Plugged In To Education

July 1, 2021

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

What’s Inside Plugged In To Education

  • USDE Approves New York State Accountability and Report Card Waiver for 2020-21
  • Office of Mental Health Releases Funding Report
  • OSC Releases Accounting Bulletin on Federal Education Stimulus Funding
  • Governor Cuomo Announces $25 Million in Child Care Scholarships for Essential Workers
  • State Awards $24 Million to More Than 80 Organizations for Extended School Day and School Violence Prevention Programs
  • Temporary Increase to the Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program’s Fruit and Vegetable Benefit under American Rescue Plan
  • $5 Million Awarded to Four Colleges and Universities to Achieve Deep Energy Savings and Help Combat Climate Change
  • Membership of Blue-Ribbon Commission on Forensic Custody Evaluations Announced
  • New COVID-19 Guidance
  • New York Register
  • Funding Opportunities
  • Coming Up 

USDE Approves New York State Accountability and Report Card Waiver for 2020-21

The United States Department of Education (USDE) has approved the New York State Education Department’s Accountability and Report Card Waiver for the 2020-21 school year. “USDE made the right decision in allowing NYSED this flexibility so we may focus on sustaining and, even expanding, high-quality support to districts and schools as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa said. This memo provides further information on the wavier.

Office of Mental Health Releases Funding Report

New York State was awarded two rounds of supplemental Community Mental Health Services (CMHS) Block Grant funding. The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act awarded $46,339,285 which must be expended during the period of March 15, 2021 to March 14, 2023. The American Rescue Plan Act awarded $80,040,583 which must be expended during the period of September 1, 2021 to September 30, 2025. Today, OMH issued a report as to how the office intends to spend this funding.

OSC Releases Accounting Bulletin on Federal Education Stimulus Funding

Earlier today, the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) issued an accounting bulletin on school district funding under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA Act) and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP Act). The bulletin, along with a letter from NYSED, can be found here.

Governor Cuomo Announces $25 Million in Child Care Scholarships for Essential Workers

Governor Cuomo announced that New York State will provide $25 million in child care scholarships to all essential workers starting June 23, 2021 through the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and American Rescue Plan Act. Essential workers include first responders such as health care providers, pharmaceutical staff, law enforcement, firefighters, transportation workers, food delivery workers, grocery store employees and others. Parents will apply for funding through a single online application, and providers will be paid directly on behalf of the parent. For more information and to apply for the funding, please click here.

State Awards $24 Million to More Than 80 Organizations for Extended School Day and School Violence Prevention Programs

The State Education Department awarded more than $24 million in state-funded grants for extended school day and school violence prevention programs to 83 school districts and non-profit organizations across the state, Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced last week. The grants will be administered over a five-year period, from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2026.

Temporary Increase to the Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program’s Fruit and Vegetable Benefit under American Rescue Plan

The New York State Department of Health announced a temporary increase in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition program’s fruit and vegetable benefit, to $35 per participant. The American Rescue Plan Act, which President Biden signed into law in March, authorized state WIC agencies to enhance the WIC benefit for a period of four months.

$5 Million Awarded to Four Colleges and Universities to Achieve Deep Energy Savings and Help Combat Climate Change

Governor Cuomo announced over $5 million in awards to four colleges and universities to help them achieve deep energy savings and combat climate change under the Energy to Lead Competition. The City College of New York Building Performance Lab, New York Medical College, Syracuse University, and Vassar College will receive more than $1 million each to develop comprehensive and cost-effective projects that advance building decarbonization while incorporating student input and community engagement, including two projects that will implement net zero energy performance in retrofit and new construction applications.

Membership of Blue-Ribbon Commission on Forensic Custody Evaluations Announced

Governor Cuomo announced the membership of his Blue-Ribbon Commission on Forensic Custody Evaluations. The Blue-Ribbon Commission will be co-chaired by retired Judge Sherry Klein Heitler, Interim Dean of the NYS Judicial Institute, Commissioner Sheila Poole of the Office of Children and Family Services, and Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Executive Director Kelli Owens, and is charged with developing recommendations to the Governor regarding how forensic custody evaluations should be used in the New York state court system.

New COVID-19 Guidance

State Education Department:

Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS):

Department of Health (DOH):

Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD):

Office of Mental Health (OMH):

Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS):

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA):

Center for Disease Control and Prevention:

New York Register

Emergency Rule Making

Emergency/Proposed Rule Making

Proposed Rule Making

Notice of Adoption

Funding Opportunities

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

The NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) announces a funding opportunity from the New York State homeless housing programs fund appropriated in the State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2021-22 Aid to Localities budget for the New York State Supportive Housing Program (NYSSHP). July 16, 2021

The NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWD”) is seeking applications from non-profit organizations authorized to do business in New York State to serve as the provider of Crisis Services for Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (CSIDD) and a Resource Center(s) in OPWDD’s Developmental Disabilities Regional Office 2 (“Region 2”). Due July 21, 2021

The State Education Department has announced Charter School Expansion Grants to support the expansion of high-quality educational opportunities for students in New York State by expanding the number of seats in existing charter schools in New York State that are already providing a significant educational benefit to students, especially those who are at the greatest risk of not meeting State academic standards. Due July 27, 2021

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

The NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) is pleased to announce the availability of funds to continue the work of Project TEACH (Training and Education for the Advancement of Children’s Health), a collaborative model that is committed to strengthening and supporting the ability of Primary Care Providers (PCPs) to provide mental health services to children, adolescents, and their families. August 17, 2021

The NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) is providing funding for the support of an Independent Practice Association (IPA) among the Peer-Operated Program to allow for the development of a cost-efficient infrastructure to operate in a managed Medicaid environment and the ability to handle shared risk contracts under value-based payment models. August 31, 2021

Coming Up

Webex: Everything You Need to Know about GS1 GDSN! Accessing Nutrient, Allergen, and Ingredient information for USDA Foods in Schools

  • Date and Time: August 5, 2021 at 2pm ET

The Board of Regents will hold their next meeting on July 12 – 13 (Monday and Tuesday).

The following State Boards are scheduled to meet:

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.