Raymond J Castro


Ray Castro was formerly the Director of Health Policy for NJPP. In this role, he worked to improve the health outcomes of New Jerseyans by producing reports, testifying in legislative hearings and working with advocates, legislators and their staff, and other key stakeholders to change policy and boost families in need. Ray’s research interests include: the Affordable Care Act, universal health coverage, NJ FamilyCare, health care transformation, poverty, the social safety net, public assistance and working family tax credits. Before joining NJPP in August 2006, Ray worked for the New Jersey Department of Human Services for more than 30 years, mainly serving as the Director of the DHS Office of Legislative Services in the Commissioner’s office. He was closely involved with developing federal and state legislation relating to Medicaid, mental health, welfare reform, child protective services, child care and other work support programs, and helped develop the policy and legislative strategy that led to New Jersey’s state Earned Income Tax Credit. He received a BA in psychology from the University of California-Berkeley and holds a master’s in social work degree with a specialization in policy from Rutgers University.

Reject Estate Tax Repeal & Boost Assistance for Poor Families

A tax cut that benefits just the wealthy few is glaringly out of step with budget priorities of New Jersey, will make it harder to restore earlier funding cuts and will make it nearly impossible to do much to tackle some of the state’s other big problems, like growing poverty.

Increasing TANF Assistance to New Jersey Families is Long Overdue

The TANF cash benefit, which is $424 a month for a family of three, has not been increased in 29 years. Ronald Reagan was still president, and the Bangles’ “Walk Like an Egyptian” was the top hit of the day.

Repealing TANF’s ‘Family Cap’ Makes Moral and Economic Sense

Recent national research has shown that these caps do not affect parental choices as intended but instead penalize the babies, who are denied cash assistance, and the families, which are driven deeper into poverty.

Lost Opportunities for New Jersey’s Children

Dwindling cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program has harmed families and children, but New Jersey can reverse course.

New Jersey Should Apply for Local SNAP Waivers to Prevent Needless Hunger

For the state to willingly worsen the plight of struggling New Jerseyans is an indefensible policy that borders on the immoral. Legislators should do everything in their power to force the state to reverse course.

Two Key Decisions on SNAP in New Jersey Will Increase Hunger for Vulnerable Residents

SNAP serves the most vulnerable people in our state, and further cuts to the program will continue to push these families further to the brink.

New Jersey’s Middle Class is Shrinking & Poverty is Rising – But We Can Reverse the Tide

We can start make a real difference if we at least eliminate those state policies and actions that are acting making poverty worse in New Jersey.

New Jersey’s Decision to Allow Time Limits on SNAP Will Cause Severe Hunger

Officials emphasized that the termination was a federal requirement and beyond New Jersey’s control. But that is only part of the story.