Plugged In To Education

July 6, 2021

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

Highlights

Alyssa’s Law Signed by Governor

Last week Governor Kathy Hochul signed Alyssa’s Law (S.7132B/A.10018) which requires schools to consider the use of silent panic alarm systems when developing their district-level school safety plans. “I am proud of the work we have done to pass a nation-leading bill package to crack down on the scourge of gun violence, but this is an ongoing fight and we cannot stop there,” Governor Hochul said.

OPWDD Prepares Draft Plan

The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) announced they are preparing the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan that will guide the agency over the next five years. Stakeholders are encouraged to review the draft plan and provide feedback.

SED Releases Resource to Support Remote and Hybrid Teaching

The State Education Department released a new resource to provide educators across New York State with a tool to support instruction using technology, including for students in remote and hybrid learning environments. According to the press release, the framework results from nearly two years of work alongside educators and stakeholders through the Department’s Teaching in Remote Learning Environments (TRLE) project and input from more than 10,000 educators and other K-12 stakeholders.

NY Register

June 29, 2022

Notices of Emergency Rule Making

  • To implement chapter 812 of the Laws of 2021 regarding accelerated due process procedures. SED
  • To require COVID-19 vaccinations in certain OPWDD settings. OPWDD

Notices of Emergency Adoption and Proposed Rule Making/60 Day Public Comment

  • To ensure that the cancellation of the Regents Examination in United States History and Government for June 2022 does not adversely impact students. SED
  • To secure a waiver extension from the United Stated Department of Education of certain ESSA requirements by providing flexibility to schools and districts regarding the administration of Regents examinations in mathematics to grade 6 students and in science to grade 7 students. SED
  • To provide regulatory flexibility for students to graduate with a local diploma. SED
  • To align the Commissioner’s regulations with chapter 198 of the Laws of 2022, permitting dental hygienists to use local infiltration and nitrus oxide anesthetic modalities. SED
  • To extend the date by which School Building Leader (SBL) preparation programs must be aligned with the new Professional Standards in Educational Leaders (PSELs) standards, revised the definition of “leadership standards” and change the deadline for the School Building Leader Assessment safety net. SED
  • To issue diplomas to students who have met all diploma requirements and are confined to certain facilities that provide educational programming but do not have the authority to issue diplomas. SED

Notices of Proposed Rule Making/60 Day Public Comment

  • To extend the implementation timelines for the Computer Science Statement of Continued Eligibility (SOCE) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. SED
  • To add computer science under the umbrella of Career and Technical Education (CTE) subjects. SED
  • To repeal limits on administrative expenses and executive compensation. DOH
  • To ensure people are treated with dignity and respect by using gender neutral language. OPWDD

Notices of Revised Rule Making/45 Day Public Comment

  • To establish the Literacy (All Grades) certificate. SED

Notices of Adoption

  • To add a new class of drugs, Rho kinase inhibitors, to the list of drugs that an optometrist certified to use phase two therapeutic pharmaceutical agents may use and prescribe to treat patients, in accordance with the Commissioner of Health’s recommendation. SED
  • To revise the content core requirements in registered teacher preparation programs and the individual evaluation pathway to certification for candidates who are seeking an additional science certificate. SED
  • To modernize the language and align requirements of the regional technology plans required to be submitted by BOCES. SED

To establish standards for a Crisis Stabilization Center which provides a full range of psychiatric and substance use services. OMH

Funding Opportunities

The NYS Department of Health (DOH) is seeking not-for-profits (hospitals and community-based organizations) and local health departments to serve as Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) local agencies. Due July 14, 2022

The NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit applications from non-profit organizations for the provision of CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) outreach services to New York State child care and afterschool programs. Due July 15, 2022

The NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) is seeking applications for the development of Mobile Medications Units (MMU). The development of MMUs is made possible as a result of the release of the Final Rule on MMUs by the Drug Enforcement Authority (DEA) and is in response to the state’s need for increasing Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) services availability. Due July 19, 2022

The NYS Department of Economic Development has released the 2022 Consolidated Funding Application for Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) projects. For Round XII, Regional Councils will once again focus on the implementation of each region’s strategic plan, and continue to identify and invest in significant economic development projects. Round XII includes core capital and tax-credit funding that will be combined with a wide range of existing agency programs. The core funding includes $225 million in grants and tax credits, to fund high value regional priority projects, as well as additional funding from state agencies available to support community revitalization and business growth consistent with the existing REDC plans through the CFA process. Due July 29, 2022

The NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced the availability of funds for a Geriatric Technical Assistance Center (GTAC) to support and improve the service delivery of geriatric service demonstration programs through the “Partnership to Support Aging in Place in Communities Severely Impacted by COVID-19”. Due August 24, 2022

The NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced the availability of funds to support the implementation of HealthySteps (HS). HealthySteps is an evidence-based program that serves both young children (ages 0-5) and their families in a pediatric healthcare setting, which is non-stigmatizing and offers universal access. It is anticipated that OMH will make up to 57 awards across the state. This funding is specifically designed/designated for new sites, with the goal to expand the capacity of pediatric and family medicine practices to implement HealthySteps. Due August 24, 2022

The NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) and Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS), announced the availability of operational funds and state-aid for the development of 12 new Supportive Crisis Stabilization Centers (SCSCs) within the ten economic development regions of New York State. Due October 5, 2022

The NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is accepting applications for Child Care Stabilization Grants to provide financial relief to child care providers to help cover unexpected business costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, and to help stabilize their operations so they may continue to provide care. Due November 30, 2022

The NYS Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) is accepting 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 December 2, 2022

Upcoming

2022 Regents Meeting Dates

  • 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.