Empowered and Healthy Immigrant Families 

This SDOH Curriculum Pilot supports immigrant, undocumented, and mixed-status youth in Camden by addressing social challenges linked to multiple social determinants of health (SDOH). Developed by the immigrant-led non-profit ImmSchools in collaboration with the Rutgers Center for Youth Social Emotional Wellness (CYSEW), the program will be implemented in two Camden high schools to evaluate learner engagement over time.  

The curriculum highlights immigration as a SDOH and aims to empower immigrant youth by promoting mental health, well-being, and critical consciousness about SDOH. Participants will develop skills to advocate for resources and address structural inequities. The partnership between Rutgers CYSEW and ImmSchools will strengthen both organizations’ capacity to support immigrant youth and families in New Jersey and beyond. Using mixed methods, the project will assess its impact on mental health, educational outcomes, and advocacy among students and their families. By empowering immigrant communities to navigate systemic barriers, the researchers aim to advance educational and social equity, making lasting change possible.