Department of Health, Education, and Welfare

Definition

The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) was a U.S. government agency created in 1953 that aimed to consolidate federal responsibilities for health, education, and social services. It played a crucial role in advancing policies for the desegregation of schools and public facilities, reflecting the federal government's commitment to civil rights during the 1960s.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The HEW was responsible for administering programs that were integral to the implementation of desegregation policies across schools and public facilities.
2. In the wake of landmark Supreme Court decisions like Brown v. Board of Education, HEW played a pivotal role in enforcing compliance with desegregation orders.
3. The agency was dissolved in 1979, with its functions split into two separate departments: the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services.
4. HEW's efforts in desegregation included withholding federal funds from institutions that did not comply with civil rights requirements.
5. The establishment of the Office for Civil Rights within HEW allowed for more focused enforcement of desegregation laws and oversight of educational institutions.

Review Questions

• How did the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare contribute to the desegregation of schools during the civil rights movement?
  • The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare played a key role in promoting desegregation by administering federal funds to educational institutions. It established guidelines that mandated compliance with desegregation orders. By threatening to withhold federal funding from schools that did not integrate, HEW effectively pushed many institutions to comply with civil rights mandates and facilitate equal access to education for all students.
• Discuss the relationship between HEW's policies and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in advancing desegregation efforts.
  • The policies implemented by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare were closely aligned with the objectives of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. HEW was tasked with enforcing Title VI of this act, which prohibited discrimination in federally funded programs. This connection meant that HEW had both a legal and moral obligation to ensure compliance among schools and public facilities, thus reinforcing the broader goals of civil rights legislation in dismantling segregation.
• Evaluate the impact of HEW's disbandment on ongoing efforts for desegregation in schools and public facilities.
  • The disbandment of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare in 1979 marked a significant shift in how federal oversight was managed in education and health sectors. With its functions divided between the new Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services, there was concern that focus on civil rights enforcement might weaken. This change raised questions about continued support for desegregation efforts, as both new departments faced challenges in maintaining consistent policies and adequate resources for monitoring compliance with civil rights laws.

Related terms

Civil Rights Act of 1964:

Legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin and provided for the desegregation of public schools and facilities.

Office for Civil Rights: A part of the HEW responsible for ensuring compliance with civil rights laws in education and health care sectors.

Title VI: A section of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs receiving federal assistance.