Education & Human Services News August 27, 2019
State Agencies Issue Emergency Regulations to Strengthen Medical Exemption Process For School Vaccinations
The New York State Department of Health (DOH) and the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) issued emergency regulations last week further strengthening and clarifying the process by which physicians can grant medical exemptions under the new state law which repealed non-medical exemptions for children attending school or child care. Effective immediately, physicians who issue medical exemptions will be required to complete the applicable medical exemption form approved by the New York State Department of Health or New York City Department of Education, which specifically outlines the medical reason(s) that prevent a child from being vaccinated. Additionally, the regulations require physicians to outline specific justifications for each required vaccine in order to be able to grant an exemption. Previously, regulations allowed for a physician to submit a signed statement to schools without having to document on an approved form stating why immunization may be detrimental to the child’s health. The emergency regulations apply to all children statewide, and they continue to require that medical exemptions must be reissued annually.
NYS Senate Hosts Roundtable on Mental Health Services in Central NY
On Friday, August 16, 2019 members of the NYS Senate held a roundtable discussion regarding mental health services for youth in Central New York. The discussion focused on a number of issues including: funding for services, flexibility and coordination of services, the correlation between mental health and the juvenile justice system, and workforce challenges. Senators May, Montgomery, and Carlucci said they will continue to work towards potential solutions to problems and challenges raised next legislative session. They will also continue to hold roundtable discussions in other parts of the state, dates and times TBD.
Red Flag Law in Effect
Governor Cuomo issued the following statement last week after announcing that New York State’s Red Flag Law was in effect: “New York has led the charge to end this madness by passing the strongest gun safety laws in the nation, including the Red Flag Law that was enacted this year and goes into effect today. This law makes New York the first state in the nation to empower teachers, law enforcement and family members to pursue court intervention when they believe someone is a danger to themselves or others. Nearly half of all perpetrators of mass shootings exhibit warning signs before the shooting; this new law will help keep guns away from those dangerous people in the first place and prevent needless tragedies.”
Collaborative Graduate-Level Grant Program to Develop Life Science Entrepreneurs Announced
Governor Cuomo announced a new grant program that will award up to $550,000 to qualified New York graduate schools of business, working in collaboration with medical schools or graduate programs in the life sciences, biomedical engineering or bioinformatics, to plan, develop and implement a new MBA concentration or certificate in life science entrepreneurship. This program is part of Governor Cuomo’s $620 million New York State Life Science Initiative, which is designed to spur the growth of a world-class commercial life science sector in New York State. More information about program expectations and an application form can be found on the ESD website.
School Districts Receive Low-Cost Financing for Capital Projects Statewide
Governor Cuomo announced that the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York has issued approximately $482.4 million in low-cost, tax-exempt bonds on behalf of 54 school districts across the state. The issuance is part of DASNY’s School Districts Revenue Bond Financing Program, which provides public school districts with an efficient financing alternative. Projects benefiting from the issuance include but are not limited to: fire, security, and air quality systems upgrades; interior and exterior renovations at numerous facilities including several classroom additions; athletic field improvements; and technology updates to promote innovation and collaboration.
State ELA and Math Scores Released
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) recently released results of the 2019 Grades 3-8 English language arts (ELA) and mathematics tests. In ELA, 45.4 percent of all test takers in grades 3-8 scored at the proficient level (Levels 3 and 4) an increase of 0.2 percentage points from 2018. In math, 46.7 percent of all test takers in grades 3-8 scored at the proficient level, up 2.2 percentage points from 44.5 in 2018. The state did not make significant changes to the 2019 assessments; therefore the 2019 results can be compared with the 2018 results. Among these slight increases, large achievement gaps still persist among certain demographics.
Legislative Spotlight
The following bills are currently in the Governor’s office for review:
Proceedings Against Juvenile and Adolescent Offenders
This bill amends the criminal procedure law so that any available magistrate judge has the authority to remove a juvenile or adolescent (with the consent of the DA) to family court at the initial appearance. Under current law, off-hour accessible magistrates are not authorized to remove a case to the family court at the initial appearance even if all parties agree it belongs in does not belong in criminal court.
Effective Date: If signed into law, this act shall take effect immediately
Small Group Insurance
This is a chapter amendment that makes changes to Chapter 457 of the Laws of 2018 relating to catastrophic or reinsurance coverage by reducing the timeframe in which it is in effect until 2021.
