Go to Rutgers University–Camden site
Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs
Building Knowledge for Policy and Practice in Southern New Jersey
strategic planning, assessment, technical assistance, training
An innovative social-emotional learning (SEL) program established in the Clayton Public School District will be expanded in up to 30 schools across New Jersey, thanks to a legislative effort that became law on May 11, 2021. Implementation of the program will be evaluated by the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs at Rutgers University–Camden.
SJIPH is now accepting proposals for innovative, shared research projects between Rowan University and Rutgers University-Camden researchers and community-based organizations in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem, Atlantic, and Cape May Counties. Grants will be made up to $20,000.
Given the uncertainty that families face because of the public health and economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, direct service work has become indispensable. WRI developed a qualitative evaluation project early in the pandemic to examine the range of responses from a group of direct service organizations as they acknowledged, responded to, and worked to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on the families and communities they serve.
WRI joins the Community Planning and Advocacy Council (CPAC) in Camden County as its research partner, focused on evaluating the efficacy of current services and assessing needs. The Human Services Needs Assessment in Camden County will employ quantitative and qualitative analysis using a mix of county data mining, stakeholder interviews, and virtual focus groups to determine the county’s priority needs and service areas.
WRI is working with the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) on a training, process and outcome evaluation for New Jersey DCF’s Kinship Navigator Program (KNP). New Jersey’s KNP supports caregivers who have taken on the responsibility of caring for their relatives’ children.
WRI is partnering with the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development and Cooper’s Ferry Partnership to gather valuable information about the region’s workforce. The project, Seeking Work in South Jersey, aims to better understand the barriers facing both employers looking to hire and job seekers looking to connect or re-connect to the workforce.