Plugged In To Education

October 28, 2025

Coverage of updates in lower education, higher education & human services.

What’s Inside

  • Federal Government Shutdown Continues
  • Governor Hochul Announces $49 Million Investment to Strengthen New York’s Private, Not-for-Profit Colleges and Universities
  • New York State Awards First Round of Community Reinvestment Grants to 50 Youth-Focused Organizations Across the State
  • DiNapoli: Recent Federal Actions Will Have Significant Impact on Higher Education in NY
  • 2025 SOMOS Inc Puerto Rico Conference Schedule
  • Funding Opportunities
  • State Register
  • Coming Up

Federal Government Shutdown Continues

Governor Hochul has been calling on the federal government to pass a budget, or continuing resolution, among threats that New Yorkers will lose access to important programs come November. Beginning on November 1, New Yorkers face devastating cuts to food assistance, skyrocketing health care premiums, and a loss of other critical programs like heating assistance including:

  • Nearly three million New Yorkers who rely on SNAP each month to feed themselves and their families may not receive their SNAP benefits
  • 140,000 New Yorkers will see their health care premiums skyrocket by nearly 40 percent
  • Funds for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) are delayed making it harder for more than 1.5 million New Yorkers to afford their utility bills and keep warm as temperatures begin to drop and winter approaches
  • Early education in jeopardy across the state with a lack of federal funding to support Head Start programs
  • Critical infrastructure projects and jobs will be put at risk with cuts to infrastructure and security funding

Here are a few related press releases:

Additionally, Governor Hochul launched a new website where New Yorkers can share their personal stories about the devastating effects of cuts to health care, food assistance and other critical programs. The new website — ny.gov/federalcuts — breaks down the impacts on regions across the state and includes relevant resources available to New Yorkers affected by these cuts.

Governor Hochul Announces $49 Million Investment to Strengthen New York’s Private, Not-for-Profit Colleges and Universities

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $49 million in capital grants for 35 colleges and universities across New York State through the Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program (HECap). The funding supports projects that will upgrade facilities, create modern laboratory and research spaces, and invest in cutting-edge instructional technology and equipment — ensuring that New York’s higher education institutions remain at the forefront of innovation and opportunity. Campuses that receive HECap grants are required to invest at least $3 of their own funds for every $1 in state funds received.

The HECapBoard also approved the release of the Round 8 Request for Applications, which will open on December 12, 2025.

New York State Awards First Round of Community Reinvestment Grants to 50 Youth-Focused Organizations Across the State

The Cannabis Advisory Board, in partnership with the New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM), has awarded the first round of grants from the Community Grants Reinvestment Fund with $5 million in funding going to 50 youth-focused non-profits across the state. The grants, funded by tax revenue from the engine of New York’s $2 billion+ adult-use cannabis market, is the first outlay of promised reinvestment into communities is proportionately affected by past drug policies and enforcement. The awards will support organizations that provide mental health, housing stability, and workforce development services to young people across the State.

It is anticipated that applications for Round 2 of the Community Reinvestment Program will open in late-2025 or early-2026.

DiNapoli: Recent Federal Actions Will Have Significant Impact on Higher Education in NY

Impacts from the recently enacted federal budget law, upcoming appropriations for federal fiscal year 2026 and executive actions since January 2025 risk undermining the strength and competitiveness of New York’s higher education sector and the social and economic benefits it generates, according to a new analysis from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

The Comptroller also created a page containing various resources related to federal funding and impacts to NY: Federal Funding and New York.

2025 SOMOS Inc Puerto Rico Conference Schedule

The 2025 SOMOS Inc Puerto Rico Conference will be held November 5 – 9, 2025. The full list of workshops and conference schedule can be found here. 