Effective Date: If signed into law, this act shall take effect immediately
Trauma on Child Development and Learning
This is a chapter amendment that makes changes to Chapter 460 of the Laws of 2018 in relation to a study on the effects of trauma on child development and learning to require the commissioner of the Office of Children and Family Services to lead the study. On or before December 31, 2020 the commissioner shall deliver a report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature.
Effective Date: If signed into law, this act shall take effect immediately
Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking
This bill extends, for two years, the provisions of law relating to the interagency task force on human trafficking.
Effective Date: If signed into law, this act shall take effect immediately
Exemption of Income and Resources
This bill extends, for two years, the income and resource exemption provisions to ensure that families will not have to divest themselves of certain resources to qualify for public assistance.
Effective Date: If signed into law, this act shall take effect immediately
New York State Register
Execution by Registered Professional Nurses of Non-Patient Specific Orders to Administer Immunizations
The State Education Department (SED) has re-issued a notice of emergency rulemaking that allows registered professional nurses (RNs) to immunize infants, children and adults against additional infectious diseases, in accordance with current recommendations from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Certification of Manufacturers and Wholesalers for Export Purposes
The State Education Department (SED) has re-issued a notice of emergency rulemaking allowing the commissioner of the department to issue free sale certificates, permitting New York State registered manufacturers or wholesalers to sell their drugs and/or devices in foreign countries. This is required in the absence of an executive secretary of the State Board of Pharmacy.
Higher Education Programs
The Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) has issued a notice of emergency and final adoption for the following programs in order for HESC to be able to process applications in a timely manner:
- New York State Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program
- New York State Masters-In-Education Teacher Incentive Scholarship Program
- New York State Get on Your Feet Loan Forgiveness Program
- New York State Part-Time Scholarship (PTS) Award Program
- New York State Achievement and Investment in Merit Scholarship (NY-AIMS)
State Basic Financial Assistance for Operating Expenses of Community Colleges Under the Program of SUNY and CUNY
The State University of New York (SUNY) has issued a notice of emergency adoption to modify the limitations formula for basic State financial assistance and institute an operating support ‘‘floor’’ for operating expenses of community colleges under SUNY and CUNY.
State University of New York Tuition and Fees Schedule
The State University of New York (SUNY) has issued a notice of emergency adoption to amend the tuition and fees schedule to increase tuition for students in all programs of the State University of New York. Tuition charges are listed for categories of students, terms and programs, and are effective with the 2019 fall term and thereafter.
Life Sciences Initiative Program
The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has issued a notice of emergency adoption and proposed rule making to create administrative procedures for both components of the Life Sciences Initiative program, the Capital Assistance component and the New York Fund for Innovation in Research and Scientific Talent (“NYFIRST”) Program. NYFIRST is intended to encourage the recruitment and retention of exceptional life science researchers and world-class talent at the state’s medical schools to accelerate translational research. It is critical to implement NYFIRST immediately because medical schools are eager to encourage translational research at their institutions, as such research often results in new intellectual property, start-up companies, and products with commercial promise. Public comment will be received for 60 days.
Funding Opportunities
New York State Age-Friendly Planning Grant Program
The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) seeks applications from counties to support Governor Cuomo’s priority of promoting policies and programs that bolster New York State’s position as the first age-friendly state in the nation. The Age-Friendly Planning Grant Program will build upon the State’s successes and offer funding within each Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) Region of $800,000 total to fund age-friendly planning and activities as well as $200,000 total to support Age Friendly Centers of Excellence.
Due August 30, 2019
2019-20 Title I School Improvement Grant 1003 Basic
Section 1003 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) requires that State Education Agencies allocate funds to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) for Comprehensive Support and Improvement schools (CSI), Targeted Support and Improvement schools (TSI), and Target Districts to develop a plan that will meet the progress goals in their 2019-20 District Comprehensive Improvement Plan (DCIP) and 2019-20 School Comprehensive Education Plan(s) (SCEP) and thereby improve student performance. These funds are to be used to support planning and implementation of school improvement activities as required in the ESEA. The following districts/schools The following districts/schools are eligible: Title I Target Districts; CSI Schools; and TSI Schools.
Due August 31, 2019
2020-2024 Smart Scholars Early College High School (SS-ECHS)
Through the creation of Smart Scholars ECHS Programs consisting of partnerships between public school districts, BOCES, and eligible institutions of higher education (IHEs), historically underrepresented and/or economically disadvantaged students in Grades 9-12 will be provided additional counseling and academic support and college courses which will be used to both meet the high school graduation/Regents diploma requirements and earn a minimum of 24 and up to 60 transferable college credits or an associate degree at no cost to their families. Public school districts or BOCES must serve as the applicant/fiscal agent for this grant program. An exception will be made for applications from IHEs that currently serve as lead fiscal agent in an existing Smart Scholars ECHS partnership. Those IHEs may serve as the applicant/fiscal agent for new projects proposed under this RFP, in which case they must be named on the cover page as the applicant (i.e., Research Foundation may be designated as fiscal agent but is not allowed to be named the lead applicant).
