David A. Rochefort is assistant professor in the political science department at Northeastern University. He teaches courses in public policy and research methods to undergraduates and students in the Master of Public Administration program. He has also worked as a health planning specialist and policy consultant for government agencies in the states of Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

• Introduction 1. Theoretical Perspectives on Social Welfare Policy 2. Origins of the "Third Psychiatric Revolution": The Community Mental Health Centers Act of 1963 3. Public Policies for a Graying America: Medicare, the Older Americans Act, Social Security, and Supplemental Security Income 4. Responding to the New Dependency: The Family Assistance Plan of 1969 5. Toward a Theory of Policy Change