Plugged In To Education

March 28, 2025

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

What’s Inside

  • One-House Budgets Released
  • Attorney General James Sues Trump Administration to Stop Dismantling of Department of Education and Protect Students
  • DASNY Releases Request for Information (RFI) for NY Bricks
  • Legislature Elects Members to the Board of Regents
  • Funding Opportunities
  • State Register
  • Coming Up

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on the Devastating Impact of Federal Cuts on New York State’s Health and Human Service Programs

Governor Kathy Hochul shared a breakdown of the Trump administration’s sweeping federal cuts to New York State’s health programs, and how these cuts to health funding will affect New Yorkers. The amount of funding lost will have a devastating impact statewide on programs that ensure the safety and well-being of people in New York, gutting over $360 million in financial resources toward mental health and addiction services, and health departments across the State.

  • Department of Health- DOH expects to lose over $300 million in funding for organizations across the State.
  • Office of Addiction Services and Supports- OASAS expects to lose $40 million total in funding, which will result in significant cuts to addiction and prevention services, treatment supports and access to resources for individuals struggling with substance use.
  • Office of Mental Health- OMH expects to lose $27 million total in funding for programs and services for individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use needs. These programs were intended to allow individuals in need of care to remain in their homes, connected to their natural support systems during treatment.

BOOST and Youth Safe Spaces RFP’s Announced

This week, the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and the Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced two competitive opportunities for non-profits seeking to serve youth through afterschool opportunities or the creation of safe spaces:

  • The New York State (NYS) Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is seeking competitive applications to the NYS Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time (BOOST) initiative to serve high-school-aged youth (ages 13-21) during afternoon and evening hours, weekends, and/or school breaks, including the summer. A key principle of the BOOST initiative is strong partnerships with the school’s participants and their communities. This means the program aligns the goals and services with community and school needs to ensure effective lines of communication, share data and resources, and have a shared commitment to equity.
  • In response to youth demands for more youth-driven programs, the New York State (NYS) Office of Mental Health (OMH) has announced funding for 3-5 pilot Youth Safe Space Programs targeting individuals ages 12–24. This program will create standalone Safe Spaces and designate other community spaces—such as libraries, OASAS Youth Recovery Clubhouses, Boys and Girls Clubs, Park & Recreation Centers, etc.—as Safe Spaces through an application and funding process. Applicants are not required to be licensed OMH providers to participate.

Attorney General James Continues the Fight to Stop Trump from Shutting Down the Department of Education

New York Attorney General Letitia James is leading a coalition of 20 other attorneys general in filing a motion for a preliminary injunction as part of their lawsuit to stop the dismantling of the Department of Education (ED). On March 13, Attorney General James and the coalition filed their lawsuit after the Trump administration announced plans to eliminate 50 percent of the Department’s workforce. Following a March 20 Executive Order directing the closure of ED and President Trump’s March 21 announcement that, in addition to implementing layoffs, the Department must “immediately” transfer student loan management and special education services outside of the Department, Attorney General James and the coalition are seeking a court order to immediately stop the mass layoffs and transfer of services.

State Education Department Launches Statewide My Sister’s Keeper Initiative

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) launched the New York State My Sister’s Keeper initiative to focus on the specific challenges girls and young women of color experience in STEM education. The initiative will work to eliminate gender disparities in STEM fields while supporting diversity and building leadership skills in future female leaders. MSK will conduct workshops to teach life skills and strategies for college and job success. MSK will also seek to reinforce classroom learning through interactive STEM activities and educational field trips to laboratories, technology companies, and universities. These hands-on experiences will foster practical understanding while stimulating ongoing interest in STEM disciplines.

Funding Opportunities

The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), in consultation with New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) released a Request for Information (“RFI”) to determine interest and solicit information from municipalities, local recreation commissions, and not-for-profit organizations authorized to do business in New York State that are interested in participating in the New York Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids, and Seniors (NY BRICKS) initiative, a new competitive grant program to promote physical health, mental well-being, and community connections for youth and older adults across the state. Due April 16. 2025

The NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit competitive applications for the establishment of a Statewide School-Age Technical Assistance Resource Center (SATARC) to provide culturally and linguistically responsive coordination of services for after-school and out-of-school-time programs that are supported by OCFS funding. Due May 13, 2025

The NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit competitive applications for up to three not-for-profit organizations to serve as the administrative partners/project managers, also known as “Facilitator Hubs”, of the Empire State Child Care Share (ESCCS) Pilot Program. Due May 20, 2025

The Office of Mental Health announced funds for Children’s Community Residences (CCRs). The funding will target CCR programs for Transition Age Youth with or at Risk of Child Welfare Involvement. Children’s Community Residences are 8 bed short term home-like therapeutic programs. They are for youth with serious emotional disturbance due to a mental health diagnosis. The goal of a CCR is to assist youth in a successful transition to less restrictive settings so they can continue their recovery journey. Due April 3, 2025

The Department of Agriculture and Markets is inviting eligible entities to apply for funds through the FreshConnect CSA for SNAP Grant Program, which will allow SNAP participants to access the Community Supported Agriculture model by partially subsidizing the cost of weekly share purchases. Eligible Applicants Include: • Not-For-Profit Organizations • Indian Tribal Organizations • Public Educational Institutions • Local or Municipal Governments. Due July 22, 2025

State Register

State Education Department

  • Designation of a Deputy Commissioner of Education to provide flexibility should the organization of the Department change in the future. (Emergency)
  • Evidence-Based and Scientifically Based Reading Instruction to conform the Commissioner’s regulations to Education Law section 818, which became effective April 1, 2024. (Emergency)
  • Relating to the Application of Topical Fluoride Varnish by Registered Dental Assistants (Emergency)
  • Use of Therapeutic Pharmaceutical Agents and Continuing Education Requirements for Licensed Optometrists (Emergency/proposed)
  • Diploma Assessment Requirements to allow for exemptions from the diploma assessment requirements due to a major life event. (Emergency/proposed)
  • Evaluation of Classroom Teachers and Building Principals (Adopted)
  • First Aid Requirements for Coaches clarifying the first aid training coaches must receive and which courses are sufficient for that purpose. (Proposed)
  • Prohibition of Corporal Punishment and Standards for Behavioral Interventions. (Proposed)
  • Teaching Assistant Certification to Establish Initial and Professional TA certificates to replace Level I, II, and III TA certificates. (Proposed)
  • Relating to the Regulation of Surrender Orders in Disciplinary Proceedings (Proposed)

Coming Up

Upcoming Regents Meeting Dates

  • April 7 – 8
  • May 5 – 6
  • June 9 – 10
  • July 14 – 15

State Board Meetings

  • Dietetics and Nutrition: April 3, 2025 (Albany, Buffalo, New York City, Syracuse)
  • Pharmacy: April 10, 2025 (New York City)
  • Respiratory Therapy: April 10, 2025

Not-For-Profit Contracting Advisory Committee

  • May 20, 2025

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. 2025. All rights reserved.