Plugged In To Education

August 21, 2023

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

What’s Inside

  • Officials Discuss Supports for School Districts Regarding Influx of Asylum Seekers
  • Federal Government Releases Q&A on Affirmative Action Decision
  • Attorney General James and NYSED Issue Guidance to Promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Report Released on Biometric Identifying Technology in Schools OCFS Announces Innovative Direct Cash Transfer Research Pilot Program
  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Toolkit Launched
  • Policies & Directives
  • Funding Opportunities
  • State Register
  • Coming Up

Officials Discuss Supports for School Districts Regarding Influx of Asylum Seekers

Earlier this month, State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa and Department staff met with leaders from Governor Kathy Hochul’s Office and the New York City Department of Education to discuss supports for schools and school districts statewide related to the arrival of large numbers of asylum seeker and migrant students. According to the press release, the department is focusing efforts on utilizing Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) and district leaders to assist in the relocation process, so these families are placed in school communities with access to resources, including wraparound services for English Language Learners (ELLs) and their families.

Federal Government Releases Q&A on Affirmative Action Decision

The U.S. Department of Education and Department of Justice released a Dear Colleague Letter and Q&A Document regarding the recent Supreme Court decision on affirmative action. According the to the letter, the Departments provided the Questions and Answers to help colleges and universities understand the Supreme Court’s decision as they continue to pursue campuses that are racially diverse and that include students with a range of viewpoints, talents, backgrounds, and experiences.

Attorney General James and NYSED Issue Guidance to Promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York State Education Department (NYSED) Commissioner Betty A. Rosa issued guidance reminding New York public schools and local education agencies of their obligation to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in educational planning and decision-making. As states and school districts across the country adopt exclusionary educational policies that deny students from diverse backgrounds and identities access to a safe and affirming learning environment, Attorney General James and Commissioner Rosa are providing resources to school leaders that assist in fulfilling their commitment to ensuring every student in New York has the opportunity to learn free from the fear of discrimination, harassment, or intimidation.

Report Released on Biometric Identifying Technology in Schools

The Office of Information Technology Services, with assistance from the New York State Education Department, has completed and posted the biometrics report required by State Technology Law Section 106-b. The report considers the potential use of biometric identifying technology, including facial recognition, in public and nonpublic schools. The State Education Commissioner will consider the report and its recommendations in determining whether to authorize the purchase or utilization of biometric identifying technology in public schools. According to the press release, a determination will be rendered in the next few weeks.

OCFS Announces Innovative Direct Cash Transfer Research Pilot Program

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) held a celebratory launch in Westchester County for its innovative Direct Cash Transfer (DCT) Research Pilot program, which will track and gauge the impact of a universal cash stipend on families’ future contact with the child welfare system since data show that many families are reported for poverty-related neglect. It is the first DCT pilot in the country with this focus, and participating families have begun receiving payments. OCFS is collaborating on the pilot with the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), the Center for Guaranteed Income Research (CGIR) at the University of Pennsylvania, the Redlich Horowitz Foundation and Youth Research Incorporated (YRI) and will hold a second launch event in Monroe County on Aug. 9. Participating families reside in Westchester, Monroe and Onondaga counties.

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Toolkit Launched

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the rollout of New York State’s 988 Community Education and Awareness Toolkit, an interactive resource tool designed to support individuals facing suicide-risk. 988 is the three-digit number available in many areas nationally that will connect the caller to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. New York’s 988 toolkit, developed by the New York State Office of Mental Health includes marketing and educational resources to help educate the public.

Policies & Directives

Office of Children & Family Services

Funding Opportunities

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 announced individual school districts, BOCES, a consortium of school districts, a consortium of BOCES, or any combination of these entities may apply for either or both Mental Health RECOVS Grant and Learning Loss RECOVS Grant to support schools in addressing student well-being through expanding mental health supports in schools and/or addressing learning loss exacerbated by the pandemic. Due September 1, 2023

The State Education Department released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Stronger Connections Grant Program (SCG) to competitively 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 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 NYS Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) is seeking bids to identify an academic institution with which OASAS will partner to expand and enhance the monitoring and evaluation of the substance use and addiction service and treatment programs and initiatives supported by Opioid Settlement Funds (OSF). The academic institution with which OASAS seeks to partner should have extensive experience and expertise in monitoring and evaluating research initiatives that examine healthcare delivery systems and services for substance use and use disorder, and other addictive disorders. Due September 25, 2023

The NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development and operation of 10 Housing First Supportive Housing programs serving individuals currently experiencing homelessness, in Nassau/Suffolk, Westchester, Albany/Schenectady/Saratoga, Ulster/Sullivan, Onondaga/Oswego, Broome/Chenango/Otsego, Cortland/Thompkins/Tioga, Erie, Monroe, Steuben/Chemung. Due September 27, 2023

The NYS 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 Department of Health (Department) announces the availability of funding to implement the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). CSFP works to improve the health of low-income residents 60 years of age and older by supplementing their diets with nutritious foods provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Due September 28, 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 NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) is providing one-time start-up funding of up to $45,000 to support a recently implemented or newly created Mental Health Outpatient Treatment and Rehabilitative Services (MHOTRS)/clinic school-based satellite to OMH licensed providers to expand school-based mental health services. Due October 5, 2023

The State Education Department announced applications for the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) to provide a broad range of services to New York State residents who, because of educational and economic circumstances, would otherwise be unable to attend a postsecondary educational institution. Non-public institutions of higher education (IHEs) -including for-profit IHEs- incorporated by the Legislature or chartered by the Board of Regents and offering two- or four-year degree programs registered with and approved by the Board of Regents may submit proposals for program support. Due October 20, 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

N/A

Office of Children and Family Services

  • Updates to Foster Care Rates (Adopted)
  • Rights of Unmarried Fathers Regarding Adoption of Children in Foster Care (Proposed)

Office for People with Developmental Disabilities

N/A

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

N/A

Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services

N/A

Coming Up

Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council Upcoming Meetings

  • October 5, 2023
  • November 9, 2023
  • December 6, 2023

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.