Finding Aid to the San Francisco Human Services Agency Records, 1919-2016 (bulk 1937-2000), SFH 743

Finding aid prepared by Daniel Kelly, San Francisco History Center intern.

San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library

100 Larkin Street

San Francisco, CA 94102

sfhistory@sfpl.org

URL: http://www.sfpl.org/sfhistory

Dec. 9, 2023

Title: San Francisco Human Services Agency Records

Date (inclusive): 1919-2016

Date (bulk): 1937-2000

Identifier/Call Number: SFH 743

Creator: San Francisco (Calif.). Department of Human Services.

Creator: San Francisco (Calif.). Human Services Agency.

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

Contributing Institution: San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library

100 Larkin Street

San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 557-4562

sfhistory@sfpl.org

URL: http://www.sfpl.org/sfhistory

Abstract: 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.

Physical Location: The collection is stored off site and requires a minimum of 2 working days' advance notice for use.

Language of Material: Collection materials are in English.

Access

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.

Publication Rights

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."

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], San Francisco Human Services Agency Records (SFH 743), San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.

Provenance

Transferred to the San Francisco Public Library from the San Francisco Human Services Agency in August of 2023.

Related Materials

Researchers are encouraged to consult the San Francisco Public Library's catalog for additional materials related to the San Francisco Human Services Agency. The organization's annual reports and other materials can be found using HSA's historical names: Widows' Pension Bureau, County Welfare Department, Public Welfare Department, Department of Social Services, Department of Human Services, and Human Services Agency. Cataloged records of programs and departments include Family and Children's Services, Department of Aging and Adult Services, County Adult Assistance Program, and In-Home Supportive Services. Researchers can find additional records for the Citizens' Emergency Relief Committee in another archival collection: San Francisco Office of the Controller Unemployment Relief Program Minutes and Reports (SFH 67).

Processing Information

Processed by intern Daniel Kelly in 2023.

Historical Note

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.

Throughout its life, HSA has added programs and services to meet the changing needs of low-income and vulnerable San Franciscans. For example, during WWII it provided childcare assistance to mothers working in the shipyards, and it helped with the resettlement of war refugees. In 1947 it assumed responsibility for child welfare services including foster care. In the 1950s, the agency launched the In-Home Supportive Services program, providing attendant care to thousands of low-income seniors and persons with disabilities.

When the federal Medicaid health insurance program was created in 1965, the department began managing enrollment for the state's version of the program, Medi-Cal. In 1977 HSA began administering the federal food stamp program. It has long overseen the General Assistance program for indigent single adults, and until 2016 it was the primary city department providing shelter and housing assistance to homeless persons.

The Widows' Pension Bureau of a century ago is today's CalWORKs program, offering not only cash benefits but also childcare and employment assistance to low-income families. Starting in the 1980s, the agency relied increasingly on partnerships with nonprofit agencies, eventually overseeing more than 200 contracts. As of 2023, HSA was providing support to almost one in three San Franciscans.

Additional information about the agency's history can be found in a 2016 newsletter contained in the Statistics, Reports, and Newsletters series.

Scope and Contents

This collection documents the history of the San Francisco Human Services Agency (HSA), largely through materials prepared for the Human Services Commission. While there are budgets from the agency's early years and a few materials from the Citizens' Emergency Committee, the bulk of the collection consists of commission records between 1937 and 2000. Included are agendas and minutes from monthly commission meetings, as well as the memoranda, reports, budgets, and correspondence submitted as background materials to the commissioners.

Major subject areas include poverty, homelessness, families, children, seniors, disabilities, refugees, foster care, and childcare. Major programs include food stamps, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, General Assistance, child welfare, and employment assistance.

Organization

Organized into six series: Series 1: Widows' Pension Bureau Budgets; Series 2: County Welfare Department Budgets; Series 3: Commission Correspondence; Series 4: Commission Minutes; Series 5: Statistics, Reports, and Newsletters; and Series 6: Advisory Committees.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically within series.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

At-risk youth -- Services for -- California -- San Francisco.

Homeless families -- Services for -- California -- San Francisco.

Homeless persons -- Services for -- California -- San Francisco.

Occupational training -- California -- San Francisco.

People with disabilities -- Services for -- California -- San Francisco.

Public welfare -- California -- San Francisco -- Statistics.

Social service -- California -- San Francisco.

San Francisco (Calif.). Department of Human Services. -- Archives.

San Francisco (Calif.). Human Services Agency. -- Archives.

Box 1

Series 1 Widows' Pension Bureau Budgets, 1919-1930

Historical Note

The San Francisco Widows' Pension Bureau was created by state legislation in 1913. In 1930, the agency absorbed the newly-created Aid to Needy Aged Benefit (created by state legislation), and was renamed the County Welfare Department.

