Socially vulnerable counties face higher overdose deaths and treatment needs, findings that could help prioritize funding and programming responses, according to Rutgers School of Social Work researchers.

On December 18, 2025, students in the Master of Social Work (MSW) course “Evaluation of Social Work Practice and Programs” wrapped up the fall semester by presenting the results of their program evaluation projects that bridged research, theory, and practice. The final presentations showcased students’ ability to apply quantitative and qualitative research methods to real-world social work settings, demonstrating skills that are essential for ethical, evidence-informed practice.

For Max Gatto, Rutgers School of Social Work’s Nonprofit and Public Management Certificate wasn’t just an academic credential. It was an investment in his community, his leadership, and a career dedicated to service. And as he helps bring thousands of meals to Trenton’s most vulnerable residents, the impact of that investment continues to grow.

When agitated dementia patients wander or shout through the night, families and caregivers understandably feel the need to treat this frightening and potentially dangerous behavior. Antipsychotic medications are often resorted to with such patients, contributing to increases in antipsychotic treatment rates among older people. 

Rutgers researchers evaluate the early-stage implementation of Family Connects NJ and its role in advancing maternal and child health throughout the state.

Rutgers School of Social Work will be represented at the Society for Social Work (SSWR)’s 30th Annual Conference from January 14-18, 2026 by a number of presentations by faculty, postdoctoral associates, doctoral students, and staff.

“Pretty scarlet,” says Peter Bridge, an alumnus of Rutgers School of Social Work. Now 83, Bridge continues to show his loyalty by proudly displaying the Rutgers “R” on his car and supporting programming at the School. He describes his transformative years at Rutgers as “a wonderful experience spent among so many great teachers and colleagues," emphasizing that the lessons he learned extended far beyond the classroom.

With mental health concerns at historic levels among young people, a Rutgers professor joins a national call to create context-driven approaches to grief counseling.

At a Central New Jersey senior center, an unexpected friendship and extraordinary bond have formed between two social workers whose careers began generations apart. One is just entering the field with hope and determination; the other, now a resident of the senior center, spent 65 years shaping it with grit, compassion, and an unwavering belief in humanity. Linking their stories is Rutgers School of Social Work and a shared understanding of what it truly means to care for others.