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X-WR-CALNAME:Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240227T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240227T180000
DTSTAMP:20260419T081440
CREATED:20240208T171625Z
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SUMMARY:Book Club "The Art of Gathering" by Priya Parker
DESCRIPTION:Join us for mindful conversation on “The Art of Gathering” by Priya Parker \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJoin the Book Club \nQuestions? Email diversity@rutgers.edu
URL:https://dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu/event/book-club-the-art-of-gathering-by-priya-parker/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Diversity,Virtual
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Book-Club-Event-Thumbnail.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240305T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240305T190000
DTSTAMP:20260419T081440
CREATED:20240119T221405Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240314T140550Z
UID:10000377-1709654400-1709665200@dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu
SUMMARY:Rutgers Disability Coming Out Day
DESCRIPTION:A panel of disability activists will discuss building a society that works for all of us. Future leaders in planning\, policy\, healthcare\, and education are encouraged to join to learn how to be truly inclusive in their decision-making. Centering the lived experiences of people with disabilities\, we discuss the experience of “coming out” as disabled as well as: inclusion in the context of accessible policy planning\, healthcare\, and education\, followed by an opportunity to come out as disabled in a mix and mingle. Join\, ask questions\, and get involved. \nRegister at https://bit.ly/accessrutgers \nFor the Rutgers community:\n– People with disabilities\n– The healthcare community\n– The policymaking community\n– Educators \nLocation: ZOOM* or the Bloustein School’s Gov. James J. Florio Special Events Forum\, 33 Livingston Ave. New Brunswick. Zoom participants will have a committed on-site human monitor to address issues and ensure their voices are also heard. \n😷 😷 Please wear a mask.\n👃 Please keep this a scent-free environment for those with chemical sensitivities.\n🗯️ Captioning will be provided. \nPlease indicate your access needs in the registration form. Please contact our access touchpoints with any questions or concerns: as2921@scarletmail.rutgers.edu. Please put “DCOD Access” in the subject line. \nFollowed by a mix and mingle\, where we can meet our disabled peers and be “out” as disabled for those who are comfortable. \nPANELISTS: \nColleen Roche – Colleen Roche\, a Certified Community Resource Specialist\, is a training coordinator\, program developer\, and a subject-matter expert on disability health and wellness. She is an experienced consultant who develops and delivers trainings and presentations for individuals with disabilities\, healthcare providers\, and other allied professionals. Colleen is the co-founder of the New Jersey Disability Collective\, member of the Disability Action Committee\, and board chair for the Alliance Center for Independence and chair of the New Jersey Statewide Independent Living Council. \nMital Gajjar – Mital Gajjar\, who was first diagnosed with bilateral hearing loss at the age of 5\, started Rutgers Empowering Disabilities (RED) organization at Rutgers during her time as an undergraduate student in 2010. She currently teaches young children and mentors students in elementary school to college. She advocates for disability by working with the population throughout her career\, started an online group for occupational therapists with disabilities\, and understands the struggle of multiple identities through being the first disabled child of an immigrant family from a minority group. \nJillian Curwin – Jillian is a writer\, content creator\, and advocate for dwarfism and disability awareness based in New York City. She has written articles for Betches Media talking about disability representation in fashion and entertainment along with highlighting current events in the disability space. In addition\, she has consulted with brands and organizations about disability inclusion. She is the host of the podcast Always Looking Up where she talks to little people\, disabled people\, those that are disability-adjacent and allies about living in a world that was not necessarily designed for them. \nT.D. Mitchell – Best known as writer and story editor for the acclaimed TV series “Army Wives\,” T.D. Mitchell is an autodidact and human rights advocate. She serves as a narrative consultant and speechwriter in crafting messaging for international NGOs/nonprofits. For the Writers Guild Institute\, she mentors folks from marginalized communities to give them the tools to tell their own narratives. The pandemic led to her own near-death and resulting injuries that radically shifted her artistic process\, forms and narrative point of view.
