Rutgers Transparency and Governance Center Creates Multi-Language Trainings for Newark Connect App
Toward its commitment to advance digital literacy and equity, the Transparency and Governance Center (TGC) at Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) has developed multi-language trainings for the Newark Connect Reporting Tool for Citizens to help Newark residents utilize the app to report non-emergency neighborhood issues or file complaints. The center developed the trainings as part of a three-year $2.3 million Smart and Connected Communities project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The project is focused on working collaboratively with the City of Newark and Newark residents to advance digital public services, and is part of a larger digital literacy initiative of the TGC, which is led by Rutgers SPAA faculty, Director Suzanne Piotrowski and Associate Director Gregory Porumbescu.
The Newark Connect app is a mobile application that allows Newark residents to report non-emergency neighborhood issues or file complaints. Once an issue is reported, a ticket is created and routed to the appropriate municipal department as well as the city's 4311 Non-Emergency Phone Center. Through the app, residents can also upload photos showing the reported problems, check the status of the reports, and view and comment on reports submitted by others.
TGC has created a series of training manuals and video instructions on how to use the Newark Connect app, which are available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. The trainings cover how to download and install the app, how to create an account, how to make a request or complaint, and how to check existing reports. The training manuals and video instructions can be found here: https://spaa.newark.rutgers.edu/newark-connect-training.
About the Transparency and Governance Center (TGC)
The Transparency and Governance Center (TGC) in the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) focuses on programming, research, and projects related to public sector transparency and governance at both the local and global levels. TGC understands that governments have an obligation to inclusively give citizens the opportunity to play a part in decision-making.