Plugged In To Education

May 27, 2021

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

What’s Inside Plugged In To Education

  • ‘Get a Shot to Make Your Future’ Vaccine Incentive Announced
  • New Guidance Released for Child Care, Day Camp and Overnight Camp Programs
  • OTDA Releases 2021 New York State Summer Youth Employment Program Allocations
  • State Ed Soliciting Feedback on Professional Shortages
  • Federal Funding Distributed to States to Address Mental Health
  • OPWDD Seeks Stakeholder Input on 5.07 Plan
  • USDOE Announces Public Hearings on Higher Education Regulations
  • OMH Central Office Announces New Appointments and Assignments
  • Excelsior Scholarship Application Open for New Applicants for 2021-22
  • Governor Cuomo Announces Support for Proposed Rule Changes to Federal Title X Program
  • SUNY and CUNY to Require Vaccinations for All Students Attending In-Person Classes This Fall
  • Governor Cuomo Signs Extensions for Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention
  • USDA Issues Pandemic Flexibilities for Schools and Day Care Facilities through June 2022 
  • New COVID-19 Guidance
  • New York Register
  • Funding Opportunities
  • Coming Up 

‘Get a Shot to Make Your Future’ Vaccine Incentive Announced

Earlier this week, Governor Cuomo announced the ‘Get a Shot to Make Your Future’ incentive for 12- to 17-year-olds to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Participants can enter into a random prize drawing and potentially receive a full scholarship to a SUNY or CUNY college beginning May 27. Winners receive a full scholarship to any public college or university, including tuition and room and board. New York State will administer the random drawing and select 10 winners a week over five weeks for a total of 50 winners. Federal COVID-19 relief and outreach funds will be used to cover the cost of this vaccination incentive program.

New Guidance Released for Child Care, Day Camp and Overnight Camp Programs

Governor Cuomo announced updated guidance for health and safety measures at child care, day camp, and overnight camp programs, effective May 19.

This guidance was updated on May 24th to reflect changes in the mask mandate for children above the age of two. The revised guidance states: Responsible parties should encourage that children/campers age 2 and older who are not fully vaccinated wear face coverings except when eating, drinking, showering, swimming, or sleeping/resting. Young children/campers (i.e., those that are not yet in kindergarten) do not need to wear face coverings when they are in child care or day camp program facility or area. Older children/campers are encouraged but not required to wear face coverings as feasible.

OTDA Releases 2021 New York State Summer Youth Employment Program Allocations

This year’s budget included $45 million in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to support the 2021 New York State Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). OTDA notified social services districts of their 2021 SYEP allocations and provided the general guidance linked above.

State Ed Soliciting Feedback on Professional Shortages

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) is soliciting information about local and regional shortages of special education teachers, bilingual special education teachers and teachers of students with speech and language disabilities (TSSLDs), and bilingual professionals in Pupil Personnel Service (PPS) titles and to gather information on school district and regional efforts to prepare, recruit and retain personnel with these certifications. Responses to the RFI are due by June 7, 2021.

Federal Funding Distributed to States to Address Mental Health

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced the distribution of $3 billion in American Rescue Plan funding for its mental health and substance use block grant programs. In addition, SAMHSA announced they are establishing a new Behavioral Health Coordinating Council (BHCC) to work across HHS to facilitate collaboration and strategic planning as we implement our behavioral health agenda. Funding allocation tables can be viewed here; MHBG Supplemental Awards, SABG Supplemental Awards.

OPWDD Seeks Stakeholder Input on 5.07 Plan

The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) plans to release a new Statewide Comprehensive 5.07 Plan in the Fall of 2021 following stakeholder feedback and discussion which will begin in late May/early June of 2021. The 5.07 Plan (after section 5.07 of NYS mental hygiene law) will include the top priorities for OPWDD policy and planning efforts for the next several years. A strategic plan is due to the Governor and Legislature on November 1, 2021.

