Plugged In To Education

December 10, 2021

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

Highlights

Proposed Federal Waiver for State Accountability Requirements and School Improvement Funding Now Available for Public Comment

The State Education Department (SED) announced public comments are now being accepted on a proposed waiver request to the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) related to state accountability requirements under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and Title I School Improvement Funding. The full text of the proposed waiver is posted on NYSED’s ESSA webpage, as is information on how to submit a public comment through an online submission form. Public comments will be accepted through Wednesday, December 15.  If the waiver is approved by the USDE, the Department will propose to the Board of Regents that it adopt such amendments to Commissioner’s Regulations to implement the waiver.

Upcoming Webinar: Starting a Food Donation Program at your Business

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will host a webinar on January 4, 2022 from 10:00 – 11:30am to break down key aspects of starting or improving a food donation program at your business or institution. Representatives from DEC will also be available during the event to answer questions about the upcoming Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law.

NYATEP Releases Annual Workforce Report

The New York Association of Training and Employment Professionals (NYATEP) released their annual State of the Workforce Report this week. The report finds that New York’s economy is slowly recovering, and despite the open jobs the State is struggling to keep up with the demand for workers, and workers continue to struggle to access good paying jobs that meet their economic needs.

HESC Releases Annual Report

The Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) released their annual report last week. In 2020-21, HESC helped nearly 280,000 students achieve their college dreams by providing more than $890 million in program funding.

Attorney General James Releases Charities Report

New York Attorney General Letitia James released her annual “Pennies for Charity: Fundraising by Professional Fundraisers” report, which found that charities that retained professional fundraisers received about two-thirds of every dollar donated in 2020. In addition, the report found despite a significant decrease in in-person fundraising and pandemic-related closures and postponements, charitable giving in response to fundraising campaigns in New York jumped to over $1.4 billion in 2020 — an increase of more than $179 million from 2019 pre-pandemic campaign revenues.

Digital Equity Portal Launches in New York State

The State Education Department, in collaboration with public and private partners, launched the New York State (NYS) Digital Equity Portal, an interactive, online data mapping tool for communities across the state seeking data on New Yorkers’ ability to access the internet to advance digital equity. The NYS Digital Equity Portal reveals barriers to internet access and this data will help communities develop digital equity strategies based on an understanding of digital equity needs, gaps and priorities.

COVID Guidance

Commissioner’s Determination on COVID-19 Testing Pursuant to 10 NYCRR 2.62. Updated December 8, 2021 – Read the determination requiring COVID-19 testing of all faculty and staff at all New York P-12 schools.

Revised Updated Testing and Quarantine Supplemental Information to the “Interim Guidance for Classroom Instruction in P-12 Schools During the 2021-2022 Academic Year”. December 3, 2021 – Providing Local Health Departments (LHDs) with clarification on the new information regarding testing and quarantine.

COVID-19 Reporting and Testing: Emergency Regulation. Updated December 1, 2021 – All schools are required to report COVID-19 testing results to the DOH effective immediately.

Face Coverings for COVID-19 Prevention: Emergency Regulation. Updated November 24, 2021 – Read the emergency regulation concerning the wearing of face coverings/masks in schools.

NY Register

December 8, 2021

• The Office of Children and Family Services issued a notice of emergency rule making to comply with the Federal Family First Prevention Services Act and avoid the loss of crucial federal Title IV-E funding to support various child welfare activities in New York State.
• The Office of Children and Family Services issued a notice of adoption to establish standards for the approval and administration of host family homes.
• The Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance issued a notice of emergency rule making to implement the new federally-approved standard utility allowances (SUAs) for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

December 1, 2021

• The Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) issued a notice of emergency adoption and a notice of proposed rule making to provide updates to general provisions applicable to all OASAS programs.
• The State Education Department issued a notice of emergency adoption and a notice of proposed rule making to extend flexibilities for annual visitation of voluntarily registered nursery schools and kindergartens.
• The State Education Department issued a notice proposed rule making regarding special education impartial hearing officers and the special education due process system procedures.
• The State Education Department issued a notice proposed rule making to conform New York State’s licensure requirements for psychologists with national standards and create a pathway for licensure by endorsement.
• The State Education Department issued a notice proposed rule making to streamline the definition of the term ‘‘year of experience’’ for permanent or professional certification.
• The State Education Department issued a notice proposed rule making to align the student enrollment number for eligibility for school districts’ exemption from the establishment of an internal audit function with the applicable statute.
• The State Education Department issued a notice proposed rule making to revise records retention and disposition schedule LGS-1 and to remove superseded disposition schedule.
• The Department of Law issued a notice proposed rule making to amend contents of annual financial reports required to be filed by charities required to register with the department of law.
• The Office of Mental Health issued a notice of emergency adoption and a notice of proposed rule making to intended to continue to expand the opportunity to offer telemental health services in the New York State regulated mental health system.

