Biennial report of the State Board of Charities and Public Welfare

Biennial Report for 1920 to 1922, submitted to Governor Cameron Morrison, opens with a short statement on child welfare and the importance of mentally and physically healthy children to the good of state, followed by an analysis of the problems facing all public welfare in North Carolina: ignorance and indifference of the public as to the extent and seriousness of social disabilities, a sentimental attitude rather than a scientific spirit, a short-sighted economic policy in handling social problems, lack of facilities to train and treat defectives and delinquents, and lack of trained leadership. Reports follow from the Bureaus of County Organization, Child Welfare, Mental Health and Hygiene, and Education and Promotion. The Bureau of Institutional Supervision discusses the status of county homes for the aged and infirm, jails, chain gangs, juvenile delinquent schools, and maternity homes for young girls. The state institutions present tabular summaries of patient population and financial status. One primary concern was the financial burden placed on the state when "the feebleminded breed feebleminded." A case study of the "Wake family" (fictitious name) follows with a listing of the public welfare services and related costs that accumulate when mental illness and criminal habits are passed on to future generations. The Board's recommendation is that more attention be paid to prevention by provision of adequate staff, facilities, and other resources.