Plugged In To Education

July 12, 2024

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

What’s Inside

  • Governor Hochul Announces $38 Million in Funding to Support Critical Infrastructure Improvements at New York Colleges and Universities
  • Governor Announces More Than $956 Million in Financing to Fund Upgrades at School Districts Statewide
  • New Acting Commissioner at OPWDD Announced
  • New York Launches Statewide Teacher Recruitment Platform
  • Governor Hochul Announces More Than $40 Million in Capital Grants for More Than 130 Nonprofit Organizations Serving New York Veterans and Families
  • “Get Offline, Get Outside” Summer Campaign
  • 2024 Summer Food Service Program to Provide Meals at 2,500 Sites Statewide
  • Funding Opportunities
  • State Register
  • Coming Up

Governor Hochul Announces $38 Million in Funding to Support Critical Infrastructure Improvements at New York Colleges and Universities

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $38 million in capital grants at 33 colleges and universities across New York State through the Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program (HECap). These awards support projects that provide construction and renovation of new laboratory and research spaces, the purchase of new instructional technologies and equipment, and many other significant investments. Campuses that receive grants are required to invest at least $3 of their own funds for every $1 of state funds they receive. When combined with the college’s matching funds into these projects, this round of funding will result in $152 million being invested in New York’s higher educational communities.

Governor Announces More Than $956 Million in Financing to Fund Upgrades at School Districts Statewide

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that approximately $956.8 million in low-cost, tax-exempt bonds were issued in June through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York on behalf of 69 school districts across New York State. Projects supported by these bonds include classroom additions and renovations, athletic field improvements, energy efficiency upgrades, safety enhancements, and technology updates to promote innovation and collaboration.

New Acting Commissioner at OPWDD Announced

Earlier this year Commissioner Kerri Neifeld announced that she would be leaving her role as Commissioner of OPWDD at the end of June. As of July 1, Executive Deputy Commissioner Willow Baer has assumed the role of Acting Commissioner of OPWDD. Having served as the second in command at the agency for the last year after returning to OPWDD from an interim position as Assistant Counsel to the Governor and from her role as Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel at the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Willow Baer is well prepared to lead the agency as it meets the stated goals of its Strategic Plan. To read a message from Commissioner Baer, see this link.

New York Launches Statewide Teacher Recruitment Platform

The New York State Education Department and TEACH are partnering to launch TeachNY.org, a new digitally powered recruitment platform developed in collaboration with a wide coalition of New York schools, districts, institutions of higher education, and education organizations, Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced. The mission of TEACH New York (TeachNY) is to identify and cultivate the next generation of teachers throughout the state.

Governor Hochul Announces More Than $40 Million in Capital Grants for More Than 130 Nonprofit Organizations Serving New York Veterans and Families

Governor Kathy Hochul announced more than $40 million in capital grants to support critical capital and infrastructure needs at 136 nonprofit organizations serving New York families and veterans. Specifically, $39.6 million was awarded to 118 human services organization through the Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program. NICIP, administered by the Dormitory Authority of New York State provides capital grants of up to $500,000 to empower nonprofits across the state to undertake projects that improve the delivery of critical services. The Governor also announced $1.13 million in awards to 18 veterans services organizations through the Veterans’ Nonprofit Capital Program. VNCP grants reimburse veterans organizations for capital improvement projects ranging from $25,000 to $75,000. The program supports architecture, design, engineering, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or expansion of an eligible facility, and purchase of eligible furnishings or equipment.

“Get Offline, Get Outside” Summer Campaign

Governor Kathy Hochul launched the “Get Offline, Get Outside” summer campaign to promote physical and mental health by helping New York’s kids and families to put down their phones and computers, take a break from social media, and enjoy recreation and outdoor social gatherings. Governor Hochul kicked off the campaign by announcing that the State is waiving swimming pool entry fees at New York State Parks this summer.

2024 Summer Food Service Program to Provide Meals at 2,500 Sites Statewide

The State Education Department announced the beginning of the 2024 Summer Food Service Program which will provide free meals to approximately 400,000 young people at nearly 2,500 sites statewide. It is anticipated that more than 20 million nutritious meals will be served to New York State’s children this summer. An interactive USDA online map helps families search for a service site by address, city, or zip code. The Summer Food Service Program was established to ensure that low-income children aged 18 and younger receive nutritious meals when schools are not in session.