URL:https://dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu/event/rutgers-disability-coming-out-day/
LOCATION:Gov. James J. Florio Special Events Forum\, CSB\, 33 Livingston Avenue\, New Brunswick\, NJ\, 08901\, United States
CATEGORIES:Diversity,Hybrid,Public,Student Organization,Student Services,Symposium/Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/DCOD-Print-Flier.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240327T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20240327T180000
DTSTAMP:20260419T081440
CREATED:20240110T204929Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240315T161150Z
UID:10000362-1711555200-1711562400@dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu
SUMMARY:Disability Justice: Driving Authentic Change Towards Action
DESCRIPTION:RSVP HERE \nAre we doing enough within our policies to not just accommodate\, but also uplift people with disabilities? \nOn Wednesday\, March 27\,  join the Bloustein School for an important conversation as we collectively work towards dismantling barriers and building a society where everyone can thrive. Attendees will gain valuable insights into creating spaces celebrating diversity\, equity\, and inclusion\, and ensuring that we all play a significant role in developing an inclusive and just society. \nOur annual DEI Lecture will critically assess the systems that seek to build inclusive communities. From access to health equity\, discussants will navigate the landscape of inclusivity\, shedding light on areas that demand attention and reform. \nThe lecture will serve as a call to action for students\, organizations\, and policymakers to examine their roles in driving authentic change. It seeks to foster a deeper understanding of disability justice and its impact on health equity\, policy development\, and community building. By giving voice to the lived experiences of people with disabilities and examples of disability justice at work\, we aim to catalyze tangible strides toward a more inclusive and equitable future for all. \nGuest Speaker: Jashar “Shar” Banks ’23\, Advocate and Mental Health Specialist\, Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care \n\n“Life has taught me important lessons\, and sometimes the best way is the hard way.” Raised by a a single mother\,  Jashar “Shar” Banks used his upbringing to grasp a better understanding of the value of earned rewards\, learning to accept failures as lessons and as a part of success. A wheelchair-bound paraplegic\, Shar has focused on personal growth in all areas of his life including work ethic\, social skills\, and leisure activities. He continues to strive towards success by acknowledging the lessons disguised in inevitable failures as his goal to remain a lifelong learner. Although no longer able to pursue a career path as a firefighter\, he hasn’t halted his aspirations to serve others. Pursuing a career as a developmental psychologist with the goal of help youth from troubled and underprivileged communities\, the 2023 Rutgers alumnus is currently employed as a Mental Health Specialist for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.\n\nPanelists: Recipients of Inclusive Healthy Communities Grant 2021-22\, 2022-23:  \nJennifer M. LeComte\, D.O.\, Associate Professor\, Rowan-Virtua SOM\, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and Medical Director\, Rowan-Virtua Regional Integrated Special Needs (RISN) Center \n\nDr. Jennifer LeComte is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her Med-Peds residency in Delaware at Christiana Care Health System and Nemours A.I. duPont Hospital for Children and is double board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. She served as a pediatric chief resident at Nemours\, as she initiated her career in providing primary care for patients with complex conditions in childhood across the lifespan as the founder of the Center for Special HealthCare Needs. She is currently an Associate Professor at Rowan-Virtua SOM in the Internal Medicine and Pediatrics departments and is the Medical Director of Rowan-Virtua Regional Integrated Special Needs (RISN) Center. Dr. LeComte volunteers with Rowan Unified Sports. She is the PI for several grants including a HRSA grant to improve access to primary care for people with different abilities.\n\nWendy F. Aita\, Ph.D.\, Co-Director\, Rowan-Virtua Regional Integrated Special Needs (RISN) Center and Behavioral Health Lead \n\nDr. Wendy Aita is Co-Director of the Rowan-Virtua Regional Integrated Special Needs (RISN) Center and Behavioral Health Lead. She is a Clinical Psychologist who received her Ph.D. from Farleigh Dickinson University and completed her internship at Friend’s Hospital. She is licensed in New Jersey. She joined Rowan in 2010 and is currently an Associate Professor at Rowan-Virtua SOM with appointments in both Psychiatry and Psychology. She has worked with individuals who are dually diagnosed with intellectual disability and mental health issues for several years and formed RISN Center with Dr. LeComte in 2019. Dr. Aita is an expert in Trauma Informed Care and treatment with a specific interest in complex trauma and helping individuals who have experienced medical trauma access routine medical procedures. She has significant experience in psychological testing\, individual and family therapy\, and integration of behavioral health into primary care. She serves on the Rowan University Neurodiversity Task Force\, and she is the Clinical Director for the Strong Minds Program through Special Olympics.\n\nAdditional comments will be provided by Patti O’Brien Richardson\, Bloustein School Chief Diversity\, Equity and Inclusion Officer / Committee Chair and Associate Teaching Professor; Roni Woitovich\, Bloustein School MPAP Student with Disability Studies concentration; and Javier Robles\, professor\, Rutgers Kinesiology and Health Department\, Co-chair of the Rutgers University Disability Studies committee and director\, Center for Disability Sports\, Health and Wellness at Rutgers University. \nRSVP HERE
URL:https://dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu/event/disability-justice-driving-authentic-change-towards-action/
LOCATION:Gov. James J. Florio Special Events Forum\, CSB\, 33 Livingston Avenue\, New Brunswick\, NJ\, 08901\, United States
CATEGORIES:Diversity,Public
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-EJBPPP-Disability-Justice-header-cover.jpg
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241118
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241221
DTSTAMP:20260419T081440
CREATED:20241118T170711Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241203T190211Z
UID:10000640-1731888000-1734739199@dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu
SUMMARY:Bloustein DEIB Committee Holiday Toy Drive
DESCRIPTION:The Bloustein School Diversity\, Equity\, Inclusion and Belonging Committee invites you to participate in a Holiday Toy Drive benefitting the Harmony Family Success Center. \nDonate new\, unwrapped toys for kids aged 0-12. In addition to toys\, we are collecting wrapping paper\, ribbons\, and tape to help wrap the gifts for distribution. \nDROP OFF LOCATION: Boxes will be placed inside the Civic Square Building\, 33 Livingston Avenue\, New Brunswick with the flyer attached. \nDONATION PERIOD: Beginning Monday\, Nov. 18 through Friday\, Dec. 20 \nQuestions? Contact Bloustein School DEIB Graduate Fellow Siclali Flores at diversity@ejb.rutgers.edu.
