Plugged In To Education

February 28, 2021

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

Highlights

Funding Announced to Expand Telehealth Services for Addiction Treatment

Governor Hochul announced the availability of up to $1.5 million in federal funding under the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) to allow providers to expand telehealth services for addiction treatment. Providers will be able to use this funding to expand and upgrade their telehealth infrastructure through new telehealth equipment, as well as new software, tablets, and phones. This funding is being administered by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports. Each provider can receive up to $15,000 through this initiative. Information about the RFA and application process can be found here. Applications are due March 11, 2022.

State Ed Releases Graduation Data

Earlier this month, the State Education Department released graduation rates for the 2017 cohort, those students who first entered 9th grade in New York’s public schools in 2017. The overall August graduation rate increased to 86.1 percent, up 1.3 percentage points from 84.8 percent for the 2016 cohort. The 2017 cohort graduation rate is 9.4 percentage points higher than a decade earlier when the 2008 cohort graduation rate was 76.7 percent. The press release mentions the regulatory actions that were necessary throughout COVID and states, “The necessary Regents Exam exemptions were a factor in the 2016 and 2017 Cohort graduation rates; however, the Department cannot say to what extent. The consistent long-term trend demonstrates the Board and Department reasonably adjusted graduation requirements to ensure students were not unfairly impacted by circumstances created by the pandemic. ​The 2020 and 2021 exemptions will affect the graduation rates for future cohorts of students as well.”

Governor Hochul Announces $64 Million to Aid Struggling Families and Survivors of Domestic Violence

Governor Hochul announced more than $64 million in federal funding to help struggling New Yorkers with children, multi-generational households, and survivors of domestic violence with their expenses amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Administered through the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the state Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, the Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund will provide one-time payments to help with the cost of diapers for struggling families, cover food expenses for households with both children and older adults, and provide crucial housing and relocation assistance for survivors of domestic violence.

SUNY Board Ends Practice of Withholding Transcripts From Students

Last month, State University of New York Board of Trustees announced the end of the practice of withholding transcripts from students with outstanding balances, effective immediately. This follows Governor Hochul’s plan to eliminate the practice across the State as part of the 2022 State of the State – including directing public colleges and universities to immediately stop withholding transcripts and proposing legislation for all higher education institutions in the State.

$100 Million Announced for Behavioral Health Crisis Stabilization Centers

Governor Kathy Hochul announced availability of more than $100 million in funding over the next five years for 12 new Intensive Crisis Stabilization Centers across the State that will provide immediate care for people who are experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), have issued a joint Request for Proposals to fund development of the Centers. State contracts awarded through the RFP will provide more than $100 million for the 12 Crisis Stabilization Centers over five years, including $20 million for start-up costs and more than $80 million in operating funds. Start-up funding is provided through the Federal Supplemental Community Mental Health Services Block Grant. Applications are due May 19, 2022.

Second Round of Federal Emergency Home Heating Aid Available

Administered by the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the Home Energy Assistance Program is now accepting second emergency benefit applications for those New Yorkers who have used up their regular and first emergency benefits and are facing a heating emergency. Approximately $65 million in funding remains available to help low- and middle-income New Yorkers avoid having their home heating disconnected or exhausting their heating source amid fuel price increases this winter.

COVID Guidance

OCFS

DOH

NY Register

February 16, 2022

February 2, 2022

  • The Office of Children and Family Services issued a notice of emergency rule making to adopt provisions and standards to operationalize compliance with the Federal Family First Prevention Services Act.
  • The Education Department issued a notice of emergency rule making to allow registered professional nurses to administer immunizations pursuant to non-patient specific orders issued by a licensed physician or a certified nurse practitioner in accordance with the Commissioner’s regulations.

Funding Opportunities

Hunger Solutions New York is soliciting proposals for the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP). Community-based non-profit organizations are invited to apply for a contract to provide free and confidential Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) information, education, prescreening and application services to low-income New Yorkers. Contracts begin July 1, 2022.  Due March 9, 2022

The New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) with funding made available through federal funding relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act, is inviting eligible providers to apply for telehealth infrastructure support. Through the Telehealth Infrastructure RFA, eligible providers can request up to $15,000 for the purchase of telehealth equipment, software, tablets and phones. Due March 11, 2022 (See above for more detail)

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Bureau of Women, Infant and Adolescent Health (BWIAH), announces the availability of funds to support a Perinatal and Infant Community Health Collaboratives (PICHC) Center for Community Action (CCA). The PICHC CCA will promote a standard of excellence for the implementation of perinatal and infant health community-based programs through the provision of training, technical assistance, and expertise to agencies funded by the NYSDOH PICHC initiative. This Request for Applications (RFA) is a companion to the PICHC RFA that was issued on July 28, 2021 to solicit PICHC programs. The selected PICHC CCA will support PICHC programs on implementation of best practice community-based strategies to improve perinatal and infant health outcomes through the provision of technical assistance, training and quality improvement efforts. Due March 22, 2022