USDOE Announces Public Hearings on Higher Education Regulations

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education announced that it will hold virtual public hearings on June 21, 23, and 24 to receive stakeholder feedback on issues including borrower defense to repayment for students harmed by their colleges’ misleading practices and gainful employment requirements to protect students and taxpayers from poor-performing programs.

OMH Central Office Announces New Appointments and Assignments

  • The new Office of Population Health and Evaluation will be led by Emily Leckman-Westin, PhD (Director) and Molly Finnerty, MD (Medical Director). This office consolidates OMH’s data analytic and evaluation resources to create efficiencies and more streamlined access to the expertise offered by the agency’s epidemiologists, data analysts, and quality/performance measurement experts.
  • The new Office of Prevention and Health Initiatives: This new office will be directed by Associate Commissioner Donna Bradbury, MA, LMHC, and Merrill Rotter, MD, with Dana Cohen, MPA appointed as Associate Director. The office will be charged with proposing new policy and programs emphasizing primary and secondary prevention efforts.
  • Sarah Kuriakose, PhD is being named Acting Associate Commissioner of the Division of Integrated Community Services for Children and Families.
  • Suzanne Feeney, MBA, is moving into a full-time role as Director of the OMH Institute for Policy and Program Innovation (IPPI).
  • A new Office of Quality Assurance which will be led by Mary LaPoint.
  • The Office of the Chief Medical Officer will have two new appointments as Sally Dreslin, MA, MS, RN assumes the role of Director of Operations and Adrienne Anderson, MPH, takes the position of Special Assistant.

Excelsior Scholarship Application Open for New Applicants for 2021-22

Governor Cuomo announced that the application for the Excelsior Scholarship for new applicants for the 2021-22 academic school year is now open. The Excelsior Scholarship, in combination with other aid programs, allows eligible full-time students to attend a SUNY or CUNY two-year or four-year college tuition-free.

Governor Cuomo Announces Support for Proposed Rule Changes to Federal Title X Program

Governor Cuomo announced support for the proposed changes to the federal Title X Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, published on April 15, 2021, which ensure that Title X services are patient-centered, equitable and affordable for the populations in greatest need of safety net family planning services, will soon allow New York to re-enter the program. New York announced in September 2019 that rather than accept the previous administration’s federal funding conditioned on limiting the options of patients and medical professionals, New York would withdraw from the federal Title X program and continue supporting the state’s family planning program with State funding.

SUNY and CUNY to Require Vaccinations for All Students Attending In-Person Classes This Fall

Governor Cuomo announced the decision by the SUNY and CUNY boards to require proof of vaccination for all students attending in-person classes this fall, and encouraged all private universities and colleges to adopt the same guidelines.

Governor Cuomo Signs Extensions for Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention

Governor Cuomo signed an extension of the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2020 and the COVID-19 Emergency Protect Our Small Businesses Act. The legislation (S.6362-A/A.7175-A) extends protections prohibiting residential and commercial evictions, foreclosure proceedings, credit discrimination and negative credit reporting related to the COVID-19 pandemic until August 31, 2021.

USDA Issues Pandemic Flexibilities for Schools and Day Care Facilities through June 2022

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it has issued a number of nationwide child nutrition waivers for the 2021-2022 school year. The waivers—effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022—enable schools and child care providers to continue providing safe and healthy meals free of charge to children amid the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. Click here for the memo from NYS Education Department.

