PROGRAM

Reflections on the American Social Welfare State: The Collected Papers of James R. Dumpson, PhD, 1930-1990, by Alma J. Carten presents an insightful overview of American social welfare developments over a critical 60-year period, when social welfare policy was expanded to new heights through New Deal and civil rights legislation followed by conservative attacks on the foundation of these progressive policy reforms. Carten describes and critically assesses these developments in the book while drawing upon scholarly accounts of social welfare history, her personal experience as a social policy analyst, and a careful examination of selected papers from the James R. Dumpson Collection that is housed in the Walsh Library archival holdings of Fordham University. Dr. Carten will be joined by former New York City Mayor David N. Dinkins, Mimi Abramovitz, and Patricia White, Executive Director, The Fund for Social Policy Education and Practice and Project Director, The New York Community Trust, in a conversation that presents a chronology of Dumpson’s substantive achievements and contributions to progressive policy development over a half-century career in social work and where the nation is today. Special comments will be offered by his daughter, Jeree Wade, and Patricia White, on personal aspects of Dumpson life as father and mentor.

This program was made possible by the generous support of The Fund for Social Policy Education and Practice (an initiative of The New York Community Trust), Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work and United Way of New York City.