Due September 4, 2019
Empire State After-School Program
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), in consultation with the New York State Education Department invites eligible school districts and not-for-profit community-based organizations to submit proposals for the establishment and/or expansion of quality after-school programs for the Empire State After-School Program (ESAP). The 2019-20 State Budget appropriates $10 million to establish and/or expand Empire State After-School Programs. ESAP grant funds shall only be used to supplement, and not supplant, current local expenditures of federal, state or local funds on after-school programs and the number of students served in such programs from such sources. Applicants funded under this RFP will be required to provide an assurance that the applicants will partner with state and local law enforcement in gang prevention and education initiatives.
Due September 6, 2019
The Office for Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) has announced the availability of capital grant(s) to establish up to 350 new Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) slots in counties throughout New York State. These new slots will be placed in areas that do not currently have OTP Services, or have limited capacity. Priority will be given to those bidders seeking to establish an OTP in a county(ies) with the highest percentage of county residents seeking OTP services outside the county. Bidders must submit a proposal(s) for a minimum of 100 OTP slots per site, up to a maximum total of 350 OTP slots. Eligible Applicants are OASAS community-based voluntary agencies that operate one or more OASAS-certified program(s), hospitals that operate one or more OASAS-certified program(s), and Local Governmental Units (LGUs) that operate one or more OASAS certified program(s).
Due September 12, 2019
Job Placement Services and Diagnostic Vocational Evaluation Services ROUND 2
The New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) announces a Solicitation of Interest (SOI) for qualified entities that provide Job Placement Services and/or Diagnostic Vocational Evaluation Services to individuals who are legally blind. This “Round 2” SOI is not applicable to those who applied to Round 1 and have received an award letter. If you previously applied and were selected to provide these services under SOI # 2019-01, you do not need to apply again.
Due September 12, 2019
Healthy Neighborhoods Preventive Health Cornerstones – Reissue
The New York State Department of Health (DOH) is re-issuing this Request for Applications (RFA) to provide preventive environmental health services to targeted geographic areas. These areas sometimes include environmental justice communities and are usually home to at-risk populations including low-income and often minority families, living in homes and neighborhoods with a disproportionate number of residential hazards. The funds will provide the resources needed to address significant public health issues in targeted areas to provide a healthier home environment for the citizens of New York State.
Due September 13, 2019
School Year 2019-2020 Additional Grants for the Expanded Prekindergarten (EPK Round 4)
The purpose of Additional Grants for Expanded Prekindergarten for Three- and Four-Year Old Students is to increase the availability of high quality prekindergarten placements for high need children and schools within New York State. All public school districts are eligible to apply. Due to the highly competitive nature of this grant, a strong preference for funding will be given to high need districts, especially those that currently do not offer a state funded prekindergarten program.
Due September 18, 2019
The New York State Department of Health is seeking a contractor to conduct annual cost studies to determine actual direct and indirect costs incurred by public school districts and counties (preschools) for medical care, services, and supplies, including related special education services furnished to children with disabilities. In addition, this contractor will operate a certified public expenditure (CPE) reimbursement methodology for public school districts and counties for services delivered under the Preschool/School Supportive Health Services Program (collectively, “SSHSP”).
Due September 20, 2019
Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) Round 4
New York State is issuing this Request for Proposals (RFP) to advance the five-year goal of developing more than 6,000 units of supportive housing over five years for persons identified as homeless with special needs, conditions or other life challenges. No capital funds are available through this RFP. The intent of this RFP is to provide the service and operating funding needed to operate the permanent supportive housing units in an integrated setting that will be developed through capital funding made available through capital funding mechanisms. The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) will serve as the lead procurement agency for this Request for Proposals (RFP) under the guidance of the ESSHI Interagency Workgroup.
Due September 25, 2019
Latino Health Outreach Initiative
The Department of Health (DOH) announces the availability of funding for programs that will provide services to reduce system access barriers for Latino populations. Applications submitted in response to this solicitation should demonstrate the applicants’ ability to design and implement effective programs to provide support and mentoring services for racial and ethnic populations, specifically Latinos, using culturally and linguistically relevant, age, gender, and developmentally appropriate interventions and strategies; and use monitoring and evaluation tools to continually enhance program services.
