Professional Opportunities
Research Assistant, the Youth and Family Interview Team - Rutgers School of Social Work Center for Prevention Science
College Access & Career Success Program Coordinator - Sadie Nash Leadership Project (Hybrid: Newark, NJ)
Community Outreach Coordinator - City Green (Clifton, NJ)
Paralegal Case Manager - Legal Services of New Jersey (Hybrid: Edison, NJ)
Paid Internship Opportunities:
The Cancer Leaders Like Us Internship Program - National LGBT Cancer Network
National Policy News Highlights
Biden’s Clemency Grant Is a Good Start
The Brennan Center for Justice
“The president commuted the sentences of some 1,500 people who were placed on home confinement during the Covid-19 pandemic and have been serving their sentences while reintegrating into their communities. He also pardoned 39 individuals who were convicted of nonviolent crimes.”
Fewer than half of Latinos in the U.S. have adequate health insurance coverage
The Hill
“Latinos in the U.S. also appear to be slightly less likely to have health insurance, but be underinsured compared to the overall population but more likely to report having been without health insurance at some point during the past 12 months.”
‘Putting our children first’: How gun safety as a nonpartisan issue helped local candidates win
The 19th
“More than half of candidates who went through a training with Moms Demand Action won their races in the 2023-2024 election cycle — and the gun safety group says that one of its big takeaways is that nonpartisan messaging is key to wins, especially down ballot.”
Ethics Alive! Anti-DEI Laws, Moral Distress, and Student Roles
The New Social Worker
“From 2021 to 2023, a concerning trend has emerged as 22 states have introduced or enacted 40 pieces of legislation that would restrict DEI initiatives and the teaching of DEI at publicly funded institutions of higher education. These laws may present social work educators with a conflict between their ethical and legal responsibilities.”
Regional Policy News Highlights
New plan to boost voter turnout: send mail voting applications as 18th birthday gift
The New Jersey Monitor
“A Senate panel approved legislation that would require the state to send a vote-by-mail application to New Jersey residents upon their 18th birthday in what the bill’s sponsor said is a bid to boost turnout. The legislation, which passed the Senate’s state government committee in a 3-0 vote Monday, would require county clerks send mail ballots to registered voters when they reach the age of majority.”
New Jersey, Minnesota sue Glock over switch that allows pistols to fire like machine gun
WHYY (NPR)
“New Jersey and Minnesota sued Glock on Thursday, calling on the gunmaker to stop selling firearms that can be adapted with dime-sized switches to fire up to 1,200 rounds a minute. New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison also announced that top law enforcement officials in 14 states and DC are forming a coalition to reduce gun violence by coordinating enforcement of the states’ consumer protection laws.”
NJ looks to blunt social media impact on eating disorders
NJ Spotlight News
“...a bill that cleared an Assembly committee on Monday seeks to address this issue by prohibiting social media platforms from using a design, algorithm or feature that the platform knows could cause child users to develop eating disorders. This can also include promoting diet products.”
Governor Murphy grants clemency to 36, with ‘fairness and not favor’ as guide
The New Jersey Monitor
“Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday pardoned 33 people and shortened the prison sentences of three more, the first time he has exercised his clemency powers in his seven years in office. The people granted clemency have criminal records for all sorts of offenses, from shoplifting to murder, with a majority having convictions for non-violent drug offenses. They were recommended for clemency by an advisory board created in June and fit certain categories, such as non-violent offenders who have stayed out of trouble for at least a decade.”
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
New Jersey Community and Corrections Working Summit 2025
Presented by the Latino Action Network Foundation
Tuesday & Wednesday, January 7th and 8th, 2025
8:30am - 3:30pm
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ
"The Working Summit 25 is a reconvening of State Leadership, Returning Citizens, the Advocate community, affected Families & Incarcerated voices throughout NJ to address the continued gross overrepresentation of African Americans and Latinos throughout the Criminal Justice system in New Jersey.
"Over the last twenty years after the first summit in 2003, New Jersey has achieved major criminal justice reforms, including Police Licensing, Mental Health Teams, Use of Force Directives, no-cost Public Defender services, Sentencing Reforms, Cannabis legalization, Bail Reform, and Isolated Confinement laws. COVID-19 legislation released nearly 5,000 individuals, and over 83,000 citizens regained voting rights. These reforms have reduced crime rates and showcased community action's impact.
"The 2025 NJ Community & Corrections Working Summit will unite advocates, state and community leaders, decision-makers, and incarcerated and justice-impacted voices to address racial disparities in the criminal justice system and create an action plan of reforms and transparency. Through this action, we will create a report detailing our plan for reforms over the next 20 years."
Click here to register for this free event.
Click here to review the event's agenda.
Highlight of the Week:
ACLU NYC College & Communities Advocacy Institute
If you are between the ages of 18 and 24, you are eligible to apply for the ACLU's NYC Colleges & Communities Advocacy Institute!
The ACLU Colleges & Communities Advocacy Institute will convene in New York City at NYU Law Center for a gathering of high school graduates (ages 18-24) from across the United States to participate in a long-weekend learning experience for the next generation of social justice advocates, focused on early career development.
Students will engage directly with ACLU lawyers, lobbyists, community activists, and other experts working to defend the civil rights and civil liberties that are critical to a free and open society. Through classroom sessions, lectures, and policy discussions, students will leave with a deep understanding of working in the careers of law, advocacy, and non-profit management, as well as return home with honed professional skills to aid them in their early career.
The ACLU Advocacy Institute is looking for students who demonstrate a keen interest in civil liberties issues and social justice advocacy. While an interested in a related future career in advocacy, law, or non-profit management is recommended, students are not required to have previous familiarity with civil liberties issues or advocacy methodologies.
The program costs $250 to attend, but scholarships are available through application.
Space for the program is filling fast, and applications are being accepted on a rolling basis, so apply ASAP! You can apply here.
For more information on the program, visit the website.
