Plugged In To Education

January 12, 2023

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

What’s Inside

  • Governor Delivers State of the State Address
  • Governor Hochul Announces Groundbreaking Medicaid 1115 Waiver Amendment to Enhance New York State’s Health Care System
  • SUNY Releases Report on Long-Term Enrollment and Financial Sustainability
  • OPWDD Relesaes 2023 Strategic Plan Annual Report
  • Funding Opportunities
  • State Register
  • Coming Up

Governor Delivers State of the State Address

On Tuesday, Governor Kathy Hochul delivered the 2024 State of the State Address and released her “Our New York, Our Future” agenda. Initiatives announced include, but are not limited to:

Mental Health

  • Providing resources to schools so that every school that wants one can open a school-based mental health clinic
  • Establishing new Youth Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Teams statewide
  • Expanding loan repayment programs for children’s mental health practitioners
  • Pushing for the passage of legislation that would hold social media companies accountable

Housing

  • A four-part proposal to help New York City increase its housing supply by incentivizing construction of new housing, including affordable housing; encouraging affordable in office conversion projects; allowing New York City to add residential density on certain projects; and legalizing basement and cellar apartments
  • Create a $500 million capital fund to support the development of up to 15,000 units of housing on state-owned land
  • Strengthen the Pro-Housing Communities program by making the certification a requirement for accessing $650 million in state discretionary funding
  • Take action to combat housing discrimination against Section 8 voucher recipients and affordable housing providers

Education

  • Offering direct admission to high achieving students from the top 10 percent of New York high school classes to SUNY and CUNY campuses
  • New legislation requiring school districts to ensure every high school senior completes the FAFSA
  • Ensuring eligible students take advantage of SNAP benefits to address food insecurity among college students
  • Boosting college student voter participation by having SUNY and CUNY provide information about voter registration in various campus information packets

Reading

  • A “Back to Basics” reading plan to take statewide action to ensure that every school district utilizes instructional best practices grounded in the evidence-based Science of Reading approach.
  • A $10 million investment to train 20,000 teachers in “Science of Reading” instruction
  • A SUNY and CUNY Microcredential Program for teachers to ensure the next generation of educators utilizes evidence-based best practices
  • Boosting college student voter participation by having SUNY and CUNY provide information about voter registration in various campus information packets

Children & Families

  • New $7 billion Medicaid initiative secured from the Biden Administration
  • Six-point maternal and infant health agenda
  • Increase access to high-quality child care and provide new grants and incentives to providers
  • Working with the federal government to provide continuous Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funding for eligible children up to age six
  • Securing $200 million in federal funding for nutrition assistance from the USDA’s Summer EBT program
  • $50 million anti-poverty pilot program targeting cities in Upstate New York with high poverty rates

Health

  • Expanding affordable health care options through NY State of Health and better access to primary care
  • Continuing aggressive efforts to combat the opioid crisis and support individuals struggling with addiction
  • Supporting providers by launching the Health Care Safety Net Transformation Program and strengthening cybersecurity
  • Improving access to mental health and addiction services by expanding out-of-network coverage when timely appointments are not available for in-network coverage

Governor Hochul Announces Groundbreaking Medicaid 1115 Waiver Amendment to Enhance New York State’s Health Care System

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved a groundbreaking amendment to New York’s Medicaid Section 1115 Demonstration that will be catalytic in New York’s continuing efforts to build a health care system that benefits all New Yorkers. The demonstration bundles a comprehensive series of actions to advance health equity, reduce health disparities, and strengthen access to primary and behavioral health care across the state, and will be supported through $7.5 billion in funding over the next three years. CMS’ approval allows New York to make large investments across a series of wide-ranging Medicaid initiatives, including establishing Social Care Networks to integrate health, behavioral, and social care services that connect high-need members to critical nutritional and housing support services; enhancing access to coordinated and comprehensive treatment for substance use disorders; investing in primary care and making long-term, sustainable investments in the state’s health care workforce.

SUNY Releases Report on Long-Term Enrollment and Financial Sustainability

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $20.3 million to support SNUG Street Outreach programs in 14 communities across New York State. These grant awards to 16 different community-based organizations and hospitals fund outreach workers, hospital responders, social workers and case managers who are credible messengers and work to reduce shootings and save lives. New York State’s SNUG program uses a public health approach to address gun violence by identifying the source, interrupting transmission, and treating individuals, families and communities affected by the violence.

OPWDD Releases 2023 Strategic Plan Annual Report

OPWDD released the 2023 Strategic Plan Annual Report. Commissioner Kerri Neifeld states “This report outlines progress we have made as an agency and community over the past year in meeting the goals and objectives outlined in the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan. In an effort to improve transparency, we share key information related to outcomes, plans for evaluation, and how we intend to build greater sustainability into our system. Throughout the report, we highlight the efforts undertaken to address the priority areas many of you have shared with us in surveys, forums, and meetings. The prioritization of issues related to workforce, housing, employment, and crisis management is a direct response to stakeholder concerns.”

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 Department of Labor (NYSDOL) is making up to $2 million in State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula (SAEF) funding available under the Direct Entry Pre-Apprenticeship Programs (DEPA) Request for Applications (RFA). The purpose of the RFA is to: provide funding for DEPA programs to support approximately 300 participants; and support entry into NYS Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs for underrepresented populations including women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. Applications will be received on a rolling basis.