The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) announces the availability of funds for the development of a Young Adult Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team within Erie County, Monroe County, Onondaga County, Westchester County or Nassau County in New York State. ACT is a multidisciplinary, evidence-based, team approach to providing comprehensive and flexible treatment, support, and rehabilitation services. ACT teams are configured to have a low individual-to-staff ratio (9.9 to 1) with professional staff that include the disciplines of nursing, psychiatry, licensed mental health clinicians, vocational support, substance use counseling, and peer support. Due March 25, 2022

The State Education Department announced the availability of the National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant for School Food Authorities. This will be achieved by providing the opportunity for schools to purchase equipment to serve healthier meals, improve the overall quality of meals, improve food safety, expand participation in school meals programs, and help to support the establishment, maintenance, or expansion of the School Breakfast Program. Due March 31, 2022

The New York State Division of Veterans’ Services (DVS) is awarding $500,000 to not-for-profits that provide direct Assistance and Support for Veterans’ Programs, with a particular emphasis on assisting veterans who are justice-involved and/or at a heightened risk of becoming justice-involved. Due April 7, 2022

The New York State (NYS) Office of Mental Health (OMH) announces the availability of funds for the development of 14 Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams. ACT teams will serve individuals who have serious mental illness and have not been successfully engaged by the traditional mental health treatment and rehabilitation system. Due April 11, 2022

The New York State (NYS) Office of Mental Health (OMH) is pleased to announce the availability of funds to support a Mental Health Resource and Training Technical Assistance Center for Schools. The Mental Health Resource and Training Technical Assistance Center for Schools will provide support to all New York State public and private schools pursuant to Chapter 390 of the Laws of 2016 and Chapter 1 of the Laws of 2017, requiring mental health instruction as part of the K-12 health curricula. Due April 27, 2022

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Division of Environmental Health Assessment, Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Epidemiology, is soliciting applications from not-for-profit organizations to contract for a Children’s Environmental Health Center of Excellence (The Center of Excellence). A contract will be awarded to one not-for-profit organization to run this Children’s Environmental Health Center of Excellence. The Center of Excellence that is chosen must also develop and/or oversee a statewide network of Children’s Environmental Health Centers (the Network Centers). These statewide Network Centers will serve as a valuable resource in the recognition and treatment of environmental exposures adversely affecting the health of NY’s children. Due April 27, 2022

The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) has announced the Child Care Deserts Grant to address child care deserts by building and expanding licensed child care capacity to those areas of the state with the least supply. Federal funding is available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This RFA is making $63M available for new programs only. $7M will be reserved to fund grant award bonuses on awards for new programs under this RFA, for a total of $70M (70% of total available grant funds). Due May 19, 2022

The New York State (NYS) Office of Mental Health (OMH) and Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), announce the availability of operational funds and state-aid for the development of 12 new Intensive Crisis Stabilization Centers (ICSCs) within the 10 economic development regions. This system will emphasize a person-centered continuum of care that enables individuals to enter and exit the system based on need. Due May 19, 2022 (See above for more detail)

Upcoming

On March 2, 2022, the Higher Education Services Corporation will be hosting a New York State DREAM Act Panel Discussion at 7:00 PM. During this discussion, you can learn about the NYS DREAM Act’s eligibility requirements and how it can open doors to a higher education by providing access to the NYS Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), the Excelsior Scholarship and other NYS programs.

On March 4, 2022 there will be a joint hearing of the Senate Standing Committee on Education and Assembly Standing Committee on Education regarding mayoral control of NYC.

On April 5, 2022 through April 13, 2022, the Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs (Justice Center) will be hosting a Summit to feature several individual sessions covering policy updates, trends, prevention materials, and investigative tools. In addition, in-depth sessions on a variety of Justice Center programs will be available. The event is targeted for provider agencies under the jurisdiction of the Justice Center, individuals receiving services, families, peer advocates and other interested stakeholders. Click here for a summary of session topics and here to register.

On April 28 and April 29, 2022 The State Education Department will host a My Brothers Keeper Symposium from 9:45 AM – 1:30 PM.

2022 Regents Meeting Dates

  • March 14 – 15 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • April 11 – 12 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • May 16 – 17 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • June 13 – 14 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • July 11 – 12 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • August – Recess
  • September 12 – 13 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • October 3 – 4 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • November 14 – 15 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • December 12 – 13 (Monday and Tuesday)

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.