Education & Human Services News July 31, 2019
Capital Funding Announced for Not-for-Profit Colleges and Universities
Governor Cuomo announced funding for capital projects at 35 colleges and universities across New York. The funding comes from the Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program and is awarded by the HECap Board, which provides matching grants to private, not-for-profit colleges and universities for projects that create construction jobs and drive investment in communities across the state. A full list of projects awarded funding from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), which administers the program on behalf of the Board, is available here.
Governor Cuomo Announces Funding to Strengthen and Preserve Access to High-Quality Health Care
Governor Cuomo today announced $187 million in funding to support 25 statewide projects that will protect and transform New York State’s health care system. This funding from the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program will improve patient care through the development of high-quality medical facilities and programs serving the inpatient, primary care, mental health, substance use disorder and long-term care needs of communities throughout the State. These awards continue the State’s commitment to preserve and expand essential health care services in communities throughout New York State. Additional awards will be announced in the coming months. Requests for applications for the next round of Health Care Facility Transformation Program awards will be issued later this year.
New York State Office for the Aging Releases Application to Create Healthy, Age-friendly Communities
The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), in cooperation with the New York State Departments of State and Health, released a grant program application 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.
Senate Majority Announces Statewide Hearings on Opioids, Addiction & Overdose Prevention
The Senate Democratic Conference announced that the Joint Senate Task Force on Opioids, Addiction & Overdose Prevention will be holding seven hearings and roundtable discussions across the state to review of New York’s overdose crisis and the State’s approach to drug use, with a focus on saving lives and improving individual and community health. The Task Force will hold discussions with stakeholders and carry out a review of best practices to identify gaps in the current system and to develop short- and long-term legislative and budgetary solutions. The first hearing will take place on August 9 in the Bronx, with subsequent hearings and roundtables taking place in Central New York, Buffalo, Staten Island, the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and Albany. Dates for subsequent hearings have yet to be announced.
2019-20 Special Education Rate Setting Methodology Letters Posted
The 2019-20 Rate Setting Methodology letters for school age and preschool programs have been posted to the Education Department’s website. Notably, a 3.6 percent trend factor has been approved for the 2019‐20 school year for school‐age programs and a 2.0 percent trend factor has been approved for the 2019‐20 school year for preschool special class and special class in an integrated setting programs. In addition, $8 million for school‐age and preschool programs will be calculated for the Excessive Teacher Turnover Prevention Program and will be directly incorporated into the 2019‐20 prospective tuition rates for qualifying providers.
Report Regarding Nonprofit Employment in NYS is Released
A report released earlier this month by New York State Comptroller DiNapoli profiled employment and wages of New York’s nonprofit sector and found that in total, New York led the nation in nonprofit employment with more than 1.4 million jobs and total wages of just over $78 billion in 2017. In addition, nonprofit entities added more than 175,000 jobs in New York from 2007-2017, a gain of 14 percent. These organizations provided 17.8 percent of New York’s private sector employment in 2017, compared to 10.2 percent nationwide. Comptroller DiNapoli said “Nonprofit charitable organizations have a significant and growing impact on New York’s economy. Yet many face challenges, including the potential impact of federal tax changes and difficulties in attracting and retaining workers, which require ongoing attention.” Click here to view the full report.
Blue Ribbon Commission on NY State’s Diploma Announced
Earlier this month, the Board of Regents announced a Blue Ribbon Commission of stakeholders will be created to review current diploma requirements. The Commission will be comprised of current or recent parents, students, educators, researchers, advocates, higher education representatives, and business leaders. The purpose of the commission will be to make recommendations to revise current diploma requirements; ensure all students have access to multiple graduation pathways; and include a recommended transition plan timeline that allows time to prepare for and implement the changes. A draft timeline of the Commission is as follows:
- September 2019 – Establish the commission’s membership and draft meeting schedule.
- October 2019 – 1st meeting – The commission sets its vision.
- December 2019 – 2nd meeting –The commission identifies priority areas, “Big Questions” and recommendation framework. Assign sub-groups for priority areas.
- January – March 2020 – Sub-groups meet.
