Plugged In To Education

November 20, 2023

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

What’s Inside

  • Jeffrey Matteson Appointed State Education Department Senior Deputy Commissioner for Education Policy
  • Diwali Becomes a School Holiday in NYC
  • Governor Hochul Announces Increased Enrollment Across SUNY Campuses
  • Funding Announced to Expand Loan Repayment Program for Mental Health Workers
  • Public Hearings on Mayoral Control of New York City Schools
  • NYS Launches Enhanced Database of Economic Incentives
  • SED Posts Information on Simulation Experience and Clinical Education in Nursing Education Programs
  • Governor Hochul Takes on Infant and Maternal Mortality Crisis
  • CEP Election Deadline Extended
  • Funding Opportunities
  • State Register
  • Coming Up

Jeffrey Matteson Appointed State Education Department Senior Deputy Commissioner for Education Policy

The State Board of Regents announced the appointment of Dr. Jeffrey A. Matteson to Senior Deputy Commissioner for Education Policy. In this role, Dr. Matteson will oversee the Office of P-12 Education and the Office of Higher Education. Dr. Matteson’s career spans 35 years as an educator, beginning as a social studies teacher and assuming roles as a principal, superintendent, and most recently as District Superintendent of the Tompkins-Seneca-Tioga Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES).

Diwali Becomes a School Holiday in NYC

Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that makes Diwali a school holiday for New York City public schools. Legislation S.7574/A.7769 requires that all public schools in New York City be closed for instruction on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the Indian calendar in each year, which is known as Diwali.

Governor Hochul Announces Increased Enrollment Across SUNY Campuses

Governor Kathy Hochul announced increased enrollment across the State University of New York campuses. For the first time in a decade, year-to-year total system-wide student enrollment increased, up 1.1 percent overall from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023 for a total of 367,542 students. Undergraduate first-time enrollment was up across all sectors at 4.3 percent. The technology sector showed the strongest increase at 13.3 percent, followed by community colleges at 3.9 percent.

Funding Announced to Expand Loan Repayment Program for Mental Health Workers

Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $5 million expansion of the Community Mental Health Loan Repayment Program to extend eligibility to licensed mental health professionals. Administered by the state Office of Mental Health, the program now has $14 million dedicated to recruiting and retaining skilled mental health professionals at a time when demand for these workers is high and projected to increase. The Community Mental Health Loan Repayment Program provides up to $120,000 for psychiatrists and $30,000 for other mental health professionals to repay qualified education loans and student debt, provided they remain employed by licensed community mental health programs for three years.

Public Hearings on Mayoral Control of New York City Schools

The New York State Education Department announced dates and locations of a series of five public hearings as part of the State’s comprehensive review of the overall effectiveness of mayoral control of New York City schools. Members of the public may participate by providing oral testimony at one of five public hearings, and/or by submitting written electronic testimony.

  • Bronx, December 5
  • Queens, December 18
  • Brooklyn, January 11
  • Manhattan, January 18
  • Staten Island, January 29

NYS Launches Enhanced Database of Economic Incentives

Governor Kathy Hochul launched the enhanced Database of Economic Incentives. First launched in 2021, the Database of Economic Incentives provides detailed, up-to-date data on economic development projects throughout New York State. The data is updated quarterly, published online and complements the information available on ESD’s reports page. New York State’s Database of Economic Incentives is nation-leading in terms of number of programs and projects included, frequency of updates, and the number of data fields provided for each project. The updated database is available here.

SED Posts Information on Simulation Experience and Clinical Education in Nursing Education Programs

On October 17, 2023, the New York State Board of Regents adopted by emergency action, regulations that establish a definition and core requirements for clinical education across all licensure-qualifying nursing education programs and provide for an expedited process for institutions seeking a curriculum change to implement one-third of their existing clinical education hours through simulation experience. This webpage provides information and resources to assist institutions in meeting the requirements and in applying for a curriculum change to implement up to one-third of a programs existing clinical education hours through simulation experience.

Governor Hochul Takes on Infant and Maternal Mortality Crisis

Governor Kathy Hochul announced New York’s latest effort to combat the maternal and infant mortality rates, as infant mortality rose nationwide for the first time in decades. Governor Hochul signed S.1867A/A.5435A which directs the New York State Department of Health to create and maintain a New York directory of doulas – birthing experts who provide physical, emotional and informational support before, during, and after the child-birthing experience. Governor Hochul also announced that doula services will be covered for all Medicaid enrollees starting on January 1, 2024.

CEP Election Deadline Extended

More New York schools will be able to provide free meals to all students at no cost. With USDA’s new lowered eligibility threshold for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) combined with NY’s CEP State Subsidy, around 700 more schools will be eligible. The deadline to apply is December 15.

Funding Opportunities

The Dormitory Authority of NYS announced the Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program to make targeted investments throughout the State in capital construction projects that will improve or maintain the quality, efficiency, accessibility of such nonprofit human services organizations that serve New Yorkers. NICIP is offered through a rolling application period on a first come, first served basis.

