer in an advisory role helping on questions of community needs, attitudes.
2.	Committee on personnel standards - assisting under
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direction in gathering data and advising regarding community attitudes toward higher standards.
3.	Committee on review of exceptional cases - volunteer in advisory role.
U. Committee on standards of assistances - assisting under direction in securing data regarding local prices, etc.
5.	Hostess committee - responsibility for physical arrangements for meeting, tea, other refreshments.
6.	Christmas committee - making special arrangements for collecting articles for Christmas cheer.
7.	Library committee - working with staff member of maintaining up-to-date material in library for staff, reading matter for clients in wating room or as part of circulating library.
Assisting in studying areas of unmet need, helping in other kinds of research.
All family agencies are interested in securing the factual material needed to substantiate their observations regarding unmet needs in the communities. Under direction volunteers can be helpful in bringing together the needed data on these problems and can directly participate in securing community action as a result of such studies. It is well known that surveys made by lay persons serve the double purpose of pointing up an unmet need for the agency and of educating an articulate group in the community about needs with which the agency concerns itself.
1.	Tabulating and compiling findings for analysis.
2.	Gathering information on community resources and keeping it up-to-date on such matters as housing* health, social* commercial, military, employment, and recreational facilities.
J. Compiling information on local ordinances and laws of special interest to agency programs.
U. Making spot maps of location of clientele.
Assisting in maintaining public relations
Volunteers may help indirectly to improve the public relations of a family welfare agency by serving on committees as listed above. They may also assist directly in public relations byi
1.	Preparing material about unmet needs for publication
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2.	Preparing material for exhibits
J. Preparing material for graphic presentation
4.	Commenting on material to be released, to the press
5.	Public speaking
6.	Preparing announcements of meetings
7.	Drafting under supervision interpretative material on the agency’s policy
8.	Participating in committee or staff discussion of agency public relationships
Clerical responsibilities
Although the use of volunteers in clerical service will seem to some agencies to be a most productive service it must be borne in Bind that unusual care and skill should be exercised by the supervisor of volunteers to see that the volunteer who is assigned to clerical work and is therefore removed from the direct services of the agency gains a true understanding of the agency program as a whole. Volunteers in clerical work may be assigned some responsibilities in the following:
1.	Typing, filing, and stenography
2.	General clerical	assistance
3.	Clipping service
4.	Telephone duties
5.	Making index-cards	-	recording information
Motor service
Motor service can be used by family welfare agencies in such instances as the following:
1.	Taking clients to the clinic, the hospital, settlement houses, clubs or the agency.
2.	Taking elderly or handicapped persons out driving.
3.	Taking members of the staff of the agency to meetings or on field duties,
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III.	ORIENTATION AND TRAINING OF VOLUNTEERS
Orientation
The supervisor who is responsible for the orientation of volunteers to the agency should, be thoroughly familiar with the information and. point of view previously presented, to the volunteer in the general orientation course in the Civilian Defense Volunteer Office or other central agency. Within the agency in which the volunteer is to serve an additional period of orientation will be planned to give him an understanding of the agency-volunteer relationship and what is expected of him. Included in this orientation period should be a series of planned discussions, including the subjects covered in the following outline:
1.	Introductory statement by the agency executive.
a.	Welcome volunteers to agency.
b.	Value of volunteer services to the agency, especially during the war.
c.	General statement of the agency’s plan for the use of volunteers.
d.	The volunteer’s responsibilities as a representative of the agency.
2.	Purpose of the orientation period to be presented by the supervisor in charge of volunteer program.
a.	To give volunteers an opportunity to understand the functions of the agency as a whole and the volunteer’s place in the ag-ency - what the agency expects from volunteers and what the volunteers may expect from the agency.
b.	Orientation not an attempt to cover all aspects of the jobs the volunteer will handle.
c.	Staff member supervising the individual volunteer will be giving regular help‘d
d.	Orientation seen as the agency’s attempt to help volunteers make an intelligent beginning on his job responsibilities.
J. Interpretation-of case work principles having special, significance for this agency (presupposes that volunteers have had discussion of needs and services in the general orientation period). Discussion in this and following sessions can be led by selected agency personnel.
a.	Assistance necessary because environmental and individual factors make it impossible for some individuals and families to meet their basic economic needs.
