social service

Definition of social service

: an activity designed to promote social well-being specifically : organized philanthropic assistance (such as counseling, job training, or financial support) It operates like a mall with specialty shops, treating students like customers, or the adult clients of a social service, rather than as young people in need of an education for a worthy life. — Joseph Featherstone Most states are struggling with skimpy resources and a system of uncoordinated social services that is totally inadequate to serve a population of individuals whose needs are bottomless. — Constance Holden —often used before another noun social service agenciesa social service project

Examples of social service in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Advocates for limiting the role of police have pointed to Eugene as an example of social service providers and law enforcement working in harmony. — Scottie Andrew, CNN, "This town of 170,000 replaced some cops with medics and mental health workers. It's worked for over 30 years," 5 July 2020 Both Swift and Black also want cities that are considering replicating their program to invest in the rest of their social service systems as well. — oregonlive, "Police cuts give Portland alternative first responder program a boost -- but can it respond to the moment?," 4 July 2020 Council has long worked to include social service funding in the operating budget, choosing priorities and setting the amount of money that flows to outside agencies. — Sharon Coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "During cry to defund the police, new data shows who gets Cincinnati social service money and who oversees it," 16 June 2020 Sailon immediately worked her various social service contacts around Denver, ultimately connecting the man with the local Veterans Affairs office and getting him a new wheelchair. — Lindsay Schnell, USA TODAY, "Defund police? Some cities have already started, investing in mental health instead," 23 June 2020 The Group Violence Intervention model from the National Network for Safe Communities uses partnerships among community members, law enforcement and social service providers to directly engage with people involved in street groups. — NBC News, "Chicago, crime and the complicated truth behind 'defund the police' efforts," 20 June 2020 About 400 social service groups responded between April 20 and May 8 – including organizations based in all 50 states. — Dyana Mason, The Conversation, "National survey shows that social service nonprofits are trying to help more people on smaller budgets as the coronavirus pandemic and economic downturn unfold," 19 June 2020 The money saved by eliminating a gun violence reduction team, school resource officers and transit division will now be redirected to social service programs. — Greg Norman | Fox News, Fox News, "Portland protesters rally outside mayor's apartment after $16 million cut to police department's budget falls short of demands," 18 June 2020 The social service commissioner's job has been vacant since Beshear took over as governor in December. — Deborah Yetter, The Courier-Journal, "Miranda-Straub, former head of domestic violence center, to lead state social services," 17 June 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'social service.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

9 Jul 2020

Cite this Entry

“Social service.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20service. Accessed 15 Jul. 2020.

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