- April 2020 – Sub-groups report to the commission on proposed recommendations.
- Summer 2020 – The commission finalizes recommendations and report is prepared with a focus on the impact to current requirements.
- Fall 2020 – The commission’s final report is presented to the Board of Regents for its consideration.
New FAQ Regarding Vaccinations Released
A new Frequently Asked Questions About Vaccination Requirements document – Vaccination Requirements Applicable to All Students, has been issued jointly by the New York State Department of Health, Office of Children and Family Services and the State Education Department. This document is in follow-up to the Frequently Asked Questions About Legislation Removing Non-Medical Exemptions from Vaccination Requirements issued on June 18, 2019.
Federal Regulations Released to Revise Categorical Eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued proposed regulations to close a loophole that allows states to make participants receiving minimal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits automatically eligible to participate in USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The proposed rule published last week in the Federal Register would limit SNAP/TANF automatic eligibility to households that receive substantial, ongoing TANF-funded benefits aimed at helping families move towards self-sufficiency. Media outlets are reporting that U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 3 million people would lose their food assistance as a result. The public comment period on these federal proposed regulations closes September 23, 2019.
Comptroller Report Finds Schools Falling Short on Emergency Planning
According to an audit of safety planning at 19 schools released by New York State Comptroller DiNapoli earlier this month, schools are not doing enough to prepare for emergency situations like shootings. Auditors found none of the schools met the minimum planning or training requirements of the State Education Department (SED), which oversees safety planning for schools. “New York’s schools must be better prepared for emergencies and violent incidents. My auditors looked at a sample of big and small schools in urban, suburban and rural settings. We found too many schools had gaps in their safety plans that could leave them unprepared if a shooting or life-threatening incident occurred,” DiNapoli said. Click here to view the full audit.
Legislative Spotlight
The following bills were signed into law:
Use of Campaign Funds For Childcare Expenses
A1108-B Rosenthal L
S2680-A Mayer
This law allows all candidates for state and local offices within New York State to use campaign funds for any childcare expenses incurred as a direct result of their candidacy. “Women face too many barriers when it comes to running for office and frankly child care expenses shouldn’t be one of them,” Governor Cuomo said. “By signing this measure into law, we will build on the historic progress we’ve made toward gender equality and empower more parents – and mothers in particular – to seek public office to ensure the decision makers in Albany reflect the people they are elected to represent.”
- Status: Signed, Chapter 136 of the laws of 2019
- Effective Date: September 28, 2019
Increases the Age to Purchase Tobacco Products
A558-A Rosenthal L
S2833 Savino
This law increases the purchasing age for tobacco products from eighteen to twenty-one. “New York is taking aggressive action to stamp out smoking among teens and children, but tobacco and e-cigarette use still persists thanks to irresponsible corporate marketing campaigns targeting young people,” Governor Cuomo said. “By raising the smoking age from 18 to 21, we can stop cigarettes and e-cigarettes from getting into the hands of young people in the first place and prevent an entire generation of New Yorkers from forming costly and potentially deadly addictions.”
- Status: Signed, Chapter 100 of the laws of 2019
- Effective Date: November 13, 2019
Anti-Discrimination Protections in Schools
A3425 Dilan
S4901 Mayer
This law amends the Human Rights Law so that its antidiscrimination provisions which afford protection against discrimination, harassment and bullying for members of protected groups, apply to public educational institutions including any public school, board of cooperative education services (BOCES), public college or public university, and not just to private schools. “Every student has the right to pursue an education free from bullying, harassment and discrimination,” Governor Cuomo said. “By signing this bill into law, we are building on New York’s legacy of equality and fairness and guaranteeing public school students get the protections they deserve.”
- Status: Signed, Chapter 116 of the laws of 2019
- Effective Date: July 25, 2019
Notices Pertaining to Children’s Non-Regulated Camp
A2029 Abinanti
S1140 Carlucci
This law requires camps that are not regulated by the Department of Health to provide such notice to parents and guardians prior to enrolling their child.