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b.	Assistance given in the home has been found to be the most socially desirable type of assistance since it conserves as far as possible normal family and community relationships.
c.	Social service based on the principle of maintaining the family as a unit (relate this explanation to the meeting of individual needs).
d.	Assistance given to families should be sufficient to maintain them in helath and decency according to established standards. (Discuss importance of adequate food, clothing, and their significance in the total life of individuals and the family.)
e.	Public assistance is the right of the individual if he meets legal eligibility requirements. Therefore, assistance from a public welfare agency is not "given* but administered as a right to those persons who are in need and meet other agency requirements for this form of public welfare service.
f.	Economic dependency of temporary or permanent nature does not mean that the recipient of assistance has in any way sacrificed his rights as a person or a citizen. The agency, while helping him in the economic area, wishes the recipient and his family to live as normal a life as possible without interference in the many other important areas of activity.
g.	Case-work service is necessary to the determination of eligibility for financial assistance; this service must be continued throughout the period of financial assistance.
U. Objective and purpose of the agency
a.	Adequate welfare services part of wise social planning to prevent development of social problems and should ultimately affect the great expense to society now occasioned by mental ill health, unemployment, delinquency, etc.
b.	A brief statement of the major functions of the agency, the kind of services rendered, and why these services are necessary.
c.	Public assistance emphasized as one aspect of public welfare and defined as material aid administered by a tax-supported agency to people in need of their own homes.
d.	Legal basis for the existence of a public welfare agency.
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e.	Source of Agency funds
(1)	Need to conserve funds for those in need.
(2)	Obligation to report unmet needs as a basis for obtaining necessary funds.
h. Structure of the agency: functions assigned to divisions and units: personnel.
a.	Interpretation with help of a chart to show agency structure and lines of responsibility in the agency.
b.	Functions of each main division; e.g., social service, accounting, research, statistics, etc. - mention personnel in charge.
c.	Special services. (Consultants where available can be u^ed to discuss these services.)
d.	The merit plan of personnel administration in a public agency
(1)	Method of staff selection; e.g., State-wide examinations.
(2)	Importance of nonpartisan administration of personnel in an agency administering public assistance.
o. Need - basic principles
a.	Conditions of eligibility for assistance
(1)	Age
(2)	Residence
(3)	Need
a.	Requirements
b.	Resources
(U) Other special conditions of the agency (for example in a sectarian agency)
b.	What is the meaning of need?
(1)	A condition of eligibility to receive relief or assistance.
(2)	A lack of income or resources sufficient to meet established requirements.
(3)	A condition expressed by a deficit in resources, and therefore, best established by budgetary methods.
c.	How is need established?
(1)	Explanation of agency’s standards of assistance and'their basis.
(2)	Application of these standards to individual cases so that assistance plans may be made
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which, take into consideration the followings
(a)	Requirements and resources as the applicant sees them.
(b)	Established family circumstances and living arrangements of the applicant
(c)	Actual need which exists regardless of whether the need can be met adequately and completely by the agency.
(d)	Differences in individual need as well as differences in income and resources.
7.	Heeds other than economic
a.	Needs which ageny may help to meet either directly or through referral
b.	Plans made with the individual and the family for the utilization of services within the agency and community resources to meet needs spoken of by the applicant or observed by the worker (give examples)
8,	How does the individual client apply and secure assistance from the agency?
Brief interpretation of:
a.	The application process
b.	The field investigation covering home visits and collateral contacts
c.	Periodic revisits to relate services to continuing need
9.	Case records
a.	Their purpose in a social agency as a basis to account for expenditure of funds; to plan for service to client; as a help to the supervisor.
b.	Emphasis on the confidential nature of the case record, that its only legitimate use is for purposes directly connected with the agency’s administration (establishing eligibility, determining amount of assistance, and providing service for the applicant). Protecting the confidential nature of the record is essential in maintaining confidence between the agency and the applicant, which is vital to good administration. It also safeguards against identification of the applicant or recipient, and against exploitations of a client.
10.	Role of the agency in the community
a.	Relationships with other agencies and how these are
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maintained (importance of following established lines of interagency communication)
b.	Hole of the public agency in a program for community welfare
c.	Opportunities for representatives of the agency» both paid and volunteer, to interpret constructively the program of the agency
11.	Volunteer-agency relationships
a.	Loyalty of all staff, both paid and volunteer, to the agency. (Agency interested in any constructive criticism which volunteers may have; this criticism to be channeled through volunteer*s supervisor.)
b.	Information concerning individual case situations cannot be divulged by any staff member, paid or volunteer, except as needed in working out plans with another organization. Reemphasize that protection of client confidence is the basis of agency-client relationship.
c.	Importance of all staff, paid and volunteer, developing and maintaining regular work habits; reporting promptly on the hours agreed; getting in touch with supervisor at once if unable to report, sense of responsibility toward the agency is vital to good volunteer performance.
12.	Plans for assignment of volunteers and for periodic group meetings for continued discussions
1J.	Individual assignments by supervisor in general charge of volunteer program
a.	Volunteers responsible to a particular supervisor
b.	Introduction to a particular supervisor in a brief conference leading to mutual understanding on the part of all as to responsibility of volunteer and his hours of work.