The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) is seeking letters of interest to provide one-time funding to an agency or other provider who can demonstrate the capacity to offer Trauma Responsive Afterschool Programming For Latina Girls 12-17 Years Old with trauma histories and suicide risk. The goal of this funding is to further expand capacity of trauma-informed after school programming for Latina youth. It is anticipated that OMH will make one award totaling $1,100,000. This award will provide funding for one program located in the Borough of Manhattan, NY ($500,000) and one program in Montgomery County, NY ($600,000) to ensure that Latina girls have a safe place to engage in positive activities, build community, and receive academic support. Due November 30, 2023

The NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets announced the Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program to provide funding a competitive process to support the development and expansion of community gardens, school gardens, and urban farms across the state. Due December 1, 2023

The NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) released a request for proposals (RFP) to solicit applications from qualified applicants to increase the state’s capacity to support and strengthen families and to promote the permanency and well-being of children through Permanency Resource Centers. Programs should be designed to meet the unique needs of post-adoptive, post-guardianship, and kinship families with a goal to maintain and support children residing in permanent households. Due December 4, 2023

The NYS State Education Department released a request for proposals for the New York State Smart Scholars Early College High School (SS-ECHS) Program to create partnerships between public school districts, BOCES, and eligible institutions of higher education (IHEs). Due December 5, 2023

The NYS Office of Children and Family Services on behalf of the Commission on National and Community Service seeks applicants for 2024-2025 AmeriCorps Competitive grant funding. The Commission is a governor-appointed commission with a diverse, non-partisan body of, among others, representatives of business, labor, education, government, human service agencies and community-based organizations. Due December 5, 2023

The NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute (NYSDOH AI), Division of HIV/STD/HCV Prevention, Office of Population Health and Prevention Programs, announces the availability of $7,294,000 annually in New York State (NYS) funds to address social determinants of health (SDOH) and health disparities by funding programs that promote HIV/STI/Hepatitis C (HCV) prevention and sexual health and wellness services for communities of color through the implementation of sexual health, health equity, and SDOH frameworks. Due December 7, 2023

In Partnership with the NYS Office of Children and Family Services, Youth Research Inc.’s Center for Excellence for Evidence-Based Practices (CfE) is seeking applications from preventive agencies who are interested in providing Brief Strategic Family Therapy (BSFT) services. Eligible agencies include preventive service providers with experience delivering family-focused services in partnership with Local Department of Social Services (LDSS). Due December 11, 2023

The NYS Office of Indigent Legal Services announced the availability of funds and is soliciting proposals from New York State counties outside of New York City to establish a model Family Representation Office (“Model Office”) to provide legal representation to parents in child protective proceedings under New York Family Court Act Article 10 and termination of parental rights proceedings (“state intervention cases”). The intent of this Request for Proposals (“RFP”) is to improve the quality of legal services provided to parents in Family Court matters under County Law Article 18-B by establishing a Model Office that will implement standards and best practices in state intervention cases as established in ILS’ Standards for Parental Representation in State Intervention Matters. Due December 22, 2023

The NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced the availability of funds for Connecting Youth to Mental Health Supports for non-profit agencies and tribal organizations serving at-risk youth and/or young adults from historically underserved, racial and ethnic minoritized populations, and/or LGBQIA+ groups, including those in rural areas. Due January 4, 2024

The NYS Department of Health AIDS Institute (NYSDOH AI), Division of HIV, STD, HCV Prevention, Office of LGBTQ Services announces the availability of $12,000,000 annually in New York State (NYS) funds to provide services to address key social determinants of health impacting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, (LGBTQI+) Individuals, Families, and Communities. Due January 4, 2024

The NYS Department of Health, Bureau of Child Health, announces the availability of $1,000,000 annually in funds to support a Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Program Center of Excellence (COE). The CYSHCN COE will promote a standard of excellence for the implementation of local CYSHCN programs, administered through local health departments (LHDs) state-wide through the provision of training, technical assistance, and family engagement. Due January 5, 2024

The NYS State Education Department released the 2023-2024 Statewide Universal Full-Day Prekindergarten (SUFDPK) Expansion Grant for New York State school districts to further increase the availability of directly and collaboratively implemented prekindergarten programming. All public school districts are eligible to apply. However, preference for the 2023-2024 awards will be awarded as bonus points to districts who serve a high level of economically disadvantaged students. Due January 19, 2024

The NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets invites eligible entities to apply for funding through the NYS Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program to encourage the use of fresh New York State farm products in meal preparation for K-12 school children, reduce food insecurity, increase market opportunities for New York State producers, and strengthen the resiliency of our state’s food system. Due January 24, 2024

State Register

Office of Children and Family Services

  • Rights of Unmarried Fathers Regarding Adoption of Children in Foster Care (Adopted)

State Education Department

  • Academic Intervention Services (Emergency)
  • Occupational Therapists’ Authority to Provide Treatment for a Limited Time Without a Referral (Emergency)
  • Requirements for Clinical Education and Simulation Experience in Nursing Education Program (Emergency & Proposed)
  • Optometrist’s Certification to Use Topical and Oral Therapeutic Drugs for Certain Ocular Diseases (Emergency & Proposed)
  • Non-Patient Specific Orders to Administer Immunizing Agents Against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) (Emergency & Proposed)
  • Temporary Practice by Certain U.S. Servicemembers and Servicemembers’ Spouses Licensed or Certified in Another State (Adopted)
  • Requiring Concussion Management Protocols in Nonpublic Schools (Adopted)
  • Universal Prekindergarten Program (UPK) Staffing Qualifications (Adopted)
  • Requirements for the Endorsement of a Certificate As a School Counselor (Adopted)
  • Use of the Term University (Proposed)

Office for People with Developmental Disabilities

State University of New York

  • Operating Chargebacks for Nonresident Students (Adopted)

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

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

Coming Up

2024 Regents Meeting Dates

  • January 8 – 9 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • February 12 – 13 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • March 11 – 12 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • April 15 – 16 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • May 6 – 7 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • June 10 – 11 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • July 15 – 16 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • 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)

The Assembly Standing Committee on Higher Education and the Assembly Subcommittee on Tuition Assistance Program will hold a public hearing on November 28, 2023 in Albany to examine the status of the New York State Tuition Assistance Program.

Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council meetings:

  • November 20, 2023
  • December 6, 2023

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.