Funding Opportunities

As part of the Governor’s NY SWIMS initiative, the NYS Office of Parks and Recreation announced the Connect Kids to Swimming Instruction Transportation Grant, a new reimbursement grant program for expenses related to transportation to swimming instruction. The applicant must cover all upfront-initial costs related to the approved transportation to swimming instruction travel. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis in the order they are received, while funding is available.

The NYS Office of Mental Health announced the availability of funds to support the implementation of the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) Initiative. It is anticipated that OMH will make up to 18 awards across the state, contingent upon availability of funding. This funding is specifically targeted for Community Oriented Recovery and Empowerment (CORE) Services providers designated to provide Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) to fully implement the IPS model of supported employment. Due July 24, 2024

Governor Hochul announced the launch of Round XIV of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative. The Consolidated Funding Application is due July 31, 2024

The NYS Department of Labor issued a Request for Applications (RFA) for the Reemployment Training Grant (RTG) Program to secure the services of eligible organizations that can assist by providing occupational skills training commensurate with regional priorities to unemployed/underemployed individuals to qualify them for full-time or part-time employment or if currently employed, a higher level of employment. Due August 2, 2024

The NYS Department of Labor issued a Request for Applications (RFA) for Employee Retention and Advancement Training (ERAT) to provide occupational skills training, commensurate with regional priorities, to incumbent workers who are currently in low and middle-skills occupations, leading to job advancement and retention. Due August 2, 2024

The NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute (NYSDOH AI), Division of HIV/STD/ HCV Prevention Office of Population Health and Prevention Programs, announced the availability of State funds to support HIV/STI/HCV Prevention and related services for Women and Girls. This procurement will identify service providers to develop and/or enhance comprehensive HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infections/ Hepatitis C programs through the implementation of proven high impact prevention strategies and innovative interventions for Women and Girls with a focus on communities of color (Black, Latino/Latinx, Native American/ Indigenous people, and Asian populations). Due August 7, 2024

The Bureau of Refugee Services (BRS) of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Services to Older Refugees Program to provide assistance to older refugees aged 60 and above for the purpose of accessing available mainstream aging services in their communities. Due August 23, 2024

The NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets announced the availability of funds for the FreshConnect CSA for SNAP Grant Program. The FreshConnect CSA for SNAP program will allow SNAP participants to access the popular Community Supported Agriculture model by partially subsidizing the cost of weekly share purchases. Due August 27, 2024

The NYS Department of Labor (NYSDOL) announced the Teacher Residency Program (TRP) to partially or fully fund master’s degrees for teacher residents who are enrolled in a residency program registered with the New York State Education Department (NYSED). These residents must be graduate-level PK-12 teacher candidates who will complete a residency within a New York State (NYS) public school district, private school, charter school, or Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) program. Due August 30, 2024

The Office of Mental Health, with the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, is seeking proposals from not-for-profit organizations to operate Enhanced Step-Down Programs. These programs are for Adults with Co-Occurring Mental Health and Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities. They must include a specialized model of critical time intervention and transitional housing to support safe discharges from inpatient units and emergency departments. OMH intends to award five programs throughout the State serving: New York City, Western New York, Central New York, Hudson River, and Long Island. Due September 25, 2024

State Register

State Education Department

  • Dispensing Self-Administered Hormonal Contraceptives (Emergency)
  • Administration of Injectable Medications by Pharmacists for the Treatment of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder (Emergency)
  • Eligibility Criteria for State Financial Aid, Including the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) (Adopted)
  • Requires a Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy for Licensure (Proposed)

Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services

Office of Mental Health

  • Relating to Residential Treatment Facilities (RTF) (Adopted)

Coming Up

2024 Regents Meeting Dates

  • July 15 – 16 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • August – Recess
  • September 9 – 10 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • October 7 – 8 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • November 4 – 5 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • December 9 – 10 (Monday and Tuesday)

State Board Meetings

  • Public Accountancy: July 24, 2024
  • Medical Physics: September 5, 2024
  • Medicine: September 6, 2024
  • Professional Engineering, Land Surveying and Geology: September 12, 2024
  • Acupuncture: September 16, 2024 (New York City)
  • Mental Health Practitioners: September 20, 2024

OTDA Meetings

  • August 1, 2024, 1:00 p.m.: HEAP Block Grant Advisory Council (BGAC)
  • August 14, 2024, 1:30 p.m.: Homeless Housing and Assistance Corporation (HHAC)

Not-for-Profit Contracting Advisory Committee (NFPCAC)

  • July 19, 2024
  • September 17, 2024
  • November 19, 2024

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.