Box 1

Series 2 County Welfare Department Budgets, 1930-1939

Physical Description: 9 folders

Historical Note

The County Welfare Department arose as as result of state legislation creating the Aid to Needy Aged Benefit in 1930. The city then incorporated the benefit program with the San Francisco's Widows' Pension Bureau, resulting in the renamed department. In 1937, the County Welfare Department merged with the San Francisco Emergency Relief Committee to form the Public Welfare Department.

Series 3 Commission Correspondence, 1933-1987

Physical Description: 10 boxes

Historical Note

The County Welfare Department merged with the Citizens' Emergency Relief Committee in 1937, forming the Public Welfare Department. A commission was added to support the organization. The Public Welfare Commission consisted of five persons appointed by the mayor. They reviewed major policy decisions, approved contracts, and selected and supervised the department's general manager. The commission held monthly meetings that were open to the public.

The department underwent other name changes over the years and is now known as the San Francisco Human Services Agency, and its commission is the Human Services Commission.

Scope and Contents

This series contains reports, interdepartmental correspondence, and budgets prepared for the commissioners.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Box 2

1933-1939

Program Manual, 1933

Unemployment Relief Program, 1934

Benefits Procedures, 1934

Correspondence, 1935

Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1937

Correspondence, Mrs. Eugene M. Prince, 1938

Correspondence, Miss R.A. Turner, 1938-1939

State Emergency Relief Administration, 1939

San Francisco Public Welfare Department Organization Report, 1938

Budget, 1939

Staff Meeting Minutes, 1939

Correspondence, Mrs. Eugene M. Prince, 1939

Correspondence, Emergency Relief Workers, 1939

Golden Gate International Exposition, 1939

Work Progress Administration, 1939

Boxes 2-3

1940-1949

Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1940

Correspondence, Miss R.A. Turner, 1940

Correspondence, Mrs. Eugene M. Prince, 1940

Statewide Council on Relief, 1940

Surplus Commodities, Food Stamp Plan, 1940

Work Progress Administration, 1940

Governor's Commission on Re-employment, 1940

Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1941

Relief for Indigents and Non-Residents, 1942

Budget, 1942

Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1942

Community Chest, 1942

Employment Program, 1942

Caseload Reports and Statistics, 1942

Staff Meetings, 1942-43

Caseload Reports and Statistics, 1943

Child Welfare, Child Care, 1943

Legislation, 1943

Caseloads, 1943

Case Policy Advisory Committee, 1943

Medical Advisory Committee, 1943

Correspondence, 1943

Budget, 1943-44

Budget, 1944

Caseload Reports and Statistics, 1944

State and County Meetings, 1944

Correspondence, 1944

Correspondence, 1945-47

Alcoholism, 1946-49

Staff and Supervisors Meetings, 1947

Medical Care, 1948

Staff and Supervisors Meetings, 1948

Correspondence, 1948

Budget, 1948-49

Staff and Supervisors Meetings, 1949

Proposition 4, 1949

Correspondence, 1949

Box 3

1950-59

Commission Reading File, 1950

Child Welfare Advisory Committee, 1951

Correspondence, 1951

Child Welfare Services, 1951

Caseload Reports and Statistics, 1951

Boxes 3-5

1960-69

Correspondence, 1960-65

Community Work and Training, 1965

Civil Service, 1965

Community Work and Training, 1964

Adoptions, 1965

Budget and Statistical Reports, 1965

Community Work and Training, 1965

Administrative Review, 1965

Services for Aged, 1965

Housing Meetings, 1965

Indigent Aid Study, 1965

Personnel Review, 1965

Boxes 5-7

1970-1979

General Assistance, 1970

Board of Supervisors, 1970

Correspondence, Jan.-Jun., 1970

Commission Correspondence, Jul.-Dec., 1970

Aid to Families with Dependent Children, 1970

Board of Supervisors, 1971

Correspondence, Jan.-Jun., 1971

Correspondence, Jul.-Dec., 1971

Board of Supervisors - Proposed Resolutions and Ordinances, 1971

Budget and Statistical Reports, 1971

Board of Supervisors, 1971

State Department of Social Welfare Correspondence, 1972

Correspondence, Jan.-Jun., 1972

Correspondence, Jul.-Dec., 1972

Correspondence, General Manager to Social Service Commission, 1972

Correspondence, Mrs. John M. Douglas, 1972

Mayor's Office, 1972

Budget and Statistical Reports, 1972-1973

Budget, 1972-1973

Adult Homemaker Contracts, 1973

Assembly Bill 134 1973

Mayor's Office, 1973

Board of Supervisors, 1973,

