We must do more.
Over the past few months, we have made important strides in our work to improve lives and communities in South Jersey despite facing unprecedented and uncertain times. We also know that we need to do more. We have recommitted to equity and justice in all that we do; sought out new partners and innovative opportunities to study the impact of COVID-19; and built out our capacity to research and evaluate the issues that matter to all of us. You will find some examples below.
We always welcome questions, comments, and ideas. Please reach us at wrand@camden.rutgers.edu.
Stay safe and social distance,
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Darren Spielman
Executive Director |
Sarah Allred
Faculty Director |
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RESEARCH
COVID-19 Daily Tracker WRI plots the progress of COVID-19 across counties in New Jersey. The plots, inspired by those at The New York Times, show deaths (y-axis) on a logarithmic scale over time (x-axis). A logarithmic scale shows different growth rates as lines of different steepness. The page is updated twice per week on Tuesday and Friday at 9 a.m.
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RESEARCH
Multidisciplinary Research on Environments and COVID-19 Mortality A new study led by WRI Faculty Director Sarah Allred and Emily Greenfield, an associate professor of social work at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, will seek to understand local environments and their influence on COVID-19 mortality, not just at the county level, but also at the municipality level. The researchers will consider questions such as: Why is mortality so high in some counties compared to other counties? Do long-term care facilities play a role? The underlying age of the population? More pre-existing conditions? Proximity to New York and Philadelphia? Or is it related to community-level factors, like poverty, race and ethnicity, or community cohesion? Read more.
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Michael Hayes, author of the study and an assistant professor of public policy and administration at Rutgers University–Camden presents his findings during an online forum May 13.
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RESEARCH
Are South Jersey School Districts Prepared for Recession South Jersey’s largest school districts are facing unprecedented financial distress due to shortfalls in federal and state funding caused by reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic. A new research report released by WRI provides insight into the scope of how this imminent crisis will impact communities and families across the region. “Seventeen of South Jersey’s largest 25 school districts are at risk of being unable to sustain pre-pandemic levels of K-12 education,” says Michael Hayes, author of the study “Are South Jersey School Districts Prepared for the Next Recession?” and an assistant professor of public policy and administration at Rutgers University–Camden. “These more-at-risk districts would need to raise local property taxes by at least 5 percent to counteract a 10 percent reduction in school aid.” Read more about this report.
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ENGAGE
Exploring civic engagement and youth WRI is partnering with the NJ YMCA State Alliance (NJYSA) to better understand the perspectives of young people and stakeholders about building youth civic engagement in their communities through focus groups and interviews conducted with youth, young adults, and NJYSA stakeholders. NJYSA initiated this project to learn more about how it could improve service delivery and increase civic engagement among young people. Learn more.
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ENGAGE
Assessing Human Services Needs in Burlington and Salem Counties Every two years, counties are required by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) to study community needs and evaluate current services using both a quantitative and qualitative approach. This year, WRI is partnering with the Human Services Advisory Councils (HSAC) in Burlington and Salem Counties to assess the strength of current services for children and families and identify local needs. Read more.
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BUILD
Preparing HeroCare for the Future HeroCare Connect is a partnership of Deborah Heart and Lung Center and Cooper University Health Care serving veterans, active duty, and retired military and their families. This program combines the expertise in over 75 specialties of Deborah Heart and Lung Center and Cooper University Health Care with state-of-the-art hospital facilities and outpatient locations, offering broad access to services throughout Southern New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Since March 2020, WRI, along with consultants who bring expertise on the population and legislative aspect of this project, have been assisting with aligning the program goals with the MISSION Act to become a model of specialty health care service for veterans, active duty, and retired military in the area. WRI will collect and analyze data, conduct focus groups with direct-care staff, and assist in drafting a sustainability plan. This work is funded by the Nicholson Foundation and continues through January 2021.
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EVENTS
The Walter & Leah Rand Awards and Scholarship Dinner, originally scheduled for April 30, is now virtual on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. Details will be finalized and links provided in the coming weeks. Registration and sponsorship availability can be accessed here. For questions, please contact Mary Godleski at 856-225-2195 or mg1550@camden.rutgers.edu.
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Joining the Fight Against Hunger COVID-19 has impacted students in many ways, including heightening food insecurity. A growing number of students rely on the Raptor Pantry on the Camden campus for reliable access to healthy food. We ask that you consider supporting this important campus asset. Learn more about donating.
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