Western Reserve Child Welfare Council.

The Western Reserve Child Welfare Council was founded in 1911, following the first Western Reserve Conference on the Care of Neglected and Dependent Children, held in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1910. The organizers of this conference recommended a permanent organization be formed to promote cooperation between both public and private child welfare agencies in the Western Reserve. Membership in the Council consisted of two appointed representatives from each agency. The Council produced reports addressing such issues as child labor, infant care, education, institutional care, and dependent mothers. The Council also served as a watchdog organization that could recommend action to the City of Cleveland on child advocacy issues. Leading members included James R. Garfield, Chester C. Bolton, Gilbert P. Jennings, and Dr. Richard Bolt. In 1914, the Western Reserve Child Welfare Council changed its name to the Cleveland Welfare Council. In 1917, it joined with the Cleveland Federation for Charity and Philanthropy in a single organization named the Welfare Federation of Cleveland.

From the description of Western Reserve Child Welfare Council records, 1910-1917. (Rhinelander District Library). WorldCat record id: 43752897

The Western Reserve Child Welfare Council was founded in 1911, following the first Western Reserve Conference on the Care of Neglected and Dependent Children, held at the Engineer's Building in Cleveland, Ohio, November 17-19, 1910. The Cleveland Committee on Cooperation had invited members of various child welfare organizations to form a "Central Committee" in order to arrange a conference for Cleveland such as had been organized in Philadelphia the previous year. Following the conference's success in Cleveland, the Central Committee recommended that a permanent organization be formed to promote cooperation between child welfare agencies in the Western Reserve. It was named the Western Reserve Child Welfare Council, and its membership consisted of two appointed representatives from each agency, both private and public.

During its seven year history, the council produced reports and addressed such issues as child labor, infant care, education, institutional care, and dependent mothers with infants. Through these reports, the council also served as a watchdog organization that could recommend action by the City of Cleveland on child advocacy issues. Leading members included James R. Garfield, Chester C. Bolton, Gilbert P. Jennings, and Dr. Richard Bolt.

In 1914, the Western Reserve Child Welfare Council changed its name to the Cleveland Welfare Council. In 1917, the council's members voted to join with the Cleveland Federation for Charity and Philanthropy in a single organization named the Cleveland Welfare Federation. The federation's purpose would be to encourage cooperation between all city welfare agencies and to raise and distribute funds to the area welfare organizations.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the Western Reserve Child Welfare Counci l

From the guide to the Western Reserve Child Welfare Council Records, 1910-1917, (Western Reserve Historical Society)