- Status: Signed, Chapter 103 of the laws of 2019
- Effective Date: October 14, 2019
New York State Reuniting Families Act
A2106-A Kim
S5024-A Parker
This law adds “immigration detention or immigration removal proceedings” to the list of exceptions that local social service departments may use when determining to terminate parental rights parental rights when a child has been in foster care for 15 of the most recent 22 months.
- Status: Signed, Chapter 125 of the laws of 2019
- Effective Date: October 25, 2019
Limits Weapons on School Grounds
A1715-A Griffin
S101-A Kaminsky
This law limits the ability of schools to authorize teachers, administrators, and other school employees who are not employed as peace officers, school resources officers, security guards who are registered armed guards, or police officers from possessing a firearm on school grounds. Prior to this law, possession of a firearm on the grounds of any school, college, university, or school bus was a felony criminal offense, unless the educational institution in question provided written authorization to possess such firearm. This law limits the ability of any school – inclusive of public schools, school districts, charter schools, non-public schools, BOCES, special act school districts, 4201 schools, and 853 schools – from issuing such an authorization. The ability of colleges and universities to do so would not be impacted.
- Status: Signed
· Effective Date: 30 days after it becomes law
New York State Register
Instructional Time for State Aid Purposes
The State Education Department issued a notice of proposed rule making and emergency adoption to provide schools districts with notice that if they cannot meet the minimum instructional requirements due to safety and/or scheduling issues they can apply to the Commissioner for a single waiver for up to four school years of such requirements by November 15, 2019. Public comment will be received for 60 days.
School and District Safety Plans
The State Education Department issued a notice of proposed rule making and emergency adoption to provide additional clarity regarding requirements for public comment periods and board adoption of district-wide safety plans. The proposed amendment clarifies that the district-wide safety plans and building plans shall be submitted on October 1 of each school year; instead of the previous requirement, which required school districts to submit districtwide safety plans by October 1 and school-level building plans by October 15. This will simplify the plan submission process for the districts. Public comment will be received for 60 days.
Assessments and Student Official Transcripts and Permanent Records
The State Education Department issued a notice of adoption to continue previously adopted regulations which removes the sunset and makes the following provision regarding assessments and student official transcripts permanent: “No school district or BOCES may place or include on a student’s official transcript or maintain in a student’s permanent record any individual student score on a State administered standardized English language arts or mathematics assessment for grades three through eight, provided that nothing herein shall be construed to interfere with required State or federal reporting or to excuse a school district from maintaining or transferring records of such test scores separately from a student’s permanent record, including for purposed of required State or federal reporting.”
Safety Net for the Educational Technology Specialist Content Specialty Test (CST)
The State Education Department issued a notice of adoption extending the educational technology specialist Content Specialty Test (CST) safety net through June 30, 2019.
Certification Requirements for School Counselor
The State Education Department issued a notice of adoption to require 48 and 60-semester hour programs counseling include a minimum of 48 hours of graduate study in eight core content areas.
Extension of the EdTPA Safety Net for Candidates Who Receive a Failing Score on the Library Specialist EdTPA
The State Education Department issued a notice of adoption to extend the edTPA safety net for candidates who receive a failing score on the library specialist edTPA from September 30, 2019 to December 31, 2021. The safety net enables candidates to be held harmless during the handbook revision process.
Strengthening Data Privacy and Security in NY State Educational Agencies to Protect Personally Identifiable Information
The State Education Department issued a notice of revised rulemaking to strengthen data security and privacy in NY state educational agencies to protect personally identifiable information. Public comment will be received for 45 days.
Student Loan Servicers
The Department of Financial Services issued a notice of proposed rule making provide for the supervision of the student loan servicing industry. Public comment will be received for 60 days.
Procedures for Addressing Children Absent Without Consent from Foster Care, Conditional Releases and Searches
The Office of Children and Family Services issued a notice of emergency adoption to continue previously adopted regulations regarding oversight by local departments of social services and authorized agencies of Raise the Age youth. The regulations were initially adopted on an emergency basis on April 17, 2019 and published in the State Register on May 8, 2019. The public comment period closes on July 8, 2019, one week before the emergency adoption expires on July 15. To provide the Office time to review and respond to public comment prior to final adoption, a second emergency adoption is necessary.