Funding Opportunities

The NYS Department of Health, Division of Chronic Disease Prevention, Tobacco Control Program (TCP) announced the availability of $3,275,000 annually in New York State funds to organizations that will work to engage health care systems to improve the delivery of guideline-concordant care for Tobacco Use Disorders through systems and policy change at the health care organization level through the Tobacco Control Program. Due December 5, 2025

The NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets announced the availability of funds for the 2026 Transportation for Youth to New York State County and Local Fairs Competitive Grants Program (the “Program”). This Program will provide funding for transportation and related costs to bring participating youth groups to their county and local fairs during the 2026 fair season. Due December 9, 2025

The NYS Department of Health announced the availability of funding for the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities to provide services in priority communities to implement evidence-based nutrition and physical activity strategies and collaboratively leverage local, regional, or state investments, partnerships, coalitions, and resources from a variety of sectors to help reduce health disparities in chronic conditions (e.g., hypertension, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity) related to poor nutrition and physical inactivity. Under this RFA, the Department intends to have statewide reach in all five (5) regions of the state through 15 community-level Grantees for Component A and one (1) Physical Activity and Nutrition Center of Excellence (PANCE) Grantee for Component B to provide training and technical assistance to Component A Grantees including health equity approaches. Due December 12, 2025

The NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) announced the release of a RFP to operate Family Resource Centers (FRCs). This initiative is designed to support community-based FRC programs with the goal of strengthening and supporting families to prevent abuse/maltreatment and/or the recurrence of abuse/maltreatment, and improving outcomes for families at risk of/or experiencing child abuse. Due December 12, 2025

The NYS Office of Mental Health announced the availability of funds for the expansion of a Youth Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) in Central or Western New York OMH regions. The Youth ACT team serves children/youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), who are returning home from inpatient settings or residential services, at risk of entering such settings, or have not adequately engaged or responded to treatment in more traditional community-based services. December 16, 2025

The NYS Office of Mental Health announced the availability of funds for the Aghan Refugee Health Program to promote health literacy, coordination of mental health services, and facilitation of wellness group activities for Afghan arrivals. Many Afghans are arriving to the United States with immediate as well as long-term mental health needs. December 17, 2025

The NYS Office of Mental Health announced the availability of $6 million for the expansion and/or creation of health-led community behavioral health crisis response pilot programs consistent with the Daniel’s Law Task Force (DLTF) Behavioral Health Crisis Response report established pursuant to Chapter 57 of the laws of 2023 and Chapter 53 of the Laws of 2025. This procurement seeks to establish at least three (3) pilot programs, one (1) each in an urban, suburban, and rural area. January 12, 2026

State Register

Education Department

  • Transferring of Prescriptions by Pharmacists (Emergency/Proposed)
  • Special Subject Tenure Areas (Adopted)
  • Supplementary Certificate and Supplementary Bilingual Education Extension Requirements (Adopted)
  • Special Education Due Process Hearings (Proposed)
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) (Proposed)

Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services

  • State Level Certification of Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs) in New York by OMH and OASAS (Proposed)

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

  • Standard Utility Allowances (SUAs) for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (Emergency/Proposed)

Coming Up

Board of Regents

  • November 3 – 4
  • December 15 – 16

State Board Meetings

  • Engineering, Land Surveying & Geology: December 11, 2025 (Albany)
  • Speech-Language Pathology: December 5, 2025 (Albany, Long Island, New York City, Rochester & Syracuse)
  • Medicine: December 5, 2025 (New York City)
  • Physical Therapy: November 21, 2025 (New York City)
  • Podiatry: November 14, 2025 (Albany, New York City, Syracuse)

Not-For-Profit Contracting Advisory Committee

  • October 30, 2025
  • November 13, 2025

NYS Governor’s Task Force on Missing Women and Girls who are BIPOC Listening Sessions

  • November 2
  • November 5

Plugged In to Education is prepared by Hinman Straub P.C. and is intended to keep our clients informed about news and Legislative and regulatory developments that may affect or otherwise be of interest to them. The comments contained herein do not constitute legal opinion and should not be regarded as a substitute for legal advice. If you prefer not to receive these updates, please alert us so we may remove you from our distribution list. © Hinman Straub P.C. 2025. All rights reserved.