understanding of human development, behavior and the social, economic and cultural institutions and interactions. Social work professionals working with families and institutions have helped to provide and advance the following social impacts: Civil Rights Unemployment Insurance Disability Pay Workers’ Compensation Reduced Mental Health Stigma Medicaid and Medicare Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention In the United States, social work has been around for over 100 years, with notable pioneers such as Jane Addams, Frances Perkins, Whitney M. Young, Jr., Harry Hopkins, Dorothy Height and Jeannette Rankin. 3 Levels of Social Work