The purpose of this report is to inform the organization’s advocacy efforts to maximize the capacity of services provided to individuals with autism in New Jersey. This research examines two professions within the autism professional workforce landscape – behavior analysts and psychiatrists – of New Jersey and two comparable states, selected by Autism New Jersey.
Topic
News
Dr. Rushing Talks About AI for Sickle Cell and Beyond
Dr. Melinda Rushing recently appeared on the podcast Zora Talks. In this podcast, Dr. Rushing breaks down what sickle cell really is, why it disproportionately affects people of color, and how her team is developing a new approach called Clinically Guided AI to transform how doctors predict and manage care.
Heldrich Report: Stability, Shortages, and Shifts in NJ Teacher Workforce
New Jersey continues to face teacher shortages in critical subjects, while overall workforce levels remain steady, according to a new report released by the Heldrich Center. The report, New Jersey’s Teacher Workforce: 2025 Legislative Report, offers a decade-long perspective on teacher supply, exits, and workforce challenges, drawing on data from the New Jersey Statewide Data System.
NJSPL: Increasing Enrollment of Paid Family Leave
Over the last decade, many states have implemented some form of mandatory paid family leave policies to help address the lack of coverage at the national level. Researchers have been examining data related to paid family leave enrollment, and found that overall enrollment for paid leave increased for both mothers and fathers between 2000 and 2024 in the U.S., from 29% to 58% for fathers and 47% to 54% for mothers.
“Work Trends RU” Podcast with James Moore, Ph.D.
Listen to the latest episode of the Heldrich Center’s Work Trends RU podcast, featuring James Moore, Ph.D., Principal at KPMG. Dr. Moore reflects on his career and discusses the need to modernize workforce and unemployment systems, discusses the critical role of frontline staff and gaps in training for workforce professionals, and considers how AI and technology can improve services for job seekers.
Ian Lefcourte (MCRP ’14) Receives Prestigious Barbara Grace Award
Ian Lefcourte, AICP, a 2014 graduate of the Bloustein School’s Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) program, has been honored with the 2025 Barbara Grace Award.
Bloustein School Brings Policy Expertise to Second Gubernatorial Debate
In co-hosting the final debate before Election Day, Rutgers scholars worked to elevate the public policy discourse.
For the policy wonks from Bloustein, the focus will be on the candidates’ promises and how, after months of collaborating with ABC7/WABC-TV New York, 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia, Noticias Univision 41, and the performing arts center, millions of New Jersey voters were better informed as a result.
NJSPL Report: The Role of Quality Ratings in Long-Term Care
Researchers evaluated the quality of nursing homes in NJ relative to national trends and analyzed data from the CMS’ Nursing Home Compare five-star public reporting system to track changes in nursing home quality and performance. The report found that while state nursing homes generally outperform the national average, their overall ratings have declined significantly since 2020.
Announcing the Passing of Professor Briavel Holcomb
The Bloustein School is saddened to announce the passing of Briavel Holcomb, 83, Professor Emeritus and former coordinator of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program, on September 27, 2025.
Food & Energy Policy Students Visit Ironbound Farm
In his LinkedIn post, Bulger thanked Charles Rosen and everyone at the farm for arranging and helping facilitate this amazing experience. He said, “the amount of knowledge and passion over there is astounding. When learning about food systems, hands-on learning needs to be a key part of the experience.”