Walter Rand Institute

Cumberland County

Focus Groups as Bi-Directional Learning Spaces: Lessons from the WRI Colorectal Cancer Project 

Posted in Cumberland County, IMPACT Blog, Public-Population Health, Salem County

Author: Kiersten Westley Henson  WRI recently concluded a project—funded by the South Jersey Institute for Population Health—examining the factors that impact colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates to inform interventions that reduce cancer risk, promote early detection, and strengthen health outcomes across Southern New Jersey’s underserved populations. This project also offers a compelling example of how focus groups—criticized at times as extractive research tools—can be reimagined as symbiotic, two-way learning experiences when… continue reading

Supporting Healthy Communities: WRI’s Partnerships with Regional Hospital Networks on Community Health Needs Assessments and Addressing Community Needs  

Posted in 25th Anniversary, Atlantic County, Cumberland County, Gloucester County, IMPACT Blog, Public-Population Health, Salem County, Social Services Delivery

Authors: Devon Ziminski, Natalie Passov As part of WRI’s 25th anniversary activities, we are highlighting a series of collaborations with our partners in the South Jersey region and across the State. We’re celebrating National Public Health Week by sharing our fruitful partnerships with AtlantiCare and Inspira Health. WRI has collaborated with both health systems over… continue reading

Inspira Health Community Health Needs Assessment 2025-2027 – Regional and County Breakout Reports

Inspira Health Community Health Needs Assessment 2025-2027 – Regional and County Breakout Reports

Posted in Cumberland County, Gloucester County, Public-Population Health, Salem County

Authors: Devon Ziminski, Madeleine Alger, Carla Villacis, Amanda Ekelburg The Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs (WRI) partnered with Inspira Health to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) in Inspira Health’s service region of Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties. The recently released regional CHNA (2025-2027) provides a detailed overview of the unique health-related… continue reading

Addressing Social Determinants of Health through Family Advocate Support in Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem Counties

Posted in Cumberland County, Gloucester County, IMPACT Blog, Salem County, Social Services Delivery

Authors: Madeliene Alger, Kristin Curtis, and Priyal Shah The Family Strengthening Network (FSN), an initiative (project) of the United Advocacy Group, is a non-profit organization working in Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties to empower families in achieving their goals by pairing each family with a Family Advocate (FA) free of charge. The FA collaborates with… continue reading

Strengthening South Jersey Families: Reflections from a 10-Year Evaluation of the Whole Family Approach

Posted in Cumberland County, Gloucester County, IMPACT Blog, Salem County, Social Services Delivery

By: Mavis Asiedu-Frimpong, Madeliene Alger, Carla Villacis A few months ago, the Senator Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs was asked to participate in a Family Impact Seminar focused on how to better support low-income families across New Jersey. These seminars are targeted specifically for legislators across the State, and it was perfect timing for… continue reading