Plugged In To Education

November 15, 2024

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

What’s Inside

  • HESC Announces the Release of 2023-2024 Annual Report
  • DiNapoli: State Needs to Improve Oversight of Child Care Grants
  • State Education Department Announces “NY Inspires: A Plan To Transform Education In New York State”
  • Governor Hochul Announces Boost in Student Enrollment at State University of New York for Second Consecutive Year
  • Home Heating and Energy Efficiency Assistance Application Opened
  • Funding Opportunities
  • State Register
  • Coming Up

HESC Announces the Release of 2023-2024 Annual Report

The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) announced the release of its 2023-24 Annual Report, underscoring New York’s continued commitment to make higher education accessible and affordable for students and families statewide. The report highlights major accomplishments, partnerships, and expanded resources that have bolstered financial aid and services, ensuring that New Yorkers have the support they need to achieve their higher education goals.

Key highlights from the 2023-24 Annual Report include:

  • TAP has awarded over $30 billion to more than 6 million New York students, including nearly $698 million in aid to 255,000 students in the 2023-24 academic year alone.
  • In the 2023-24 academic year, HESC awarded nearly $170 million through 18 targeted scholarship and award programs, including veterans and high-achieving students.

DiNapoli: State Needs to Improve Oversight of Child Care Grants

According to an audit released by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) failed to adequately oversee the use of child care stabilization grant funds received during the COVID-19 pandemic. DiNapoli’s audit recommends OCFS develop and implement enhanced controls and monitoring practices for the child care grant programs it administers, including reviewing supporting documentation for grant expenditures.

State Education Department Announces “NY Inspires: A Plan To Transform Education In New York State”

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) presented its robust timeline and implementation plan aimed at transforming education in New York, aligning with the recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures, Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced. This initiative, designed to promote greater equity within the education system, is informed by extensive stakeholder engagement, including parents, educators, administrators, school support staff, representatives of higher education, and the business community.

Governor Hochul Announces Boost in Student Enrollment at State University of New York for Second Consecutive Year

Governor Kathy Hochul announced overall enrollment gains for the second year in a row across the State University of New York colleges and universities, including increases in first-year undergraduate enrollment. The results follow the state’s ongoing historic investments in SUNY’s ambitious agenda and mark the first time in 15 years that all SUNY sectors have seen back-to-back increases in overall enrollment. Fall 2024 enrollment systemwide was up 2.3 percent, compared with Fall 2023, for a total of 376,155 students across the system. Last year, enrollment was up 1.1 percent, year over year, the first increase in a decade.

Home Heating and Energy Efficiency Assistance Application Opened

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that funding is available to help low- and middle-income households and older adults lower their energy costs and keep their homes warm during cold winter months. Applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, which can provide up to $996 to eligible households, are currently open to New Yorkers. More than 1.7 million HEAP benefits were issued last winter, putting more than $397 million dollars back in the pockets of families across the state.

Funding Opportunities

The Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking applications for the $10 million Food Access Expansion Grant Program. The program aims to help increase food access for New Yorkers living in areas without grocery stores and options for healthy, affordable food. The program will provide infrastructure funding to support the development and expansion of supermarkets, food cooperatives, permanent farm stands, and other retail food stores in underserved regions of the State while also increasing markets for New York farmers. Due November 22, 2024

The Department of Agriculture and Markets invites eligible entities to apply for funding through the second round of the NYS Regional School Food Infrastructure Grant Program. Funding from the program will go toward projects that 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 December 5, 2024

The Department of Agriculture and Markets invites eligible applicants to apply for funding through the SNAP-Ed Community Growers Grant Program. Community-led growing spaces are collaborative projects on shared open space that produce healthy and affordable fresh fruits and vegetables for local community consumption. This funding aims to support garden-based nutrition education and food production in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligible communities to increase the production and consumption of healthy and fresh food. Due December 6, 2024

The Department of Agriculture and Markets invites eligible applicants to apply for funding through the SNAP-Ed Food Box Grant Program. This funding aims to make local produce more available and accessible to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligible communities while sourcing local produce and providing nutrition education. Due December 6, 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 New York State Office of Children and Family Services on behalf of the Commission on National and Community Service seeks applicants for 2025-2026 AmeriCorps Competitive grant funding. The Commission is a governor-appointed body with a diverse, non-partisan membership of, among others, representatives of business, labor, education, government, human service agencies and community-based organizations. Due December 16, 2024

The Department of Health announced the availability of funds to support the Healthcare Education and Life-Skills Program. The purpose of this funding is to increase the number of students, or trainees, pursuing careers in healthcare by offering wrap around services and support. Due December 20, 2024

The NYS Office of Mental Health announced the availability of funds for the procurement of Youth and Family Peer Advocate Workforce Expansion grants. Through these grants, not-for-profit community-based organizations that are either OMH funded agencies or OMH licensed or designated mental health agencies who offer family and/or youth peer support services will work within a region of the State to establish collaborative partnerships with non-mental health community agencies and organizations (such as social and membership clubs, places of worship, community service agencies, etc.), with demonstrated experience serving diverse, disenfranchised and/or marginalized communities. Due January 14, 2024

The NYS Department of Labor (NYSDOL) is making $1M available in furtherance of the Lorena Borjas Transgender and Non-Binary Wellness and Equity Fund (TWEF) to support organizations that demonstrate the capacity to increase access to employment for transgender, gender non-conforming, and non-binary individuals (TGNCNB); promote employment equity for TGNCNB individuals through full and equal access to training services; and eliminate bias and discrimination based on gender identity and expression in the workplace. Due January 17, 2024

State Register

Office for People with Developmental Disabilities

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

  • Good Cause Adjournment of Fair Hearings Concerning the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (Proposed)
  • Update to State Regulations to Include the Term “Administrative Law Judge” in the Definition of “Hearing Officer” so it is Clear that the Terms may be used Interchangeably (Proposed)

Coming Up

2024 Regents Meeting Dates

  • 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

  • Professional Engineering, Land Surveying and Geology: December 5, 2024
  • Medicine: December 6, 2024

Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council (CPRAC)

The New York State Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council (CPRAC), established by Governor Hochul under the Child Poverty Reduction Act, is responsible for analyzing child poverty in New York, making policy recommendations to reduce child poverty by 50 percent over ten years, and measuring and reporting on the State’s progress towards that goal.

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

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.