Correspondence, General Manager to Social Service Commission, 1973

Correspondence Jan.-Jun., 1973

Correspondence, Jul.-Dec., 1973

Commission Correspondence, Mrs. John M. Douglas, 1973

Day Care Centers, 1973

H.R. #1, 1973

Office of Children's Services, 1973

Budget and Supplemental Budget Requests, 1973-1974

Adult Homemaker Contracts, 1974

Board of Supervisors, 1974

Correspondence, 1974

Office of Children's Services, 1974

Budget and Supplemental Budget Requests, 1974-1975

Adult Homemaker Contracts, 1975

Board of Supervisors, 1975

Family & Children's Services, 1975

Office of Children's Services 1975

Correspondence, Mrs. John M. Douglas, 1975-1976

Adult Homemaker Contracts, HEW Audit, 1976

Board of Supervisors, 1976

Correspondence 1976

Family & Children's Services, 1976

Management Project 1976

Mayor's Office, 1976

Budget, 1976-1977

Adult In-Home Supportive Services, 1977

Correspondence, 1977

Family & Children's Services, 1977

Board of Supervisors, 1977

Mayor's Office, 1977

Monthly Assistance Report S-17, 1977

Budget, 1977-1978

Board of Supervisors, 1978

Correspondence, 1978

Profile of General Assistance Recipients, 1978

Jarvis-Gann Initiative, Proposition 13, 1978

Mayor's Office, 1978

Monthly Assistance Report S-17, 1978

Welfare Reform - President Carter Proposal, 1978

Adult In-Home Supportive Services, 1978

Board of Supervisors, 1978

City Attorney, 1979

Correspondence, 1979

FIRM Management by Objectives, 1979

Food Stamps, 1979

Mayor's Office, 1979

Monthly Assistance Reports, 1979

Budget, 1978-1979

Boxes 8-11

1980-1987

Adult In-Home Supportive Services, 1980

Board of Supervisors, 1980

Children's Home Society Proposal for Shelters, 1980

Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth, 1980

Correspondence, 1980

Delinquency Prevention Coordination Council, 1980

FIRM Management by Objectives,

Mayor's Office, 1980

Office of Program Evaluation and Support, 1980

Refugee Assistance, 1980

Budget, 1980-1981

Adult In-Home Supportive Services, 1981

Commission Requests, 1981

Board of Supervisors, 1981

City Attorney, 1981

General Assistance, 1981

Mayor's Office, 1981

Office of Program Evaluation and Support, 1981

Correspondence, 1981

Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth, 1981

Contracts (Non-IHSS) Correspondence, 1981

Budget, 1981-1982

Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth, 1982

Correspondence, 1982

Commission Requests, 1982

Contracts - Adult In-Home Supportive Services, 1982

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Project, 1982

City Attorney, 1982

Board of Supervisors, 1982

Delinquency Prevention Coordination Council, 1982

Contracts and Monitoring Reports, 1982

San Francisco Youth Campus, 1982

Homeless Issue, 1982

General Assistance, 1982

Office of Program Evaluation and Support, 1982

Mayor's Office, 1982

Budget, 1982-1983

Office of Program Evaluation and Support, 1983

Southeast Refugees, 1983

Special Investigations Unit, 1983

San Francisco Youth Campus, 1983

Special Investigations Unit, 1983

Board of Supervisors, 1983

Child Abuse Prevention, 1983

City Attorney, 1983

Coleman Advocates for Youth & Children, 1983

Commission Correspondence, 1983

Contracts, In-Home Supportive Services, 1983

Contracts, IHSS, Reports and Correspondence, 1983

Contracts, Non-IHSS, Monitoring Reports, 1983

Contracts, Non-IHSS, Correspondence, 1983

District Attorney Special Investigations Unit, 1983

FIRM System Goals and Objectives, 1983

General Assistance, 1983

Homeless, 1983

Homeless, Mayor's Fund, 1983

Mayor's Office, 1983

Budget, 1983-1984

Ronald Born Memorial Fund 1984

Staff Minutes, 1984

Board of Supervisors. 1984

Buildings, 1984,

Office of Program Evaluation and Support, 1984

Child Abuse Prevention, 1984

City Attorney, 1984

Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth, 1984

Contracts, IHSS, 1984

Contracts, Non-IHSS, Correspondence, 1984

Contracts (Non-IHSS) Monitoring Reports, 1984

District Attorney - Special Investigations, 1984

General Assistance, 1984

Homeless, 1984

Mayor's Office, 1984

Budgets, 1984-1985

Mayor's Office, 1985

City Attorney, 1985

Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth, 1985

Collections, 1985

Commission Goals and Objectives, 1985

Contracts - In-Home Support Services, 1985

Contracts (Non-IHSS) Correspondence, 1985

Mayor's Office, 1985

Office of Program Evaluation and Support, 1985

Delinquency Prevention Coordinating Council and Commission, 1985

District Attorney - Special Investigations, 1985

Correspondence (Other), 1985

Buildings, 1985