New COVID-19 Guidance

SED Guidance

OPWDD Guidance

OPWDD has released the following guidance related to visitation, community outings, in-person day services, staffing and return to work on May 17, 2021:

Other Guidance:

OCFS Guidance

  • 21-OCFS-ADM-06 – Maximum State Aid Rates for Foster Care Programs and Residential Programs for In-State Committee on Special Education Placements – Effective July 1, 2020, Through March 31, 2021 (revised 5/4/21)
  • 21-OCFS-ADM-07 – Supporting Foster Youth and Families through the Pandemic Act- April 14, 2021
  • 21-OCFS-LCM-07 – Federal Fiscal Year 2021 John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood: Independent Living Allocations (revised 5/7/21)
  • 21-OCFS-LCM-11 – Tuition Reimbursement for Children Who Have Educational Disabilities and Are Placed in Institutions- May 19, 2021

New York Register

Proposed Rule Making

Notice of Adoption

Funding Opportunities

Through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA), New York State is soliciting applications for funding to advance the priorities of Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC). Due July 30, 2021

Through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA), New York State is soliciting applications for funding from the Workforce Development Initiative (WDI). Ongoing

The State Education Department is accepting applications for My Brother’s Keeper Teacher Opportunity Corp (TOC) II to increase the participation rate of historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged individuals in teaching careers. Due June 3, 2021

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) is seeking proposals to establish two Technical Assistance Resource Centers to support NYSED’s monitoring of, technical assistance to, and professional development for 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) subgrantees. Due June 9, 2021

The Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance is looking to fund the Refugee and Immigrant Student Welcome Program (RISWP) to support activities including, but not limited to: expanded community school activities, the provision of school supplies to incoming students, training opportunities for staff on trauma and cultural sensitivity, employment of counselors and psychologists, and parental and family engagement and support for refugee and immigrant youth. Due June 10, 2021

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Bureau of Tobacco Control (BTC) is seeking competitive proposals from qualified vendors to develop and implement a Center of Excellence in Tobacco Policy that will build on and advance previous policy center initiatives consistent with the evolution of BTC and the tobacco control environment in New York State. Due June 10, 2021

The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) seeks proposals to fund a SNUG Street Outreach and SNUG Social Work program in the city of Rochester. Approximately five hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($550,000) of state funds are expected to be available to fund the SNUG Street Outreach Program and two hundred and sixty thousand dollars ($260,000) of federal funds are expected to be available to fund the SNUG Social Work program. Due June 16, 2021

The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) is issuing this Request for Proposals to invite eligible applicants to submit proposals for developing a “Partnership to Support Aging in Place” program to support adults, age 55 and older, to age in place in either OMH supportive housing or other community located housing where older adults reside. Due June 16, 2021

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) and Health Research, Inc. (HRI) are seeking competitive proposals from qualified organizations to conduct quality of care reviews, program evaluations, focused clinical studies, and quality improvement activities for health related services provided to individuals enrolled in New York State’s (NYS) Medicaid program and all people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), within the purview of the AIDS Intervention Management System (AIMS) program. Due July 1, 2021

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) Office of Education Policy is seeking proposals for the development and dissemination of professional learning experiences (PLEs) for field-based implementation led by trained professionals. The contractor retained under this RFP will develop and lead a training program on PLE implementation and develop and propose criteria for NYSED to approve qualified entities and/or individuals to deliver PLEs and wraparound services (e.g., peer-to-peer support networks, coaching, mentoring, professional learning communities). Due July 1, 2021

The NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) is accepting proposals to manage, operate and promote the NYS Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline, hereinafter referred to as The Hotline. Due July 9, 2021

Coming Up

The Board of Regents will hold their next meeting on June 7 & 8, 2021.

The Senate Standing Committee on Disabilities will host a roundtable on June 3, 2021 to evaluate the State’s response to COVID-19 at residential facilities for developmentally and intellectually disabled individuals.

The NYS DOH Children’s Waiver team will present a webinar on Wednesday June 9, 2021 from 1-2:30 pm for the HHCM/C-YES regarding the updated Policy and LDSS 21ADM-01 Children’s Waiver Adaptive and Assistive Technology, Environmental Modifications, and Vehicle Modifications Authorization .

The following State Boards are scheduled to meet:

Social Work: June 2, 2021 (WebEx)

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. 2020. All rights reserved.