ABSTRACT
Over the past thirty years, the function and structure of social welfare have undergone sustained criticism that led to episodic reforms. The federal government has turned over more responsibility to states to create social welfare policy and to shape the delivery of services. Whereas government once assumed primary responsibility for funding and providing social welfare services and programs, that is no longer the case. The delivery of social welfare programs is increasingly contracted out to nonprofit and for-profit private agencies. Despite these changes, Hispanics and other populations remain poorly served by the social welfare system.
