Plugged In To Education

August 4, 2023

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

What’s Inside

  • Governor Hochul Announces Funding to Address Pandemic Learning Loss and Support Mental Health Among Students
  • NYSERDA Releases Draft Guidelines to Advance Zero-Emission School Bus Environmental Bond Act Investments
  • New Deputy Secretary for Education Appointed
  • Applications Open for Child Care Workforce Grants
  • Graduation Measures Blue Ribbon Commission Holds Final Meeting
  • Medicaid Telehealth Coverage Extended Beyond COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
  • Bill Signed to Strengthen Hate Crime Reporting on College Campus
  • Pathways in Technology Early College High School Partnerships Announced
  • Governor Hochul Announces Funding to Support New York City’s Fight Against Gun Violence
  • Registration Open for Direct Support Microcredentials at SUNY
  • Policies & Directives
  • Funding Opportunities
  • State Register

Governor Hochul Announces Funding to Address Pandemic Learning Loss and Support Mental Health Among Students

Yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced $108 million is available for school districts and BOCES to support student well-being through expanding mental health supports. The new State matching fund, the $100 million Recover from COVID School Program, will provide funding to create or expand programs to help students address trauma caused by the pandemic, prioritizing school districts with the highest need. Additionally, a portion of the $100 million Recover from COVID School Program is available to address student learning loss exacerbated by the pandemic. Individual school districts or BOCES, a consortium of school districts or BOCES, or any combination of these entities may apply for the Mental Health Recover from COVID School Program (RECOVS) Grant and the Learning Loss RECOVS Grant. Funding will be awarded over two years ($50 million annually). Application submissions are due by August 18, 2023, at 5pm. More information and application details can be found here.

Additionally, the Governor announced $8.3 million is available for grants to create school-based mental health clinics. The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) issued a Request for Applications to provide up to $25,000 in start-up costs for OMH-licensed providers to create new school-based mental health clinic satellites and to support recently established school-based mental health clinic satellites. An additional $20,000 ($45,000 total) will be available for clinics being established in high-needs districts where more than 50 percent of the students are economically disadvantaged. Application submissions are due by October 5, 2023 at 1pm. More information and application details can be found here.

NYSERDA Releases Draft Guidelines to Advance Zero-Emission School Bus Environmental Bond Act Investments

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) released proposed eligibility guidelines for public comment for the Public School Bus Electrification Program being designed under the historic $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022. The draft criteria guiding at least $500 million for zero-emission school buses and infrastructure will assist municipalities applying for funding for projects that will reduce pollution and provide cleaner air for children and communities. This announcement supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85% by 2050 and New York State’s requirement that all school buses sold in New York State be zero emission by 2027 and all school buses on the road be zero emission by 2035.

New Deputy Secretary for Education Appointed

Governor Hochul announced the appointment of Maria Fernandez as the new Deputy Secretary for Education last month. Most recently, Maria served as an Advisory Consultant for Employment Practices Solutions and is an Adjunct Professor at Fordham Law School in their L.L.M. Compliance Program. Prior to that role, she was Vice President, Head of Ethics and Compliance for Direct Energy. Maria also worked at International Business Machines (IBM) for 20+ years in various legal and compliance leadership positions. Maria received her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Lehman College, City University of New York, and her Juris Doctor degree from Cornell Law School. She is admitted to the bars of the States of New York and California and also the United States Supreme Court.

Applications Open for Child Care Workforce Grants

Governor Kathy Hochul announced applications are open for funding to bolster New York’s child care workforce through the Workforce Retention Grant Program. Funding will support approximately 150,000 direct child care staff through financial incentives ranging from $2,300 to $3,000 in retention and referral bonuses for existing staff as well as sign-on bonuses for new staff. Eligible child care programs include school-age child care programs, day care centers, family day care homes, group family day care programs, small day care centers and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene-permitted Article 47 group centers. Staff eligible for retention and referral bonuses must be employed at the program’s physical location, have an active, direct child caring role, have worked a minimum number of hours per week from January 1, 2023, and June 26, 2023, and have a completed background check on or before June 26, 2023.

