Kean Research Days 2026: Exploring Research, Challenges, and Solutions

Heaven Williams

College: School of Health Professions and Human Services (NCJU)

Major: BA.SOCIAL WORK (NJCU)

Faculty Research Mentor: Ohiwerei, Godwin

Abstract:

This research employs a macro-practice social work lens to analyze the 2026 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funding freeze, which withheld approximately $10 billion in federal allocations for TANF, Medicaid, and CCDF. Utilizing an Intersectionality-informed Policy Analysis, the study evaluates how these fiscal retrenchments disrupt the "person-in-environment" equilibrium for marginalized populations, specifically low-income mothers of color. The methodology synthesizes real-time 2026 data, including judicial injunctions and reports from the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Brennan Center, to identify service delivery gaps. Findings indicate that "job-loss penalties" and increased eligibility barriers have created unprecedented caseload surges in child welfare and behavioral health sectors. By examining the jurisdictional conflict between federal directives and state mandates, this study highlights the erosion of the social safety net and the resulting ethical dilemmas faced by practitioners. The research concludes by advocating for policy reforms that prioritize social justice over austerity to mitigate systemic oppression within the social work landscape.