four could live on decently by the Labor Department (HOFF, 134).Block grants also began under Nixon’s term. In 1972, the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act set up a program for matching federal and state funds through revenue sharing. This distributed $83 billion to state and local governments between 1972 and 1986. $16 billion dollars was distributed under Nixon’s budget for 1973-1975. Block grants were created to get rid of “categorical grants” that had originated during the New Deal. No applications needed reviewing and recipients could use the money to their own discretion of priorities (GREENE, 311-313).Congress approved three new block grants during Nixon’s administration. The Comprehensive Employment and Training Act, which provided job training and public service employment to recipients, and a Community Development Block Grant. Title XX of the Social Security Act was also formed containing the Revenue Sharing Act. Under this act, the states received the block grants on the basis of population with state matching required (DAY, 351). Each state receiving funds had to have at least one of the following goals:- Reduce the dependency of the clients and help them to gain economic dependence.- Prevent or remedy neglect, exploitation of children and adults, unable to protect their own interests, including the preservation, reuniting, or rehabilitation of family systems.- Provide for the least intrusive care, either community based or home care.- Secure institutional care when other kinds of care are inappropriate and provide services to those so placed (DAY,351)DEFINITIONS-NEW FEDERALISM- a term given by Ronald Reagan to Nixon’s dismantling of existing Great Society programs and instead giving federal control programs over to the states (DAY).-GREAT SOCIETY- defined by President Johnson as “One that assured an adequate quality of life for the less fortunate.” Public program...