Graduation Measures Blue Ribbon Commission Holds Final Meeting

The Graduation Measures Blue Ribbon Commission, co-chaired by Vice Chancellor Josephine V. Finn and Regent Judith Chin, held its final meeting in Albany to develop recommendations for the Board of Regents on which measures best meet the needs of all students in New York. Under the direction of the co-chairs, a diverse cross-section of stakeholders, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, professionals from business and higher education, parents, and students, undertook an independent, thoughtful, and inclusive process to explore what a state diploma should signify to ensure educational excellence and equity for every student in New York State. Final recommendations will be submitted to the Board of Regents in Fall 2023.

Medicaid Telehealth Coverage Extended Beyond COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

The New York State Department of Health (DOH) announced that New York State Medicaid will continue to provide comprehensive coverage of telehealth through Dec. 31, 2024. Telehealth services – the use of electronic information and communication technologies to deliver health care to patients at a distance – expanded dramatically during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE), which ended last spring.

Bill Signed to Strengthen Hate Crime Reporting on College Campus

Governor Hochul signed S.2060A/A.3694-A by Senator Stavisky and Assemblyman Rosenthal which increase access to information related to certain crimes on college
campuses, including bias related and hate crimes. Specifically, the law requires colleges to post crime statistics on their website and implement a plan to provide investigations of hate crimes.

Pathways in Technology Early College High School Partnerships Announced

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $31.5 million in funding for the New York State Pathways in Technology program that will prepare thousands of New York students for high-skill jobs of the future in technology, manufacturing, health care, and finance. This investment funds regional partnerships that respond to the greatest need for enhanced access to post-secondary opportunities primarily for academically and economically at-risk students and works to strengthen the pipeline between local talent and industries with a favorable job outlook. Each partnership will include K-12, higher education, and business/employer partners.

Governor Hochul Announces Funding to Support New York City’s Fight Against Gun Violence

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $30 million to support New York City’s fight against gun violence. This funding includes $6 million for the New York City Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Blueprint for Community Safety, which will help the City hire additional public safety personnel and deploy more resources to support the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. The Governor also announced $24 million from the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget to support New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program, which will help it expand to a year-round program.

Registration Open for Direct Support Microcredentials at SUNY

State University of New York Chancellor John B. King, Jr. announced the start of the direct support microcredential program approved earlier this year to provide training that leads to national certification in the field of developmental disabilities. The program was developed in partnership with the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to recognize the distinct skills and competencies required of today’s direct support professionals.

Policies & Directives

Office of Children and Family Services

  • 23-OCFS-ADM-09 – New Mandated Reporter Training
  • 23-OCFS-ADM-10 – Maximum State Aid Rates for Foster Care Programs and In-State Committee on Special Education Placements
  • 23-OCFS-ADM-11 – Casework Contacts for Children in Foster Care
  • 23-OCFS-ADM-12 – Committee on Special Education Maintenance Rates for July 1, 2022, Through June 30, 2023, for Out-of-State Residential Schools Approved by the New York State Education Department
  • 23-OCFS-ADM-13 – 2023 Bridge – Flexible Fund for Family Services (FFFS)
  • 23-OCFS-INF-08 – Updated Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KinGAP) Guide
  • 23-OCFS-LCM-13 – Community Optional Preventive Services (COPS) Program FFY 2022-2023/SFY 2023-2024 Funding and Claiming Instructions
  • 23-OCFS-LCM-14 – Community Optional Preventive Services (COPS) Program $1,000,000 Set-Aside Funding and Claiming Instructions (FFY 2022-2023/SFY 2023-2024)
  • 23-OCFS-LCM-15 – Tuition Reimbursement for Children Who Have Educational Disabilities and Are Placed in Institutions

Funding Opportunities

The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced the availability of funds for an experienced program administrator/agency/community-based organization to implement Intensive and Sustained Engagement Teams (INSET) in four locations throughout New York State to better meet the needs of vulnerable community members. Due August 15, 2023

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) released a request for proposals (RFP) to solicit competitive applications for the Community Credible Messengers Initiative (CCMI). This initiative is aimed at improving the safety and well-being of children and families through the development of regionally located credible messengers (CMs) and parent partners (PPs) as part of a core group of services strategically connected to OCFS Community Multi-Services Offices (CMSOs). This procurement seeks to establish CCMI teams in the Buffalo, Rochester, Mid-Hudson, and Long Island regions. Due August 16, 2023