URL:https://dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu/event/bloustein-deib-committee-holiday-toy-drive/
LOCATION:Bloustein School\, Civic Square Building\, 33 Livingston Avenue\, New Brunswick\, NJ\, 08901\, United States
CATEGORIES:Diversity,Public,Social Gathering,Student Organization,Student Services
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DEIB-Holiday-Toy-Drive-2024-1920-x-1080-px.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250311T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250311T170000
DTSTAMP:20260419T081440
CREATED:20250210T213657Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250313T193746Z
UID:10000761-1741708800-1741712400@dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu
SUMMARY:People\, Policy\, Planning\, Place and Product: Lessons from a City Planner
DESCRIPTION:ANNUAL DIVERSITY\, EQUITY\, INCLUSION AND BELONGING LECTURE \nPresented by Christopher A. Watson\, M.Sc.\, Ph.D.[c] Director of Planning and Development Services\, Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP \nPlanning as a tool is ideally to organize the physical environment to effectuate the life course of residents\, so that they can be triangled with the resources needed to live successful life courses. Often\, whoever gets to make the decision as to how space is organize determines the outcome for those residents\, enveloped in those planned areas. To better provide the support residents need to advance themselves\, personal agency aside\, planners must be able to be the best translators of residents’ voices within planning principles that forward an agenda that is inclusive of community voice. Without this key understanding in practice\, space is disorganized\, and the evolution of society is stymied by confusion. \nThis conversation will explore these themes and will allow us as planners to have an honest conversation as to what our mandates are\, how we practice these mandates\, and how we come together to organize space around who we are planning for. Planning for people should include their voices\, and this lecture is to provoke a conversation as to how we get to this realization in our practices. \n 
URL:https://dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu/event/people-policy-planning-place-and-product-lessons-from-a-city-planner/
LOCATION:Bloustein School\, Civic Square Building\, 33 Livingston Avenue\, New Brunswick\, NJ\, 08901\, United States
CATEGORIES:Diversity,Faculty Bloustein,Health Administration,Informatics,Public Health,Public Policy,Seminar,Staff Bloustein,Urban Planning
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/03112025-DEIB-People-Policy-Planning-header.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250409T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250409T160000
DTSTAMP:20260419T081440
CREATED:20250219T171856Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T135826Z
UID:10000767-1744189200-1744214400@dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu
SUMMARY:REACH Poverty\, Equity\, and their Influencing Factors Symposium
DESCRIPTION:This symposium\, hosted by REACH in partnership with our Employment Table\, will bring together the Rutgers community\, academic institutions\, community partners\, policymakers\, and funders to discuss poverty and its interconnected social determinants — including education\, employment\, food access\, housing\, population health\, and racial justice. \nWe are especially thrilled to feature Dr. Matthew Desmond as our keynote speaker. Dr. Desmond\, author of Poverty\, By America and founder of Princeton’s Eviction Lab\, is a leading voice on housing insecurity and poverty. His groundbreaking research and extensive work have shaped national conversations on these critical issues\, making his insights invaluable for those dedicated to social impact. \nLocations:\nNew Brunswick: Cook Student Center (host site)\nCamden: Camden Campus Center (livestream + in-person events*)\nNewark: Paul Robeson Campus Center (livestream + in-person events*) \n*In-person events in Camden and Newark will include livestreams from New Brunswick of all plenary sessions and select breakouts\, as well as facilitated discussions\, networking\, breakfast and lunch\, and an autographed copy of Dr. Desmond’s book\, Poverty\, By America. \nRegistration has ended for this event. For more information visit https://reach.rutgers.edu/events
URL:https://dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu/event/reach-poverty-equity-and-their-influencing-factors-symposium/
LOCATION:Cook Campus Center\, 59 Biel Road\, New Brunswick\, 08901
CATEGORIES:Diversity,Health Administration,Informatics,Public Health,Public Policy,Symposium/Workshop,Urban Planning
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/reach-poverty-equity-april-2025.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Rutgers Equity Alliance for Community Health":MAILTO:contact.us@reach.rutgers.edu
