In this edition of the Rutgers School of Social Work alumni magazine, Partnering for Change, you'll read about our new dean, meet some of our recent graduates, and learn how our faculty are addressing some of social work's "Grand Challenges."
Professional Opportunities
Policy Advocacy Manager - Asian American Advocacy Fund (Atlanta, GA)
Community Engagement Coordinator - Family Promise of Union County (Elizabeth, NJ)
Research Assistant - Center for Research and Evaluation on Education and Human Services (Hybrid: Montclair, NJ)
Human Resources Manager - Oasis, A Haven for Women and Children, Inc. (Paterson, NJ)
Harm Reduction Specialist - Black Lives Matter Paterson (Paterson, NJ)
National Policy News Highlights
Federal court blocks ACA coverage for Dreamers
The Hill
“U.S. District Judge Daniel M. Traynor on Monday granted Kansas, alongside 18 other states, a stay regarding a final rule from the Biden administration allowing some Dreamers access to the ACA marketplace, according to court documents. He also granted Kansas and the other states a preliminary injunction barring the federal government ‘enforcing the Final Rule against’ them.”
How to think about the public backlash to the killing of a health care CEO
Vox
“...disregarding human dignity by committing or cheering on an act of violence can’t be the answer. So, what is? Is there a better way to square moral outrage at someone and what they represent, while keeping faith with a belief in their human dignity?”
Can the U.S. Climb Out of Its ‘Unprecedented’ Housing Crisis?
The New York Times
“This housing crisis is largely a supply crisis, and not just because people aren’t selling their homes. The country simply hasn’t built enough new homes to keep pace with a growing population…”
How a Decades-Old Loophole Lets Billionaires Avoid Medicare Taxes
ProPublica
“The trove of tax records behind ProPublica’s “Secret IRS Files” series contains plenty of examples of billionaire financiers who avoided Medicare tax despite earning huge amounts from their companies. In 2016, Steve Cohen, the owner of the New York Mets, paid $0. So did Stephen Schwarzman, head of the investment behemoth Blackstone. Bill Ackman, the headline-grabbing hedge fund manager, was able to shield almost all his income from the tax.”
Regional Policy News Highlights
NJ groups work to increase voter turnout
NJ Spotlight News
“...7% fewer New Jersey voters cast a ballot this year compared to the 2020 presidential election. Working to ensure lower voter participation in elections does not become the norm, a range of faith, labor and community organizations have thrown their support behind the Million Voters Project, which launched last week.”
NJ AG will ask state court to dismiss lawsuit seeking to overturn NJ’s affordable housing rules
Gothamist
“The attorney general’s highly anticipated response comes as New Jersey enters its fourth round of state-mandated affordable housing development under what is known as the Mount Laurel doctrine, which says that all New Jersey municipalities must contribute their “fair share” of low priced housing.”
New South Jersey clinic opens to bridge health care gaps for people leaving jails and prisons
WHYY (NPR)
“National data show that opioid overdose is a leading cause of death among people leaving prisons and jails, especially within the first two weeks of release. Other research shows that the majority of people who leave prison have at least one chronic health condition that needs ongoing treatment, like diabetes, asthma or HIV/AIDS. Others are diagnosed with mental health issues like depression and post-traumatic stress.”
Governor signs new law to limit book bans and protect librarians
New Jersey Monitor
“The “Freedom to Read Act” limits book bans in public schools and libraries and shields librarians from lawsuits and criminal charges filed by folks who find library materials obscene or otherwise objectionable. Murphy signed the bill in the children’s section of the Princeton Public Library, surrounded by a crowd of smiling librarians, lawmakers, civil liberties advocates, and parents.”
Spring Course Highlight
Criminal Justice Policy & Social Justice (34:833:557:90)
offered by the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
Mondays, online, 5:40 to 8:40PM
This course is being facilitated by Rutgers MSW alumna, Marleina Ubel, of New Jersey Policy Perspective!
"The criminal legal system doesn't exist in isolation; it is intertwined with multiple aspects of American life, including housing, employment, education, child rearing, and healthcare, particularly for lower-income and otherwise marginalized groups. In this graduate-level course, we explore the intersection of the criminal legal system, social justice, and public policy. We will bridge theory and practice to uncover the criminal legal system’s far-reaching impact on other systems and the consequences of its encroachment. Students will engage with guest speakers from various backgrounds and explore the impact of the criminal legal system on policy decisions and potential avenues for reform. Students will then translate their knowledge into comprehensive policy proposals aimed at rectifying disparities and promoting social justice."
Upcoming Event
Meditation Mondays: Time Behind, Time Ahead
Presented by the National Museum of African American History and Culture
Monday, December 16th, 2024
6:00pm - 6:45pm
**online**
"Join for a special evening meditation as a practice in liberation. This meditation session provides an opportunity for participants of any experience level to explore the museum’s themes through mindfulness meditation practice. Together you will experience freedom in the present moment through insight into oneself. "
Click here to register for this free event.
Highlight of the week: The 1619 Podcast Listening Guide
"The 1619 Project launched in August 2019 with a special issue of The New York Times Magazine (available as a PDF here), including essays and creative works by journalists, historians, and artists. The project illuminates the legacy of slavery in the contemporary United States, and highlights the contributions of Black Americans to every aspect of American society. In the years since its launch, The 1619 Project and the conversations it has sparked have expanded through new resources, including a podcast, a book-length anthology, and a children's book."
The New York Times released a five-episode 1619 Project podcast shortly after its publication, which can be accessed here (or wherever you listen to podcasts). Now, in addition to the podcast, there are comprehensive podcast episode-learning companions! Each episode can be paired with a listening guide or visual guide that includes questions for content at specific timestamps, as well as an "after listening" activity.
These new insightful questions and activities can be used to invite conversation about the history of slavery and the triumphs of Black Americans in the US. Similar to a book club, these guides can be helpful in facilitating group conversations or programming that seeks to break down The 1619 Project into more accessible and manageable segments. Black History Month occurs each February; this is a great opportunity to explore The 1619 Project or generally learn about history often left out of your typical textbooks.
Review the guides.
You May Also Like
The Social Work Policy Network remains committed to sharing key news updates, policy changes, action opportunities, events & more - with content particularly focused on social justice, equity, and systemic change.
The Social Work Policy Network remains committed to sharing key news updates, policy changes, action opportunities, events & more - with content particularly focused on social justice, equity, and systemic change.