Establish Standards for Providers Who Wish to Become Licensed Children’s Mental Health Rehabilitation Programs
The Office of Mental Health issued a notice of adoption to establish standards for providers who wish to become licensed Children’s Mental Health Rehabilitation programs. Providers who become licensed will be responsible for the provision and coordination of five of the new State Plan services, including: Other Licensed Practitioner, Community Psychiatric Supports and Treatment, Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Family Peer Support, Services, and Youth Peer Support and Training. The changes made to the draft regulation were unsubstantial in nature and include the insertion of language for clarification or consistency.
State Basic Financial Assistance for the Operating Expenses of Community Colleges Under the Program of SUNY and CUNY
The State University of New York issued a notice of proposed rule making to modify limitations formula for basic State financial assistance and institute an operating support ‘‘floor’’ for the operating expenses of community colleges under the program of SUNY and CUNY. Public comment will be received for 60 days.
State University of New York Tuition and Fees Schedule
The State University of New York issued a notice of proposed rule making 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. Public comment will be received for 60 days.
Higher Education Programs
The Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) has issued a notice of emergency adoption and proposed rule making for the following programs in order for HESC to be able to process applications in a timely manner:
- New York State Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Incentive Program
- NYS Child Welfare Worker Loan Forgiveness Incentive Program
- NYS Child Welfare Worker Incentive Scholarship Program
- Enhanced Tuition Awards Program
· Excelsior Scholarship
Funding Opportunities
The Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative
This Request for Proposal (RFP) provides program and application guidelines for the NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative. OPDV is accepting proposals from NYS domestic violence providers/programs that are licensed and/or approved by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to create a new program or enhance an existing initiative aimed at domestic violence prevention.
Due August 2, 2019
Core Rehabilitation Services – Limited Rebid Opportunity
This procurement is a reissue of GC#18-004 Core Rehabilitation Services that awarded contracts that commenced on January 1, 2019. ACCES-VR identified service gaps at the following District Offices: Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, Albany, Mid-Hudson, Garden City and Hauppauge. However, this RFP will award contracts only for selected services, populations and geographic areas in New York State. Current contractors that are successful in receiving an award through this RFP will have the award processed as a contract amendment.
Due August 5, 2019
Job Placement Services and Diagnostic Vocational Evaluation Services
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.
Due August 9, 2019
The Office of Termporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) supports Access and Visitation Program efforts, through approved services delivered in safe settings, to help separated and divorced families of all income levels achieve improved parenting opportunities and develop abilities that enable both custodial and noncustodial parents to fulfill their responsibility to raise their children.
Due August 14, 2019
Mentorship in Medicine and Other Health Professions
The Department of Health (DOH) has announced funding to support activities and approaches designed to contribute toward the reduction of barriers by promoting an increase in the number of economically disadvantaged and underrepresented minority students who elect to pursue careers in medicine and health related professions to become physicians and other health care professionals. Not-for-profit, governmental entities and tribal organizations are eligible to apply.
Due August 22, 2019
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.
Due August 31, 2019
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
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
Healthy Neighborhoods Preventive Health Cornerstones – Reissue
The New York State Department of Health (DOH) is re-issuing this Request for Applications (RFA) to solicit applications to participate in the NYSDOH Healthy Neighborhoods Program (HNP) 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
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
Coming Up
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)
NYSED State Board Meetings
- Architecture: August 7, 2019 (New York City, Albany and Buffalo, via video)
- Landscape Architecture: August 14, 2019 (New York City)
Justice Center
The New York State Justice Center will be holding five regional conferences across New York State beginning May 22 (Albany), and continuing on June 24 (New Hampton), July 26 (Hamburg), October 4 (Syracuse), and October 24 (Brooklyn). Each session is targeted for different audiences including provider agency representatives under the jurisdiction of the Justice Center, individuals receiving services, families, peer advocates and other interested stakeholders.
Senate Majority Round table Discussions on Opioids, Addiction & Overdose Prevention
- August 9, 2019 at 10:00 AM, St. Barnabas Hospital, SBH Auditorium, Main Building, 1st Floor, 4422 Third Avenue, Bronx, New York