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20251009T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20251009T173000
DTSTAMP:20260419T081440
CREATED:20250929T154323Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250929T162310Z
UID:10000925-1760025600-1760031000@dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu
SUMMARY:Residential Support Services for Disabled Students in NJ
DESCRIPTION:Despite efforts to support students with severe physical disabilities\, gaps and inconsistencies in disability accommodation policy and practice can create barriers for these students’ enrollment and academic success. The New Jersey State Policy is convening a panel of experts to address related issues with a focus on students with severe physical disabilities. \nThis in-person event will be an interactive roundtable designed to foster open dialogue and shared learning. All attendees will have the opportunity to contribute insights\, ask questions\, and exchange perspectives. Panelists will discuss strategies to reduce barriers for individuals with severe disabilities at universities and approaches to enhance enrollment and academic success. For those unable to attend in-person\, a Zoom link will be provided upon registering. \nThis is a free event open to students\, faculty\, staff\, and the community. Light refreshments will be provided. Please register today. \nOpening remarks will be delivered by: \n\nCharyl Yarbrough\, NJDOL Assistant Commissioner\, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services\n\nPanelists include: \n\nMatthew B. McDonald\, III\, MD\, President and CEO of Children’s Specialized Hospital\, RWJBH\nPaige Lewis\, Associate Director\, Beckwith Residential Support Services University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign\nCarlie Andrews\, Senior Director\, Rutgers University Office of Disability Services\nPaul Hammond\, Associate Vice Chancellor\, Rutgers University Office of Disability Services\nJavier Robles\, Director\, Center for Disability Sports\, Health\, and Wellness\, Rutgers University
URL:https://dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu/event/residential-support-services-for-disabled-students-in-nj/
LOCATION:Bloustein School\, Civic Square Building\, 33 Livingston Avenue\, New Brunswick\, NJ\, 08901\, United States
CATEGORIES:Diversity,Public Policy,Symposium/Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/njspl-residential-support-services-disabled-students-nj.webp
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260304T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260304T170000
DTSTAMP:20260419T081440
CREATED:20260121T164547Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260220T163833Z
UID:10001000-1772640000-1772643600@dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu
SUMMARY:Exodus From Tyranny:  Fighting for Just Systems as a  National\, State\, and Local Imperative
DESCRIPTION:The Bloustein School Community and Belonging Lecture \nIn the face of a collapsing public health infrastructure and deliberate attacks on government institutions and human and civil rights\, community health and our collective well-being are at risk. As the pendulum swings widely\, the fair solution is to build lasting safe spaces for equity and inclusion\, where health equity and social justice can be achieved. While various populations are pushed off the “Cliff of Good Health\,” the power of data stories\, coalition building\, storytelling for change\, and strong policy advocacy ensures the will of the people remains heard. \nDr. Chris T. Pernell is a dynamic physician leader and social change agent. In her practice\, she focuses on health justice\, community-based advocacy\, and population-wide health promotion and disease prevention. A celebrated visionary and apostle of public health\, Dr. Chris serves as the Director of the NAACP Center for Health Equity. The Center is charged with driving equitable health outcomes and transforming healthcare systems while valuing the whole person. Prior to joining the nation’s oldest and most venerable civil rights organization\, she launched The Esther Group\, a public health consulting and health equity strategy firm. As founder of The Esther Group\, she lives the mandate to dare a future where organizations\, communities and systems can innovate for a better world and humanity. \nSpace is limited and RSVP is encouraged. RSVP HERE.
URL:https://dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu/event/community-and-belonging-lecture-dr-chris-pernell/
LOCATION:Gov. James J. Florio Special Events Forum\, CSB\, 33 Livingston Avenue\, New Brunswick\, NJ\, 08901\, United States
CATEGORIES:Diversity,Public,Public Health,Public Policy
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://dev.bloustein.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Community-Belonging-2026-Pernell-websitepromo.webp
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