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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.
Thank you for your continued support of the Social Work Policy Network!
Professional Opportunities
Program Associate, NYC Community Interpreter Bank - New York Immigration Coalition (New York City, NY)
Manager of Organizing and Strategy - New York Immigration Coalition (New York City, NY)
Government Affairs Advocate - Climate Change and Clean Energy - League of Conservation Voters (Washington, DC)
Homeownership Project Coordinator - Philadelphia VIP (Philadelphia, PA)
PAID Fellowship Opportunities:
Graduate Fellowship - Eagleton Institute for Politics (New Brunswick, NJ)
Summer Organizing Fellow - Sister District Project (remote)
Engagement & Leadership Summer Fellow - National Council of Jewish Women (Washington, DC)
Civic Health Fellowship - Vot-ER (online)
National Policy News Highlights
Hospitals that paused youth gender-affirming care continued controversial intersex surgeries, group says
The 19th
“Several hospitals and doctors have complied with Trump’s order, announcing in recent weeks that they have halted gender-affirming care, though some have resumed care based on ongoing litigation. In some cases, those same health centers that have stopped gender-affirming care have also largely continued to perform controversial sex-altering operations in the form of intersex pediatric surgeries, according to interACT.”
The arrest of a pro-Palestinian immigrant should worry every American
Vox
“Civil rights advocates are accusing the Trump administration of trampling the First Amendment following the arrest of an immigrant who was involved with pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement reportedly showed up at Mahmoud Khalil’s university-owned apartment in Manhattan on Saturday and arrested him without telling him or his pregnant US citizen wife why. They later informed his attorney that they were revoking his green card, claiming that Khalil had “led activities aligned to Hamas” but not charging him with a crime.”
Trump administration empties Guantánamo of migrants, flies all back to US
The Hill
“The Trump administration’s plans to detain migrants in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, hit another roadblock this week after all 40 such individuals held there were sent back to the United States, with no future deportation flights scheduled to the island. A Defense official confirmed to The Hill Thursday there are “zero” migrants being held at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay…”
How Corporate America Is Retreating From D.E.I.
The Upshot (New York Times)
"Household-name companies, like Walmart and Meta, have scaled back diversity, equity and inclusion goals in recent months. These brands are part of a widespread retreat happening across corporate America, according to a New York Times analysis of annual financial filings…So far this year the number of companies in the S&P 500 that used the language “diversity, equity and inclusion” in these filings has fallen by nearly 60 percent from 2024."
Regional Policy News Highlights
It’s hard to keep track of ICE detainees, families say, adding to distress
NJ Spotlight News
“Families of detained immigrants say they are facing heightened uncertainty and fear because they often can’t find their loved ones once they are incarcerated in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention system. These families describe being unable to consistently locate or communicate with their family members. They fault delays in the online detainee tracker system because detainees are often transferred between facilities.”
South Camden residents demand change from EMR after scrapyard fire
WHYY (NPR)
“A handful of Waterfront South residents gathered outside the sewage treatment plant next to the scrapyard and at EMR’s U.S. headquarters in Camden Tuesday morning, calling on the company to answer their questions, take better health and safety precautions and even move its metal recycling facility out of the neighborhood.”
State police settle lawsuit over yearslong delays in processing expungement orders
New Jersey Monitor
“Settlement terms, announced Thursday, require new transparency and accountability measures that require the agency to create a website where people petitioning for expungements can track their requests. State police will also be required to submit monthly reports for 18 months to the state public defender’s office and a mediator on expungement processing statistics, as well as publicly post the data.”
From Health Care to Highways: How Federal Funding Shapes New Jersey
New Jersey Policy Perspective
“Federal funds play a crucial role in supporting state government services that protect and provide for New Jerseyans. Because of this funding, New Jersey can ensure clean water flows from the tap, children receive healthy meals at schools, state departments can repair roads and rail lines, and residents can access routine medical checkups.”
Upcoming Events
Governing New Jersey: In Conversation with NJ Attorney General Matt Platkin
Facilitated by BlueWaveNJ, New Jersey 11th for Change
Tuesday March 18th, 2025
6:30pm
University Hall Conference Center (7th Floor)
Montclair State University
1 Normal Ave
Montclair, NJ 07043
The role that Democratic Attorneys General play in protecting democracy and the rule of law is more important than ever. Under the Trump Administration, Democratic AG's were routinely successful in taking on the Trump Administration’s efforts to undermine the rule of law and rollback key protections. Join to hear from New Jersey's Attorney General in a discussion with former US Secretary Of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, in their governing New Jersey Series on the steps New Jersey's top law enforcement officer is making to protect our rights and uphold the rule of law. To register for this event and submit questions, click here.
New Jersey State Budget Public Hearings
The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Assembly Budget Committee will be conducting their respective public hearings on the Fiscal Year 2026 State Budget. This is your opportunity to review the budget and advocate for what you believe should be funded!
You can begin registering to testify at one of the public hearings to be held by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and the Assembly Budget Committee on the proposed State Budget for Fiscal Year 2026. Every attempt will be made to honor your request, but the committee may have to reschedule some individuals should the requested times be oversubscribed.
Participants will only be allowed to testify at one Senate public hearing and/or one Assembly public hearing. Your presentation may include information pertaining to more than one chapter, office, location, etc. The hearings will be taking place the following dates:
Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
- Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 10:00 AM
- NJIT Campus Center Atrium 150 Bleeker Street, Newark, NJ 07102
- Thursday, April 10, 2025, 10:00 AM
- online
Assembly Budget Committee
- Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 9:30 AM
- State House Annex, Committee Room 11, 4th Floor 145 W. State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
- Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 9:30 AM
- State House Annex, Committee Room 11, 4th Floor 145 W. State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
Register for any of the hearings here.
Highlight of the Week
The New Jersey Budget
The legislature is busier than usual right now, and it's not just because of the new presidential administration—it's budget season!! At the beginning of each calendar year, the NJ Governor prepares to give a budget address for the upcoming fiscal year, which runs July 1 to June 30. New Jersey's constitution mandates that the Governor must give their budget before a joint session of the Legislature, which shall be convened at 12 noon on a date on or before the fourth Tuesday in February in each year. In an additional strain, New Jersey also must pass a balanced budget with no deficit. The government will shut down if the budget is not signed by midnight on June 30.
So, why is the budget important? It determines which programs, organizations, and offices will receive funding (or cuts) from the state government. The Governor's proposed budget $58.05 billion is the largest in our state's history, and will take a great effort to pass. But legislators aren't the only folks who can lend their voices to the proposed budget... everyone has an opportunity to provide their feedback at a single hearing! In the events listed above, you can register to attend a hearing (in person or online) to provide your feedback.
The budget proposal is over 600 pages...but don't be afraid. There are organizations that can help understand the budget and highlight social policy areas that will be affected. New Jersey Policy Perspective has provided their reaction to the proposed budget, which covers numerous policy areas relevant to social work. Keep an eye on their publications so you can their expert analysis!
If you are interested in learning more about the budget process in New Jersey, you can visit the websites below.
Office of Management and Budget - Understanding the Budget
NJ Full Budget