Funding Opportunities

The Department of Health (DOH) announced the availability of funding to implement the Eat Well Play Hard in Child Care Settings (EWPHCCS) initiative. EWPHCCS is a research-tested, multi-level obesity prevention intervention that focuses on improving the nutrition and physical activity behaviors of low-income families and their children enrolled in registered and licensed child day care programs. Due December 21, 2021 

The Department of Agriculture and Markets announced the availability of funding for the NYS Farm to School Competitive Grant Program for projects that increase the volume and variety of New York State grown items on school menus. Applicants are encouraged to include other objectives including agricultural and nutrition education, gardening activities and relationship building with local agricultural food businesses and farmers. Projects that partner with producers, food processors, food hubs, or distributors are strongly encouraged. Eligible entities include schools, school districts, school food authorities, charter schools, tribal organizations, and not-for-profit organizations. Due December 30, 2021 

The Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is seeking proposals for the SFY 2021-2022 Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes (SCAHC) to fund safety and security projects at nonprofit organizations at risk of hate crimes or attacks because of their ideology, beliefs or mission. Due January 7, 2022 

The Department of Health (DOH) and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) announced the availability of funds under the Statewide Health Care Facility Transformation Program III (SHCFTP III), to provide grants in support of capital projects, debt retirement, working capital or other non-capital projects directly related to a capital project that facilitate health care transformation activities including, but not limited to, merger, consolidation, acquisition or other activities. Due January 12, 2022 

The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is seeking applications from Not for Profit (NFP) organizations authorized to do business in New York State to serve as the provider of Crisis Services for Individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (CSIDD) and a Resource Center(s) in OPWDD’s Developmental Disabilities Regional Office 3 (“Region 3”). The RFA process will result in one independent grant contract between the successful applicant and OPWDD for the performance of the services described in the attached RFA. Due January 12, 2022 

The Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) seeks applications for the FY21-22 Rural Communities of Practice Initiative to fund strategies for the prevention of and response to juvenile delinquency in rural areas of New York State. Due January 14, 2022 

The Department of Health (DOH) announced the availability of a total of $1.5 million of the DOH Capital IT Fund to provide grants in support of projects under the Telehealth Capital Program. The objective of the Telehealth Capital Program is to support investments that will create new, community infrastructure to expand telehealth access among low-income, minority, rural, older, and other under-resourced communities whose connectivity gaps and disparate access to health care have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded projects should address barriers such as lack of internet connectivity, equipment, or private spaces necessary to access telehealth. Due January 18, 2022

The Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) announced the availability of funding for an Online Transitions Resource for Families and People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) to support the development of an accessible online resource that provides people with IDD and their families a roadmap of opportunities and options at different transition points throughout the lifespan. Due January 21, 2022 

The Department of Health (DOH) announced the availability of funding for the following components of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC):

• Component A: Local Agency- Seeking not-for-profits (hospitals and community-based organizations) and local health departments to serve as WIC local agencies to promote and maintain the health and well-being of nutritionally at risk pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children by providing nutritious food, nutrition and health education, breastfeeding support, and referral services to categorically and income eligible individuals found to be at substantial nutritional and/or medical risk. Due February 3, 2022 
• Component B: Vendor Management Agency- Seeking contractors to authorize and oversee retail food stores and pharmacies (vendors) responsible for the delivery of prescribed, nutritious foods to women, infants and children who participate in the WIC program. Due February 3, 2022 

The Department of Health (DOH) announced the availability of funding for Patricia S. Brown Breast Cancer Risk Reduction Education Research Projects to encourage the development and implementation of innovative pilot projects in breast cancer risk reduction education with rigorous evaluation and revision. Successful applications will propose the design of new educational strategies to elicit behavior changes intended to reduce specific risk factors associated with developing breast cancer. Due March 8, 2022

Upcoming

NYS State Board Meetings

• Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology: December 10, 2021 (WebEx Meeting)
• Massage Therapy: December 10, 2021 (Zoom Meeting)

The Assembly will hold a public hearing on December 13, 2021 to examine the overall impact and implementation of the enacted 2021-2022 State Budget as it relates to direct and indirect funding of workforce development programs administered and/or funded by various State entities.

The Assembly Committee on Social Services will hold a public hearing on December 14, 2021 to examine the current state of homelessness in New York State.

The Senate Standing Committee on Ethics and Internal Governance and the Senate Higher Education Committee will hold a public hearing on January 11, 2022 to discuss campus sexual assault.

 

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.