The New York State Office of Mental Health announced the availability of funds for the expansion of 10 Youth Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams in the Central, Hudson River and Western New York OMH regions. The Youth ACT team serve children/youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), who are returning home from inpatient settings or residential services, at risk of entering such settings, or have not adequately engaged or responded to treatment in more traditional community-based services. Due September 19, 2023

The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced the availability of funds for the development of three Young Adult Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams, two in NYC and one rest of state. Eligible applicants are not-for-profit agencies with 501(c) (3) incorporation that have experience providing mental health services to persons with serious mental illness through programs that are licensed by OMH. Due September 28, 2023

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is requesting proposals from non-profit organizations and public housing agencies to provide housing and related support services to low-income persons with AIDS or HIV-related illnesses and their families through the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) program. Due August 20, 2023

The Department of State issued a Request for Applications (RFA) for qualified not-for-profit organizations to hire or repurpose an Immigrant Resource Coordinator to lead community engagement efforts for targeted regions across New York State. The Immigrant Resource Coordinator will be responsible for supporting a network of immigrant volunteers to conduct community outreach and provide vital information to the immigrant population that is language accessible and culturally appropriate. Due August 23, 2023

The State Education Department released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Stronger Connections Grant Program to award subgrants to high-need LEAs to establish safer and healthier learning environments, and to prevent and respond to acts of bullying, violence, and hate that impact our school communities at individual and systemic levels. Due September 15, 2023

The New York State Office of Mental Health announced the availability of funds to support the expanded implementation of HealthySteps (HS). It is anticipated that OMH will make up to 70 awards across the state, contingent upon availability of funding. This funding is specifically designated for new sites, with the goal to expand the capacity of pediatric and family medicine practices to implement HealthySteps, prioritizing practices in counties with the highest percentage of children in poverty. Due October 3, 2023

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking applicants for the FreshConnect CSA for SNAP grant program to provide funding to eligible organizations to partially subsidize the cost of CSA shares to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants. New York producers are eligible to receive up to 50% of the cost of a weekly share purchased by a SNAP recipient with their SNAP benefits through an awarded third-party applicant. Due November 1, 2023

State Register

State Education Department

  • Removes Requirement That a Postdoctoral General Practice or Specialty Dental Residency Program Experience be Clinically Based (Emergency)
  • Requirements for Admission to the Examination for Licensure as an Engineer (Emergency)
  • Deadline to Apply and Qualify for the Provisional School Counselor Certificate (Emergency)
  • Education Requirements for Licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse and Licensed Practical Nurse (Emergency)
  • Academic Intervention Services (Emergency/Proposed)
  • Occupational Therapists’ Authority to Provide Treatment for a Limited Time Without a Referral (Emergency/Proposed)
  • School Counselor Education Program General Registration Requirements (Adopted)
  • Corporal Punishment, Restraint, and Seclusion (Adopted)
  • Requirements for Admission to the Examination for Licensure as an Engineer (Adopted)
  • Initial Reissuance, Provisional Renewal, and Time Extension Requirements (Adopted)

Office of Children and Family Services

  • Changes to Eligibility Criteria for the Child Care Assistance Program (Adopted)

Office for People with Developmental Disabilities

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

  • Temporary Assistance (TA) Resource Limits and New York Achieving a Better Life Experience (NY ABLE) Program Accounts (Proposed)

Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services

  • Requirements for the Establishment, Incorporation, and Certification of Providers of Addiction Services (Adopted)

Coming Up

The Board of Regents will meet:

  • August – Recess
  • September 11 – 12 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • October 16 – 17 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • November 13 – 14 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • December 11 – 12 (Monday and Tuesday)

Upcoming State Board Meetings

  • Peer Review Oversight Committee: August 9, 2023
  • Landscape Architecture: August 16, 2023 (New York City)
  • Clinical Laboratory Technology: September 1, 2023 (Albany)
  • Professional Engineering, Land Surveying and Geology: September 7, 2023 (Albany)
  • Occupational Therapy: September 8, 2023 (Albany & New York City)
  • Medicine: September 8, 2023 (New York City)
  • Optometry: September 11, 2023 (New York City)
  • Dentistry: September 15, 2023 (Hostos Community College, Bronx)
  • Nursing: September 21, 2023 (New York City, Rochester, Albany)
  • Midwifery: September 21, 2023 (Albany)

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.