AFDC - Greater Avenues to Independence, 1985-1986

Health Commission, 1985-1986

Budget, 1985-1986

Board of Supervisors, 1986

City Attorney, 1986

Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth, 1986

Collections, 1986

Commission on the Status of Women, 1986

Contracts, IHSS, 1986

Contracts, Non-IHSS, 1986

Controller's Office, 1986

Correspondence (Other), 1986

Delinquency Prevention and Coordinating Council, 1986

District Attorney - Special Investigations Unit, 1986

Greater Avenues for Independence Program, 1986

General Assistance, 1986

Homeless Youth, 1986

Commission's Maintenance of Effort Task Force, 1986

Mayor's Office Correspondence, 1986

Health Commission, 1986-1987

Budget, 1986-1987

Commission's Goals and Objectives, 1986-1987

Board of Supervisors, 1987 1987

Buildings, 1987

City Attorney, 1987

Board of Supervisors, 1987

Collections, 1987

Commission on the Status of Women, 1987

Commissioner Herman L. Griffin 1987

Commission's Goals and Objectives. 1987

Contracts - In Home Supportive Services, 1987

Controller's Office, 1987

Contracts, Non-IHSS, 1987

Juvenile Probation Department, 1987

Homeless Youth Interagency Council, 1987

Homeless Program, 1987

Homeless Youth Inter-Agency Council, 1987

General Assistance Ordinance, 1987

Joint Commission Task Force, Health, Aging, and Social Services, 1987

Caseload Reports and Statistics, 1987

Forrester Papers (The General Assistance Experience), 1987

Caseload Reports and Statistics,

Staff Support Services, 1987

Delinquency Prevention and Coordinating Council, 1987

Budget, 1987-1988

Delinquency Prevention and Coordinating Council, 1987

Series 4 Commission Minutes, 1941-2000

Physical Description: 33 boxes

Scope and Contents

This series contains the meeting agendas and minutes approved by commissioners, as well as reference documents including contracts.

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically.

Boxes 12-13

1941-1949

Boxes 14-16

1950-1959

Boxes 16-21

1960-1969

Boxes 21-27

1970-1979

Boxes 27-38

1985-1989

Boxes 39-44

1990-1999

Box 44

2000

Series 5 Statistics, Reports, and Newsletters, 1934-2016

Physical Description: .5 cubic foot

Scope and Contents

This series contains county-level statistical reports from the California Department of Social Services, program evaluations, and foster care data, as well as newsletters highlighting new agency initiatives and articles about the agency's history.

Arrangement

Organized chronologically.

Statistics and Reports, 1991-2002

Box 1

Licensed Foster Homes, 1993-1994

Box 1

DSS, Family & Children's Services, Annual Statistical Report, 1995

Box 1

DSS General Assistance Evaluation, 1977

Box 1

DHS Strategic Planning, 1999-2001

Box 1

Program Statistical Reports, 1974-2002

Box 45

CalWorks Evaluation 2002

Box 1

Newsletters, 1999-2016

InService Newsletter, 1999-2006

HSA Centennial History Newsletter, 2016

Box 1

Series 6 Advisory Committees, 1947-1995

Physical Description: 6 folders

Historical Note

The Human Services Commission often formed committees of staff and community members to examine pressing questions. For example, when large numbers of African American children entered foster care in the 1980s and 1990s, the commission launched committees to examine the causes and make recommendations. In 1992 it created a staff committee to make recommendations related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) services.

The City and County of San Francisco created the Juvenile Court in 1903 to protect children's safety and well-being. In 1947 the responsibility for San Francisco's child welfare services, including foster care, was transferred to HSA. The Juvenile Court, which has been known by several names, continued to oversee the legal decisions related to child welfare processes.

Scope and Contents

This series includes a 1947 committee report with recommendations about how to best reorganize child welfare services. Also included are the meeting minutes of two community committees that were formed in the late 1980s to examine questions related to HSA's child welfare policies and the needs of African American families. Also includes meeting materials from a 1992 staff committee working on HIV practices and programs.

Arrangement

Organized chronologically.

Committee on Family and Child Welfare Services, 1947

African American Child Task Force Minutes, 1989-1992

Committee on African American Children and Their Families Minutes, 1993-1995

HIV Issues Advisory Committee, 1992

Subcommittee on Americans with Disabilities Act, 1993-1995

Policy Planning Committee, 1995