Due October 3, 2019
The New York State Pathways in Technology Early College High School (NYS P-TECH) Program will prepare thousands of New York students for high-skills jobs of the future in technology, manufacturing, and finance. The model incorporates an integrated six-year program that combines high school, college, and career training and will be targeted to academically and economically at-risk students. A New York State public school district or a BOCES must serve as the fiscal agent/applicant for each application.
Due October 1, 2019
Healthcare Practitioner Breast Cancer Education Research Projects (Round 3)
The purpose of the Healthcare Practitioner Breast Cancer Education Research Projects RFA is to facilitate the delivery of superior breast healthcare in New York State through an investment in the planning, development, implementation, rigorous evaluation and revision of innovative breast cancer education and communication training programs for healthcare practitioners and students of these professions. These research projects will focus on developing programs to enhance the ability of healthcare practitioners and students to become partners with their breast cancer patients, patients at-risk for developing breast cancer, and/or patients at risk of breast cancer recurrence and to communicate accurately and effectively with patients, survivors, and patients’ families. Approximately $270,000 is available to support approximately one (1) award from this RFA. The funding is available for a period of up to three years. The annual direct costs are capped at $75,000 per year. Additionally, funds will be available to support Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs up to 20 percent of modified total direct costs.
Due October 10, 2019
2020 Conservation Preservation Grants
To encourage the proper care and accessibility of research materials in the State, to promote the use and development of guidelines and standards for conservation/preservation work, and to support the growth of local and cooperative preservation programs. To provide modest financial support for projects that contribute to the preservation of significant research materials in libraries, archives, historical societies, and other agencies within the State of New York, whether by improving collection storage environments, reformatting or treating collections or other preservation activities described in these guidelines.
Due November 8, 2019
National Dislocated Worker Grant – Hurricane Maria (NDWG – HM)
NYSDOL is making up to $401,865 for the NDWG-HM program available until January 10, 2020. This funding is available for the provision of participant outreach and Career Center enrollment, job ready and career development services, employment access and follow-up services to individuals who are unemployed or underemployed due to or impacted by Hurricane Maria and/or migrated to NYS from Puerto Rico after being dislocated due to Hurricane Maria. Single award amounts will not exceed $100,000. Applicants that receive an award under this RFA, accrue expenditures of at least 70% of the award amount, and maintain compliance with the terms and conditions of the RFA may reapply for an additional $100,000 award, if sufficient funding and time remain.
Due January 10, 2020
Community Based Residential Program
The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) invites applications from not-for-profit and for-profit providers for the development and operation of Community Based Residential Programs (CBRP) for individuals under Community Supervision. The CBRP is a housing initiative to assist parolees under the jurisdiction of DOCCS to attain stability in the community while providing for individual case needs and community safety.
Due January 30, 2020
Apprenticeship Expansion Grant (AEG- 2) Request for Applications (RFA)
The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) is making up to $3.7 million in funding available to increase employment opportunities for approximately 800 apprentices with a focus on underrepresented populations. These apprentices will enter into trades in high-demand occupations, with a focus on the emerging fields of Advanced Manufacturing, Healthcare, and Information Technology, as well as other in-demand occupations. Please note that this solicitation focuses on promoting the expansion of NYS RAs and as such, RAs in the field of construction are not eligible for funding under this RFA unless the trade is to be used for the upkeep and maintenance of a facility owned by the business entity employing the apprentice, such as plant maintenance trades.
Due April 30, 2020
Coming Up
Senate Majority Roundtable Discussions on Opioids, Addiction & Overdose Prevention
- The Staten Island roundtable will be held on September 16, 2019 at 11:00 AM in the Kelleher Center, St. Johns Staten Island Campus, Staten Island, New York.
- The Albany roundtable will be held on November 15, 2019 at 10:00 AM in the Van Buren Hearing Room A, Legislative Office Building, 2nd Floor, Albany, New York.
Board of Regents Monthly Meetings
- 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)
Upcoming NYSED State Board Meetings
- Podiatry: September 6, 2019 (New York City)
- Professional Engineering, Land Surveying and Geology: September 11, 2019 (Albany, New York City, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo, via video)
- Veterinary Medicine: September 13, 2019 (New York City, Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse and Rochester, via video)
- Acupuncture: September 16, 2019 (New York City)
- Social Work: October 2, 2019 (New York City, Albany and Syracuse, via video)