Supervison
The staff member assigned to supervise the work of a particular volunteer in a family agency will be responsible for the following;
1.	Informing the volunteer when and to whom to report
2.	Being sure that work is ready to be assigned to the volunteer
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3.	Giving the volunteer an opportunity to raise questions when work is assigned
U. Arranging for early review of the volunteer’s work
5.	Trying to develop an easy relationship between volunteer and himself in the beginning
6.	Arranging for regular conferences on the progress of the work
7.	Arranging for the volunteer’s participation in group meetings including the regular staff of the agency
IV. SUGGESTED READING LIST FOR VOLUNTEERS
Suggested reading is important to the growth of the volunteer worker. His direct participation in services to the client is necessarily limited; his understanding of problems and how the agency helps can be furthered through the reading suggested by his Supervisor. The habit of reading literature relating to social 'needs will develop citizens aware of social needs and sufficiently informed'to interpret them in the community. The following reading list has been recommended particularly for volunteers in public agencies, but it will also be useful in private agencies.
Adamic, Louis. From Many Lands. New York, Harper Bros., I9U0, 350 pp.
These sketches of individual Americans with foreign background give understanding of their various and colorful contributions to our national life.
Brown, Ina Corrine. Story of the American Negro. New York, Friendship Press, 208 pp.
The historical background development and accomplishments of the Negro in this country; valuable for understanding the culture of this racial group.
Colcord, Joanna C. Your Community: Its Provision for Health, Education, Safety, and Welfare. New York, Russel Sage Foundation, 1939. 2^9 pp.
This book has been written for nonprofessional persons or beginners in the field. It covers broad aspects of the community setting, needs and organized services; it may need considerable supplementation by way of directed group discussion. As the author comments, the book is developed in a way to be useful to citizens who Wish to have the necessary background from which *to attack the problem of supplying community lacks and improving existing services.*’
Cogwill, Ella Lee. A Guidebook for Beginners in Public Assistance Work. New York, The Family Welfare Association of America, I9U0. 50 pp. Ho/
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A pamphlet to acquaint ‘new workers with the background of the assistance program, public welfare administration today, the < worker’s attitude, the technique of interviewing, and record writing.
Douglas, Paul H. Social Security in the United States. - An Analysis and Appraisal of the Federal Social Security Act. 2d ed. New York, McGraw-Hill, 1939» xiv, 439 PP*
Federal Security Agency, Social Security Board. What is Social SecurityT-A Brief Explanation of the Social Security Act. I.S.C. 1. Washington, D.C., U. S. Government Printing Office, July 19^0. 24 pp.
Funk and Wagnalls. National Health Series. New York, Funk and Wagnails.
•Adolescence,” by Maurice A. Bigelow: *Cancer,” by Francis Carter Wood; "The Child,” by H. I. D. Shaw; "The Common Cold,” by W. G. Smillie; "The Common Health,” by James A. Tobey; ”Diabetes,” by James H. Scott; "Exercise and Health," by Jesse F Williams; "Expectant Mother and Her Baby,” by H. L. DeNormandie; "Food for Health’s Sake,” by Lucy H. Gillett; ”Hear Better,” by H. G, Howell; •How to Rest and Sleep Better," by Donald A.*Laird; "The Human Body, by Thurman B. Rice; "Love and Marriage,* by T. W. Galloway; "Staying Young Beyond your Years," by H. W. Hay gar d; "Taking Care of Your Heart," by Stuart T. Hart; "Tuberculosis," by H. E. Kleinschmidt; "Venereal Diseases," by W. F. Snow; "What you Should Know About Eyes," by F. Lewis; "Why the Teeth," by Leroy Minor.
Hamilton, Gobdon Basic Concepts in Social Case Work. A reprint from the Family Welfare Association of America, 1937«
Useful in giving understanding of the major concepts influencing case work practice.
Kurtz, Russell H., Editor. The Public Assistance Worker. New York, Russell Sage Foundation, 193^« 223 PP*
This is a short readable book, useful in giving beginners in public assistance an understanding of the development in this field. The content is fairly consise, pertinent, and can be understood readily by,the inexperienced person. The following content is included: "Public Assistance in the United States," by Arthur Dunham; •Who Shall be Granted Public Aid? How Much? In What Form?" by Donald S. Howard; "Dealing With People in Need," by Margaret E. Rich; "Problems of Health and Medical Care," by Dora Goldstine; "Tying in with the Community" by Gertrude Vaile; "Public Assistance and Social Work," by Russell H. Kurtz; and "Reading References."
