Plugged In To Education

October 16, 2024

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

What’s Inside

  • Attorney General James Sues TikTok for Harming Children’s Mental Health
  • Governor Hochul Announces More Than 40,000 Newly Eligible College Students Have Applied for Financial Aid
  • State Agriculture Commissioner Announces $10 Million Available Through Second Round of New York’s Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program
  • New York State Path Forward Team Releases Action Plan to Transform Literacy Instruction
  • DiNapoli: Nearly 1 in 3 Students Were Chronically Absent from School
  • Governor Signs Legislation to Expand Health Care Access and Support Maternal Health
  • Funding Opportunities
  • State Register
  • Coming Up

Attorney General James Sues TikTok for Harming Children’s Mental Health

New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Attorney General Rob Bonta co-led a bipartisan coalition of 14 attorneys general in filing lawsuits against the social media platform TikTok for misleading the public about the safety of its platform and harming young people’s mental health. The lawsuits, filed individually by each member of the coalition, allege that TikTok violated state laws by falsely claiming its platform is safe for young people.

Governor Hochul Announces More Than 40,000 Newly Eligible College Students Have Applied for Financial Aid

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that following the increase in income thresholds secured in the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget, more than 40,000 newly eligible New York State students have already submitted TAP applications for the 2024-25 academic year. “Broadening TAP’s reach allows us to attain a brighter future for more of our students — one where they can achieve their educational goals and be proud of their accomplishments,” Governor Hochul said. “With more than 40,000 TAP applications already received from newly eligible students, it is clear that increasing the TAP income thresholds was a much-needed step in making higher education more accessible and more affordable for all New Yorkers.”

State Agriculture Commissioner Announces $10 Million Available Through Second Round of New York’s Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced that $10 million is now available through Round 2 of New York’s Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program. The program will support projects in New York schools that improve meal preparation and distribution for Kindergarten through Grade 12 students. First announced in Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2023 State of the State, the program will provide $50 million over five years to eligible applicants to facilitate the on-site processing and preparation of fresh, nutritious meals, increase the use of more healthy, local New York food products, and provide a boost to New York farmers.

New York State Path Forward Team Releases Action Plan to Transform Literacy Instruction

Literacy Academy Collective (LAC) and State Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced the release of the New York State Action Plan: The Path Forward (the Action Plan), which seeks to transform the way educators are prepared to teach literacy. The Action Plan is the result of a coordinated effort by key institutional and educational leaders and a diverse set of stakeholders from across the state. Over the next two years, The Path Forward Steering Committee will continue to meet to support the completion of the Action Plan’s initiatives.

DiNapoli: Nearly 1 in 3 Students Were Chronically Absent from School

A new report by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli details how chronic absenteeism rates among New York public and charter school students increased sharply as schools transitioned back to in-person learning after the COVID-19 pandemic subsided and remained high with nearly one in three students chronically absent during the 2022-23 school year (SY). The rates were highest for high school students at 34.1%, 7.6 percentage points higher than elementary and middle school students.

Governor Signs Legislation to Expand Health Care Access and Support Maternal Health

Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation to expand coverage for women’s health during and after pregnancy:

  • Legislation S.201/A2656 permits pregnant women to enroll in health insurance policies at any time without penalty. The legislation prohibits commercial health maintenance organizations from charging fees for special enrollment due to pregnancy.
  • Legislation S.1965-A/A.3865-A requires commercial health insurers in New York State to cover prenatal vitamins when prescribed by a health care practitioner.
  • Legislation S.6674-A/A.7790-A expands insurance coverage requirements for human donor milk to outpatient settings.

Funding Opportunities

The NYS Department of Labor issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Work Readiness Training (WRT) to provide funding to eligible organizations to conduct work readiness training, the development of skills and behaviors necessary for any job, and the skills employers seek from their employees and job candidates. Work readiness skills are transferable skills that can help an individual adapt and perform in different work settings or careers. Due October 25, 2024

The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced the availability of funds to support the expanded implementation of HealthySteps. It is anticipated that OMH will make up to 50 awards across the state. HealthySteps is an evidence-based program that delivers dyadic services to both young children (0-3 years) and their families in a pediatric healthcare setting, which is non stigmatizing and offers universal access. Due November 5, 2024 

The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is seeking one vendor to manage a statewide Youth Advisory Board (YAB). The YAB is made up of young adults ages 18-26 with lived experience in New York State’s child welfare system, juvenile justice system, and/or who have experienced homelessness as a youth. YAB board members are compensated financially for their time. Due November 13, 2024

The Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the operation of an Apartment Treatment Program with capacity to serve 79 individuals housed in scattered site apartment units located in both New York and Bronx Counties. This program is currently operated by a not-for-profit agency and the successful applicant will be required to transition the existing residents and leases from the current provider. Due November 12, 2024 

The Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the operation of an Apartment Treatment Program with capacity to serve 11 individuals housed in scattered site apartment units located in Fulton County. This program is currently not in operation, the successful applicant will be required to develop all housing units in Fulton County. All housing units target adults with serious mental illness or who have a co-occurring substance use disorder. Due November 12, 2024

The Bureau of Refugee Services (BRS) of the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA, or collectively OTDA/BRS), issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit applications from eligible grant applicants to administer the Shelter Exit Services for Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Eligible Populations (SES) program. SES is a program focused on assisting ORR eligible households currently residing in the public shelter systems in New York State, to locate and retain permanent, affordable housing. Due November 18, 2024

The Department of Agriculture and Markets announced the Food Access Expansion Grant Program to provide capital infrastructure funding for projects that create and/or expand retail food stores, reduce food insecurity, increase market opportunities for New York State producers, and strengthen the resiliency of our state’s food system. Due November 22, 2024

The New York State Education Department announced competition for Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) grant contracts for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030, pending annual appropriations in the New York State Budget. Due November 26, 2024

The New York State Education Department announced competition for Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) grant contracts for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030, pending annual appropriations in the New York State Budget. Due December 10, 2024

The New York State Office of Mental Health is seeking proposals to contract with community-based, Peer-run organizations to implement a Forensic Intensive and Sustained Engagement Team (F-INSET) in one (1) New York State location with preference for regions expecting or recently implementing a Forensic ACT team. Due December 11, 2024

The Office of Cannabis Management announced a Request for Applications (RFA) for the Community Reinvestment Program to reinvest in communities disproportionately affected by past federal and state drug policies through monetary awards. The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) intends to issue grants to 501(c)(3) community-based organizations that serve the most affected areas of the State, focusing on those serving youth.  Due December 13, 2024

The Office of Mental Health (OMH) announces the availability of funds for the procurement of a contracted mental health learning collaborative program: Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) to take place over the course of five years. This Request for Proposals (RFP) is intended to support behavioral health providers in managing the safety of staff and patients with complex behavioral health needs through a cost-effective & efficient training collaborative that provides case conferencing and didactic lessons related to violence and other difficult behavioral symptoms. Due December 18, 2024

State Register

State Education Department

  • Supervisor Requirements for Wholesalers Transfilling Medical Oxygen (Emergency)

Office of Mental Health

  • Relating to the Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS) (Proposed)

Coming Up

The Assembly Standing Committee on Libraries and Education Technology will hold a public hearing on October 21, 2024 in Albany on improving and supporting New York State’s Libraries.

2024 Regents Meeting Dates

  • November 4 – 5 (Monday and Tuesday)
  • December 9 – 10 (Monday and Tuesday)

2025 Regents Meeting Dates

  • January 13 – 14
  • February 10 – 11
  • March 10 – 11
  • April 7 – 8
  • May 5 – 6
  • June 9 – 10
  • July 14 – 15
  • August – Recess
  • September 8 – 9
  • October 6 – 7
  • November 3 – 4
  • December 15 – 16

State Board Meetings

  • Dentistry: October 18, 2024 (Rochester)
  • Public Accountancy: October 23, 2024
  • Midwifery: November 1, 2024 (Albany)
  • Chiropractic: November 7, 2024 ( New York City)
  • Speech-Language Pathology: November 8, 2024 (Rochester, New York City)
  • Professional Engineering, Land Surveying and Geology: December 5, 2024
  • Medicine: December 6, 2024
  • Mental Health Practitioners: December 6, 2024
  • Social Work: December 11, 2024

OTDA Meetings

  • November 7, 2024, 1:00 p.m.: HEAP Block Grant Advisory Council (BGAC)
  • December 4, 2024, 1:30 p.m.: Homeless Housing and Assistance Corporation (HHAC)

Not-for-Profit Contracting Advisory Committee (NFPCAC)

The Not-for-Profit Contracting Advisory Committee (NFPCAC) was established by §179-aa of the New York State’s Prompt Contracting Law, enacted in 1991 as Article XI-B of the State Finance Law. The goal of the Committee is to report to the Governor and the Legislature with recommendations on improving the contracting procedures with not-for-profit organizations, which receive state funds.

  • Tuesday, November 19, 2024, 1 – 2:30pm via Zoom
  • Tuesday, December 17, 2024, 1 – 2:30pm via Zoom

New York State Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council (MISCC)

The Most Integrated Setting Coordinating Council (the MISCC), which was established by Chapter 551 of the Laws of 2002, is responsible for ensuring that New Yorkers of all ages with physical, intellectual, developmental, sensory, and mental health disabilities receive care and services in the most integrated settings appropriate to their individual needs.

  • December 11, 2024: 1:00 – 3:00pm

Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board

Created via Chapter 171 of the Laws of 2022 and pursuant to Mental Hygiene Law § 25.18, the Opioid Settlement Fund Advisory Board was established under the Office of Addiction Services and Supports to provide recommendations on how funding received by the Opioid Settlement Fund could be allocated.

  • October 28, 2024

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.