Plugged In To Education

December 8, 2025

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

What’s Inside

  • $100 Million Child Care Capital Construction Funding Program Announced
  • New Survey Shows Distraction-Free Schools Law is Delivering Results for New York Students and Teachers
  • New York State Education Department Releases 2024–25 State Assessment Results
  • 2024-25 New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) Annual Report Released
  • Governor Hochul Announces $100 Million in NY BRICKS Grants for 30 Community Center Projects Statewide
  • New Yorkers Can Now Apply for Home Energy Assistance
  • Funding Opportunities
  • State Register
  • Coming Up

$100 Million Child Care Capital Construction Funding Program Announced

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of a new $100 million Child Care Capital Construction Funding Program designed to increase the availability of quality care and expand the capacity of child care, including school age programs, across New York State by funding the construction of new child care facilities or expanding existing ones. The initiative is expected to add between 6,000 and 10,000 new seats at child care programs for New York families. The Child Care Capital Funding Program is overseen by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY). The program will provide funding for design, construction, reconstruction, renovation, equipment, and other capital assets for existing or proposed not-for-profit or municipal OCFS-licensed child day care centers, OCFS-registered school-age child care programs, and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene permitted group day care programs. The facility must be intended to be used as a child care program for at least eight years and should be located in an area with a current shortage of regulated child care services. For more information, visit the Child Care Construction Funding Program on the OCFS website. Applications will be accepted from February 2, 2026, through March 13, 2026. Awards will be announced no earlier than May 4, 2026.

New Survey Shows Distraction-Free Schools Law is Delivering Results for New York Students and Teachers

Governor Kathy Hochul announced last week new survey results showing that her distraction-free schools law is already having a transformative impact for students and teachers at schools throughout New York State. The Governor’s Office distributed the survey in November and received over 350 responses from school administrators statewide that implemented bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions following Governor Hochul’s distraction-free schools law.

The survey found that:  

  • 92 Percent reported that their transition to a distraction-free policy went smoothly.
  • 83 percent reported that their schools are experiencing more positive classroom environments and better student engagement since implementing a distraction-free policy.
  • 75 percent reported that implementing a distraction-free policy is improving their ability to teach effectively.

New York State Education Department Releases 2024–25 State Assessment Results

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) released the results of the 2024-25 Statewide Assessments, including Grades 3–8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics Assessments and the Regents Examinations. The data provides important insight into student learning, reflects the impact of statewide instructional priorities, and demonstrates the continued progress districts are making as part of NY Inspires, New York’s strategic vision for improving teaching and learning.

2024-25 New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) Annual Report Released

The New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) released the 2024-25 Annual Report, which highlights a milestone year for college affordability and opportunity in New York. With $935 million in financial aid supporting over 294,000 students in the 2024-25 academic year, the report highlighted bold new initiatives and partnerships that continue to make higher education more accessible for all New Yorkers.

Key Highlights from the 2024-25 Annual Report:

Tuition Assistance Program Expansion: TAP expansion doubled the minimum award from $500 to $1,000, income threshold limits were raised from $80,000 to $125,000 for dependent students, $40,000 to $60,000 for independent married students, and from $10,000 to $30,000 for independent single students, and aid was extended to part-time students taking as few as three credits.

Increased Student Aid Distribution: HESC administered $935 million in state financial aid, supporting over 294,000 students across New York, up from $873 million the previous year.

FAFSA Completion Milestone: New York achieved a FAFSA ranking of sixth in the nation for the first time ever, driven by enhanced statewide outreach that generated 175,000 FAFSA and 47,000 TAP submissions.

College Application Month Success: More than 300,000 college application fees were waived for New York students applying during College Application Month in October 2024. With the average application cost of $50 per institution, this initiative saved New York families an estimated $15 million.

Expanded Pathways to Financial Aid: HESC launched the Alternate Eligibility Application, creating a new pathway for students to apply for state aid alongside the FAFSA and NYS DREAM Act.

Digital Growth and Engagement: The HESC website drew over 3 million users, a 25 percent increase from the previous year, reflecting growing public engagement with HESC’s digital resources.

Governor Hochul Announces $100 Million in NY BRICKS Grants for 30 Community Center Projects Statewide

Governor Kathy Hochul announced 30 awards totaling $100 million through the Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids and Seniors (NY BRICKS) capital grant program. The grants will support municipalities and nonprofit organizations across New York State in building or renovating community centers that promote physical health, mental well-being, and community connections for youth and older adults. The awards, which will benefit nearly 400,000 New Yorkers across the State, are funded from the $100 million NY BRICKS program, which Governor Hochul secured in the FY 2026 Enacted Budget.

