This collection documents the San Francisco Human Services Agency's history through materials prepared for the Human Services Commission. Included are commission agendas and minutes, correspondence, memoranda, reports, and budgets.

The San Francisco Human Services Agency (HSA) began in 1913 as the Widows' Pension Bureau, providing cash assistance to widowed mothers. Over the decades, the agency added programs, merged with other city departments, and changed its name several times. During the Great Depression, the City and County of San Francisco formed the Citizen's Emergency Relief Committee to distribute state funds for unemployed persons. When the 1935 Social Security Act passed, federalizing most welfare programs, the Emergency Relief Committee and the County Welfare Department merged. A commission was formed to oversee the new department. The organization has been known as the Widows' Pension Bureau (1913-1929), County Welfare Department (1930-1936), Public Welfare Department (1937-1965), the Department of Social Services (1965-1985), the Department of Human Services (1985-2004), and the Human Services Agency (2004 to present). In 2004 the Department of Human Services merged with the Department of Aging and Adult Services.

44 cartons, 1 oversized flat box (45 cubic feet)

Researchers must agree in writing to not disclose in any form the personally identifying information of HSA clients. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Additionally, the San Francisco Human Services Agency requires researchers who publish findings based on this collection include the following: "The archives of the San Francisco Human Services Agency have been made available for the purpose of historical research. The views contained in this publication represent the conclusions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the San Francisco Human Services Agency nor the City and County of San Francisco."

The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours. Collections that are stored off site should be requested 48 hours in advance. The San Francisco Human Services Agency requires researchers agree in writing to not disclose in any form the personally identifying information of HSA clients.