“I’m convinced of this: Good done anywhere is good done everywhere. For a change, start by speaking to people rather than walking by them like they’re stones that don’t matter. As long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late to do some good.” — Dr. Maya Angelou, American poet, memoirist, and activist
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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.
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Professional Opportunities
Camden Parent and Community Organizer - Mastery Schools (Camden, NJ)
Youth Organizer - American Friends Service Committee (Red Bank, NJ)
Communications Associate - Assembly Majority Office (Trenton, NJ)
Development Associate - Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding (remote)
PAID Fellowship & Internship Opportunities:
State Policy Fellow - New Jersey Policy Perspective (hybrid: Trenton, NJ)
Summer State Democracy Policy Intern - League of Conservation Voters (remote)
National Policy News Highlights
Oklahoma governor says he’ll stop plan to collect kids’ immigration status
The Associated Press
“Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said he will stop a plan pushed by the state’s top education official to collect the immigration status of children when they register for public school. The Republican governor said Wednesday he is a staunch opponent of illegal immigration, but that policymakers should focus on targeting those in the country illegally who commit other crimes.”
As Trump Attacks Federal Labor Protections, How Can States Protect Workers?
truthout
“What can state advocates, state-level labor agencies and state legislatures do to preserve and advance labor protections for workers in the face of the anti-worker actions being handed down from the second Trump administration?”
Some Incarcerated Youths Will Get Health Care After Release Under New Law
KFF
“A new federal law aims to better connect incarcerated children and young adults who are eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program to services before their release. The goal is to help prevent them from developing a health crisis or reoffending as they work to reestablish themselves.”
Tracking the Lawsuits Against Trump’s Agenda
The New York Times
“The legal clashes over President Trump’s blizzard of executive actions are intensifying, with new lawsuits and fresh rulings emerging day and night. As of Feb. 12, 18 of those rulings have at least temporarily paused some of the president’s initiatives. Already, the administration has asked higher courts to intervene. Some of these cases could reach the Supreme Court in the weeks and months to come.”
Regional Policy News Highlights
Affordability, transit and school funding: New Jersey’s Democratic candidates for governor debate — and agree — on wide range of issues
WHYY (NPR)
“The general election is still more than nine months away, but the race for governor is already heating up in New Jersey. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, Rep. Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey Education Association President Sean Spiller and former Senate President Steve Sweeney participated in the wide-ranging one-hour and 45-minute debate at Rider University in Lawrenceville.”
Black teens are prosecuted as adults in N.J. at ‘disturbing’ rate, report finds
Human Rights Watch
“The 61-page report released Tuesday by Human Rights Watch, a New York-based nonprofit group, detailed the causes and consequences of New Jersey’s prosecution of children under 18 as adults. … Based on more than 80 interviews and analysis of data from the state Juvenile Justice Commission and New Jersey Department of Corrections, the report concluded children of color, particularly Black youth, are disproportionately waived into the adult system.”
GOP bill would expand automatic voter registration to gun, hunting permits
The New Jersey Monitor
“A group of New Jersey Republicans want to expand automatic voter registration in the state. GOP members in both chambers have introduced legislation that would broaden the types of documents obtained through the Motor Vehicle Commission that trigger automatic voter registration and require voters to be given an opportunity to register when obtaining firearms purchaser ID cards, hunting licenses, and certain types of permits.”
14,000 acres in reported land miscalculations threaten NJ’s goal to build affordable homes
Gothamist
“A Gothamist analysis shows that more than 120 towns are seeking to cut their requirements by a total of 11,256 affordable units, a possible 13% reduction of the state’s goal. The overall amount of land in dispute is larger than Mount Laurel, the town in South Jersey that found itself at the center of a state Supreme Court case 50 years ago that sparked the state's affordable housing mandate known as the Mount Laurel Doctrine.”
Online Workshop
Introduction to Tableau: Visualizing Data Made Easy
Presented by RU Libraries
“This workshop provides a concise introduction to Tableau, a powerful tool for creating interactive data visualizations. Participants will learn how to create interactive dashboards, visualize complex datasets, and uncover insights through dynamic charts and graphs. This hands-on session will guide you through the essentials of Tableau, including data connection, transformation, and storytelling techniques.”
Register here!
Upcoming Events
Historically Speaking Tricia Hersey: We Will Rest!
Presented by the National Museum of African American History and Culture
Tuesday February 18th, 2025
7:00pm - 8:00pm
*online*
Join Tricia Hersey, a New York Times Best-Selling Author and founder of The Nap Ministry, for an immersive reading from her new book We Will Rest! The Art of Escape. We Will Rest! is a thoughtful collection of meditations and poetry with storytelling and powerful original art. Tricia and musician Arin Maya will guide the audience in a Collective Daydreaming activation that taps into community care techniques as a radical form of rest. If you are curious about this event, please listen to the 2022 NPR interview Tricia Hersey here.