Kur t z, Rus sell H,, Edi tor. Social Work Year Book 1939» Sew Yor k, Russell Sage Foundation, 1939» 730 PP*
Useful as a source book on important aspects of social welfare
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service and planning. "Crippled Children,* by Edith Baker; *Behavior Problems," by William Healy and Augusta Bonner; "Aid to Dependent Children* by Jane M. Hoey and Zilpha C. Franklin; "Social Service Exchange«," by Edith Shatto King; "Social Welfare Planning," by Phillip Klein; "Rural Social Programs," by Benson Y. Landis; "Child Welfare Services ,* by Emma 0. Lundberg.
Kurtz, Russell H., Editor. Social Work Year Book 1941. Hew York, Russell Sage Foundation, 1941.
Men in Military Service
Civic and Fraternal Organizations
Lende, Helga. Books about the Blind - A Bibliographical Guide to Literature Relating to the Blind. Few York, American Foundation for the Blind, Inc., 1940. 215 pp.
The comprehensive compilation of special annotated bibliographies on a wide range of subjects relating to the blind includes references regarding education of the blind, psychology of blindness, voWtions and economic adjustment, social adjustment, etc. It is based mainly on the book collection of the library of the American Foundation for the Blind. The preface indicates an attempt to be somewhat selective, giving preference to the more important and relevant items. Of special significance to the public welfare staffs will be the sections on Pensions and Relief, Social Case Work and Home Teaching, Mendicancy. The index and annotations are helpful in locating useful references.
Hewcomer, Mabel. You Are a Taxpayer. Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Vassar College, 1939» 37 PP.
Explains tax sources - such as benefit taxes, ability taxes, taxation for social control (not revenue), and taxes for money without justice - giving the burden which each places upon the various income levels.
Hew Haven Council of Social Agencies. The Board Member; A Guide to the Discharging of Administrative Responsibilities for Social Work. Hew Haven, Conn., Yale University Press, 193^» 46 pp. $1.00.
Public Affairs Pamphlets. Hew York, Public Affairs Committee, Inc.
#12 - Farmers Without Land, 1937
#42 - Adrift on the Land, 1940
Pamphlets giving the results of research studies regarding conditions among underprivileged groups of people in this country; The^hare croppers and the migratory workers.
Shafer, Carlisle and Carol. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Bread. Hew York, Columbia University Press, 1940. 20/ pp.
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Particular value in showing relationship between economics and. social work. Form of presentation, letters between an economist and. social worker, makes possible interesting and specific discussion of inter-relationships of economic and social factors. While graphically and simply presented to hold interest of the reader, will be useful to the experienced, more widely read person, as well as workers with little familiarity in the field of social work.
Social Work Publicity Council, Rural Routes to Community Understanding of Public Welfare Programs, Rew York, Social Work Publicity council May 1940» 19 pu. 50^
This pamphlet is composed of letters exchanged between a rural social worker and a field representative of a State department discussing their experiences and commenting upon the problems of rural social work. The emphasis is upon the need for an aware*-ness of what makes for effective interpretation in a rural county.
V. LIST OF AGENCIES WHICH PROVIDE FAMILY SECURITY SERVICES AND WHICH MAY USE VOLUNTEER SERVICES
This list is not intended, to be all-inclusive. In many communities a list of these agencies is available through a welfare federation or council of social agencies.
Federal agencies
Civilian Conservation Corps
Farm Security Administration
National Youth Administration
Social Security Board, Bureau of Old Age and Survivors1 Insurance
Veterans’ Administration
Work Projects Administration
Local offices of State welfare departments administering old-age assistance aid to dependent children, aid to the blind, and general relief
Local public agencies
City or county welfare department
Institutions for aged, defectives, and unmarried mothers
Municipal lodging houses and other temporary shelters
Psychiatric service departments of public hospitals and health departments
Social Service departments of public hospitals and health departments
Social Service department of domestic relations court
Private agencies
American Legion, Family Service Bureau
.American Red Cross
Army Relief Society
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Association for Assistance to the Blind
i^irth Control Clinic
Catholic Charities
Catholic Community Service (Counseling Service)
Church Mission of Help
Day Nursery
Family Welfare Society
Goodwill Industries
Immigrant Aid Society
Jewish Center (Counseling Service)
Jewish Social Service Bureau
Junior League, Family Service Bureau
Knights of Columbus Relief Bureau
Ladies of Charity
Legal Aid Society
Local Unit of the Rational Refugee Service
Mental Hygiene Association
Navy Relief Society
Prison Society
^alvation Army
Weamen’s Relief Organization
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Travelers Aid Society
Urban League
Volunteers of America
Young Men’s Christian Association (counseling service)
Young Women’s Christian Association (counseling service)
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