New Yorkers Can Now Apply for Home Energy Assistance

New Yorkers can now begin applying for heating assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Program to help defray the high cost of heating their homes during the winter. The program, known as HEAP, can provide up to $996 to eligible households, depending on how they heat their home. New Yorkers can visit ny.gov/EAP to learn about eligibility and enrollment.

Funding Opportunities

The NYS Department of Health announced the availability of funding for the Creating Healthy Schools and Communities to provide services in priority communities to implement evidence-based nutrition and physical activity strategies and collaboratively leverage local, regional, or state investments, partnerships, coalitions, and resources from a variety of sectors to help reduce health disparities in chronic conditions (e.g., hypertension, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity) related to poor nutrition and physical inactivity. Under this RFA, the Department intends to have statewide reach in all five (5) regions of the state through 15 community-level Grantees for Component A and one (1) Physical Activity and Nutrition Center of Excellence (PANCE) Grantee for Component B to provide training and technical assistance to Component A Grantees including health equity approaches. Due December 12, 2025

The NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) announced the release of a RFP to operate Family Resource Centers (FRCs). This initiative is designed to support community-based FRC programs with the goal of strengthening and supporting families to prevent abuse/maltreatment and/or the recurrence of abuse/maltreatment, and improving outcomes for families at risk of/or experiencing child abuse. Due December 12, 2025

The NYS Office of Mental Health announced the availability of funds for the expansion of a Youth Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) in Central or Western New York OMH regions. The Youth ACT team serves children/youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED), who are returning home from inpatient settings or residential services, at risk of entering such settings, or have not adequately engaged or responded to treatment in more traditional community-based services. Due December 16, 2025

The NYS Office of Mental Health announced the availability of funds for the Afghan Refugee Health Program to promote health literacy, coordination of mental health services, and facilitation of wellness group activities for Afghan arrivals. Many Afghans are arriving to the United States with immediate as well as long-term mental health needs. Due December 17, 2025

The NYS Office of Mental Health announced the availability of $6 million for the expansion and/or creation of health-led community behavioral health crisis response pilot programs consistent with the Daniel’s Law Task Force (DLTF) Behavioral Health Crisis Response report established pursuant to Chapter 57 of the laws of 2023 and Chapter 53 of the Laws of 2025. This procurement seeks to establish at least three (3) pilot programs, one (1) each in an urban, suburban, and rural area. Due January 12, 2026

The New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute (AIDS Institute), Center for Program Development, Implementation, Research and Evaluation announced the availability of New York State funds to provide research and evaluation support to bring understanding to the research and evaluation questions described in the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute’s Research Agenda and to inform and scale-up evidence-based interventions to increase HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake among Black and Brown communities in New York State. The intent of the Request for Applications is to fund $575,000 annually for three (3) years. This is a procurement which encompasses two (2) Components. Component A: Research and Evaluation Mini Grants. Component B: Inform and Scale-up Intervention to Increase HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Uptake. Due January 14, 2026

The Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance announced applications for the Services to Older Refugees Program 2026 to provide comprehensive case management and activities for participants that aim to support their integration and wellness, including gaining access to mainstream services within their respective communities so they may live independently for as long as possible. Through collaboration with local service providers, SORP providers must engage the refugee communities most in need of services and ensure that outreach and case management services are provided in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner. Due January 16, 2026

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets announced the availability of funds for Round 3 of the 2025 School Food Infrastructure Competitive Grants Program. Due January 20, 2026

State Register

Office of Children and Family Services

  • Diligence of Efforts Requirements and Permanency Planning for Youth in Foster Care (Proposed)

State Education Department

  • Extending Flexibility for Incidental Teaching (Adopted)
  • Regents High School Equivalency (HSE) Exam Pathway (Adopted)
  • Comprehensive Library Board Policies (Proposed)
  • Personal Finance Education and Climate Education (Proposed)
  • Professional Learning Plans (Proposed)

Department of Health

  • Safety of Infant Formula Distributed Under the NYS Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program (Adopted)
  • Children’s Camps (Proposed)

Coming Up

The Assembly Standing Committee on Mental Health Assembly Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse will hold a public hearing on December 10 in New York City to examine the status of the behavioral health workforce.

2025 Regents Meeting Dates

  • December 15 – 16

2026 Regents Meeting Dates

  • January 12 – 13
  • February 9 – 10
  • March 9 – 10
  • April 13 – 14
  • May 18 – 19
  • June 15 – 16
  • July 13 – 14
  • August – Recess
  • September 14 – 15
  • October 5 – 6
  • November 9 – 10
  • December 7 – 8

Not-For-Profit Contracting Advisory Committee

  • December 11, 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.