To register for this event, click here.
The Albert J. Lewitt Lecture Series presents: From Revolution to Practice - Congress in Action
Presented by the Eagleton Institute of Politics and RevolutionNJ
Thursday February 20th, 2025
1:00pm - 2:00pm, & 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Woodlawn Mansion*
191 Ryders Lane
New Brunswick, New Jersey United States
*Parking registration is required. Attendees must register and park in lots 74, 76 & 82.
This event is presented as part of the Albert W. Lewitt Endowed Lecture Series, an annual lecture delivered by a current or former Member of Congress, a congressional staffer, or an expert on Congress. The series was established in memory of Albert W. Lewitt who worked on Capitol Hill in the 1940s.
The Schedule is as follows:
1:00pm – 2:00 pm
A conversation with Congressman Thomas Kean, Jr. in Legislatures and Politics course - open to all faculty, staff, and students.
5:00pm – 7:30 pm
A panel of young Congressional staffers in a moderated discussion exploring the evolving role of Congress in shaping American democracy, followed by a conversation with Congresswoman Bonnie W. Coleman and reception.
Review the panelist bios and register for both or either session here.
Highlight of the Week:
Take Action on Student Loans
Federal loans are the first resource of financial assistance many students seek after scholarships. With all the drastic policy changes occurring and the policies forthcoming it's best to be prepared, especially as a college student. If you have taken out loans to pay for your education, it's advised to take precautionary measures to prepare for any potentially harmful policies to come that may impact student loans.
The folks at Forbes suggest taking the following steps to insure yourself against attacks on student loans:
Take Screenshots Of Your Student Loan Dashboard At The Department Of Education Website
This dashboard contains critical information including a summary of a borrower’s current student loans and their status. In addition, as of just a few weeks ago, the dashboard contains a new IDR tracker for borrowers enrolled in an income-driven repayment plan, telling them how much time they have left before they qualify for student loan forgiveness, which is a feature of all current IDR programs.
Download The Federal Student Loan Data File From Your Department Of Education Account
To download your student loan data file, remain logged in at your StudentAid.gov account. From the dashboard, click the “View Details” button in the "My Aid" box. Then, Click the "Download My Aid Data" in the top right corner. Save this file for your records. Note that you can only access the data file using a desktop or laptop computer — you won’t be able to access it on a mobile device.
Take Screenshots Of Your Student Loan Forgiveness Tracker For Public Service Loan Forgiveness
To view and retain your PSLF records, click the “Track Your PSLF Progress" link in the "Quick Links" box on your StudentAid.gov dashboard while logged into your account. Take a screenshot of your PSLF progress bar showing your qualifying payments. Then, navigate to each of the other features of the PSLF Tracker. Toward the top of the tracker you should see three tabs. One tab will take you to a month-by-month breakdown of qualifying PSLF payments that count toward student loan forgiveness; take screenshots of each of those pages so that you have a record of your qualifying PSLF payment history. Another tab will take you to your employment certification history; take screenshots of this, as well.
Certify Your Public Service Loan Forgiveness Employment With The Department Of Education For Student Loan Forgiveness Credit
Borrowers on track for PSLF may also want to certify their employment if it's been awhile since their last employment certification. Payments only get counted toward student loan forgiveness when the borrower completes and submits an employment certification form, verifying that they are working in qualifying PSLF employment. Be sure to use the online PSLF Help Tool at StudentAid.gov to complete the employment certification process.
Shore Up Your Student Loan Account Security In Your Department Of Education Account
If you haven’t changed your password in awhile for your StudentAid.gov account, now may be a good time to do so... set up two-factor authentication, which requires an additional code be sent to your phone or email address to be able to log in. If you’re concerned that your personal identifying information may have been compromised, you can contact the three national credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to put a security freeze on your credit report.
Download Student Loan Records From Your Loan Servicer Account
The Department of Education outsources student loan servicing to four primary companies: MOHELA, EdFinancial, Aidvantage, and Nelnet. Your online accounts with these loan servicers may have additional information not found in your StudentAid.gov account, such as detailed payment records, as well as notices, letters, and other correspondence. Download and retain these records to supplement the materials from StudentAid.gov.
Download Key Student Loan Program Pages From The Department of Education Website
While there are no indications that the administration plans on shutting down the Department of Education’s website, it may not be a bad idea to download or take screenshots of key pages for student loan programs that you may be pursuing.
