Economic Development Research Group (EDRG)

Established in 2009, the core philosophy of the Economic Development Research Group is to contribute to the self-sufficiency of marginalized groups and to the economic development of surrounding areas by conducting empirically grounded evaluations of services, programs, and opportunities available to these populations. The research is used to advise, develop, and monitor policy interventions and strategies that empower our clients and the communities in which they live, work, and play. The Group's rigorous process and outcomes evaluations consider the impact of education, employment, and criminal justice-related outcomes on individuals, families, and the greater community. Current projects include a multiple pathways to graduation analysis of Newark Public Schools, including the development of an electronic graduation and at-risk monitoring system, an analysis of the Female Offender Resource Group Effort in Essex County, and an evaluation of the InsideOut Dad program at three correctional facilities in Newark, NJ.

Director
Deborah Ward
Associate Research Professor, School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA)
dward@rci.rutgers.edu
732-932-2030