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

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 31, 2024

The NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) announces the availability of capital funds for the expansion of child, adolescent, and adult inpatient psychiatric units, including specialty psychiatric units for the treatment of individuals dually diagnosed with mental health disorders and developmental disabilities across New York State. Due February 5, 2024

The NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) has released this targeted request for proposals (RFP) to solicit competitive applications to fund one (1) post-adoption program for families who meet Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility requirements and are residing within any of the five (5) boroughs of New York City (NYC). Due February 5, 2024

The NYS Office of Mental Health (OMH) announces the availability of funds for the development of one (1) Older Adult Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team: one (1) size 48 capacity team in the Bronx. The ACT team will serve older adults who have Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and have not been successfully engaged by the traditional mental health treatment and rehabilitation system in NYS. Due February 6, 2024

The New York State (NYS) Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) announces the release of this Invitation for Bids (IFB) to perform a grant compliance review of childcare providers’ expenditures for funds they received from the Child Care Stabilization Grants. OCFS is required to monitor how providers used their grant awards and has determined contracting with a third party is the best course of action due to the time and resources needed to perform these reviews. Approximately 750 providers will be receiving a grant compliance review. The purpose of performing these reviews is to monitor providers’ use of the Stabilization 1.0 funds. Due February 9, 2024

The NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) announces the release of this request for proposals (RFP), which provides funding from the New York State William B. Hoyt Memorial Children and Family Trust Fund (Trust Fund). This initiative is designed to support community-based family resource and family strengthening programs with the goal of preventing abuse/maltreatment and/or preventing the recurrence of abuse/maltreatment; and improving outcomes for families at risk of or experiencing child abuse and other forms of family violence. Due February 12, 2024

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets announced the availability of a second round of funding for the New Fork Food for New York Families Competitive Grant Program to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency in New York State. This funding is provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA.) The goal of this program is to purchase food grown and produced in New York State and deliver it to food insecure communities. Additionally, this program focuses on creating new markets and purchasing from underserved producers. Due February 15, 2024

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) has released this Request For Proposals (RFP) to solicit competitive proposals for a vendor to develop two websites that will each have an online application: one website to support the Chafee Funds Program – Beyond Foster Care (CFP-B) and another website to support the Education Training Voucher (ETV) program. CFP-B and ETV are federally funded and, generally, disseminate limited financial assistance to youth ages 18-23 (CFP-B) and ages 17-23 (ETV) who are aging out of foster care or formerly in foster care. Due February 21, 2024

The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) has released details for the next round of Higher Education Capital (HECap) matching grant program to provide matching capital grants to finance capital projects and equipment purchases by independent institutions of higher learning in NYS. Due March 22, 2024

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) announce the availability of funds under the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program IV (SHCFTP IV) to provide grants in support of capital projects and debt retirement and restructuring, working capital or other non-capital projects directly related to a capital project that facilitate furthering transformational goals, including, but not limited to, transforming, redesigning, and strengthening quality health care services in alignment with statewide and regional health care needs and in the ongoing pandemic response, or other activities intended to build innovative, patient-centered models of care, to increase access to care, to improve the quality of care and to ensure financial sustainability of health care providers. Grants shall not be made to support general, day-to-day operating costs. Due March 26, 2024

State Register

State Education Department

  • Requirements for Restricted Licenses for Clinical Laboratory Technologists in Molecular Testing (Emergency)
  • Timeline for Initial Enrollment or Reentry Identification and Parent Notification, Orientation and
  • Placement of English Language Learners (Emergency)
  • Rebuilding the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Accountability System Using 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 School Year Results (Emergency)
  • Supplementary Certificate and Supplementary Bilingual Education Extension Requirements (Emergency)
  • Certification as a School Counselor Through Individual Evaluation (Emergency)
  • Contracts for Excellence and Class Size Reduction in the City School District of the City of New York (Emergency)
  • Execution by RNs of Non-patient Orders to Provide Certain Emergency Medical Services  and Administer Pregnancy Tests (Emergency and Proposed)
  • Written Informational Material for the Authorized Use of Epinephrine Auto-Injectors (Emergency and Proposed)
  • Licensure of Licensed Behavior Analysts and Certification of Behavior Analyst Assistants (Adopted)
  • School Food Service Programs and Bidding Exemptions for Purchasing New York State Food and Milk (Adopted)
  • Examination for a High School Equivalency Diploma (Proposed)
  • The Profession of Physical Therapy Assistant (Proposed)
  • Virtual and Blended Instruction (Proposed)
  • Delegation of the Board of Regents Authority Regarding Charter Revisions (Proposed)

Children and Family Services, Office of

  • Expansion of Eligibility for Child Care Assistance Program (Emergency)

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

  • Interviews, Screenings and Assessments for Determining Eligibility for Public Assistance (PA) by Telephone or Other Digital Means at PA Applicant’s or Recipient’s Request (Adopted)

Aging, Office for the

Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Office of

  • Credentialing of Addiction Professionals (Emergency)

Higher Education Services Corporation

  • Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Awards for Students Enrolled in Approved Nondegree Workforce Credential Programs (Emergency and Proposed)

State University of New York

  • Appointment of Employees and Leave of Absence of Employees in the Professional Service (Emergency)

Coming Up

2024 Regents Meeting Dates

  • 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)

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.