Evening star., 1947-01-09
Needs
Mental Clinic,
Survey Reports
Fomily WeIfore Unit
Also Urged After
Changes in Set Up

A need exists in Arlington for q
mental hygiene clinic and family
welfare agency, but the present well
fare structure in the county does
not provide adequate opportunity to
develop these two services.
These facts were brought out in
the report Of the social survey, now
under study, which covered the SUBJ
ject of welfare, corrections, adult
education, recreation and organiza-
ton and structure of social work.
The survey recommended estab-
lishment Of the mental hygiene
clinic and the family welfare asso-
citation but pointed out that ito pro-
vide a basis for their development.
it is necessary. that there be an
understanding of the functions Of
the Public Welfare Department,
modification Of policy and ALLEGATION
Of public funds to enable it to as
sumo full responsibility for all obli-
cations"
Local Control Urged.
Local control of the Welfare De-
partment and a gradual withdrawal
of Community Chest funds now be-
ing spent by the Welfare Depart
ment highlighted the numerous rec
ommendatiols of the study directed
by Clarence M. Pierce, who headed
similar surveys in the District and
surrounding areas. The Arlington
report is the first to be released
outside the District.
A.mental hygiene clinic is highly
advisable" according to the report,
Gin the interests Of adequate welfare
planning"
Frequent need for the clinic was
indicated in Public Welfare Depart
ment records, according to the re-
port, although in some instances
the problems were not too serious
for the skills of a good case worker
Fail in Other Cases.
However" the report declared
there were many others in which
the consultant services of a pSychia-
trist might have been effective in
preventing one or another unfortu-
nate development-the breakup OF
a family, the removal OF child
from home, or an escape into
alcoholism"
For the mental hygiene clinic, the
consultant services OF psychia-
trist on a part-time basis and the
services of two psychiatric workers
were recommended. Organization
on a joint county or regional basis
has the advantage Of reducing ad-
ministrative costs, the report point
ed out, adding that consideration
might be given the expansion of the
clinic already established in Fair
fax to include Arlington.
Regarding THE family welfare
agency, the report said many per-
sons in the community, including
those who would benefit directly
do not recognize the need for such
an agency and, would not be able to
do SO until its advantages were dem
onstrated.
Cites Support.
'1The need for family welfare serv-
ices, however, is clearly indicated,
said the report. This need has
been expressed by personnel con-
nected with welfare agencies, the
court, the. health and nursing pro-
grams, the school, by physicians
ministers and by lay leaders in the
community. The need was further
established by a review of case rec
ords in the Red Cross and the Pub
lie Welfare Department"
An initial unit for Arlington, the
report stated, should provide two
family case workers under director
ship determined by the form in
which the agency is established
Services should be available to the
entire community, both white and
colored, without regard to residence
equations.
The report recommended that
the Family Welfare Association be
.7-oached for suggestions in de-
'-oing final plans for the estab-
lishment of the family welfare
agency