Plugged In To Education – December 18, 2020
What’s Inside
- OCFS Issues Directive on PINS Reforms
- Board of Regents Adopts First-Ever Learning Standards for Computer Science and Digital Fluency
- Federal Government Extends Student Loan Forbearance
- Settlement Announced for Runaway and Homeless Youth in NYC
- Board of Regents Advance Budget and Legislative Priorities for the 2021-21 School Year
- New COVID-19 Guidance
- NYS Register
- Funding Opportunities
OCFS Issues Directive on PINS Reforms
This week, the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) issued an Administrative Directive (ADM) to provide an updated outline and description of the changes made to Article 7 of the Family Court Act (FCA) to enact Persons In Need of Supervision (PINS) reforms. For background, the Raise the Age (RTA) legislation enacted in 2017 included provisions to eliminate state funding for PINS placement and detention as of January 1, 2020, but did not alter the ability of the family courts of New York State to order such placements, which lead to subsequenct changes to the PINS process in 2019. According to the directive, these reforms emphasize the use and delivery of services safely in the community, exhausting all diversion efforts prior to court intervention, avoiding all unnecessary out-of-home placements, and safely and swiftly returning youth back to their communities if placed.
Board of Regents Adopts First-Ever Learning Standards for Computer Science and Digital Fluency
The Board of Regents adopted New York State’s first-ever K-12 Learning Standards for Computer Science and Digital Fluency to ensure that every student knows how to be safe in a technology-dominated world, including understanding the essential features of digital technologies, why and how they work, and how to communicate and create using those technologies. The new standards are the culmination of a two-year, collaborative process that included New York State teachers and statewide experts on computer science and educational technology. The Department will return to the Board of Regents in fall 2021 with regulatory and policy recommendations related to embedding this new subject area into the K-12 program requirements. Department staff will engage with partners across the state to develop guidance materials and tools to aid schools in the implementation of the new standards.
Federal Government Extends Student Loan Forbearance
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced the extension of the federal student loan administrative forbearance period, the pause in interest accrual, and the suspension of collections activity through January 31, 2021. Federal student loan borrowers will not be expected to make payments through January of next year, though they will continue to be able to do so and benefit from the 0% interest rate as they pay down principal
Settlement Announced for Runaway and Homeless Youth in NYC
Earlier this month, the Legal Aid Society announced the preliminary approval of a class action settlement in C.W. v. The City of New York. The settlement will expand access to essential, life-saving youth programs and services for runaway and homeless youth ages 16-20 in New York City and make citywide procedural changes that will improve the system for young people ages 16-20 who seek shelter or services going forward.
Board of Regents Advance Budget and Legislative Priorities for the 2021-21 School Year
The New York State Board of Regents outlined its State Aid Proposal that calls for ensuring level state funding over a two-year period to continue to address the needs of school districts amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, legislation proposed by the Department would eliminate or reduce a significant number of statutory mandates and provide greater flexibility relating to transportation and educational management.
New COVID-19 Guidance
Webinar: Micro-Cluster Strategy: Red, Orange and Yellow Zone Testing in Schools – December 14, 2020
Updated Guidance for School Administrators Regarding Limited Temporary Enforcement of Student Immunization Requirement – December 11, 2020
Memo to Religious and Independent School Leaders: Notification to the Commissioner of Education When Closing a School Building due to the COVID-19 Pandemic – December 2020
Memo: Parental Right to Decline Examination Waivers – December 8, 2020
Regents Examination Exemption Declination Form for Parents – December 2020
Interim Guidance on COVID-19 Testing Requirements for Public and Non-Public Schools Located in Areas Designated as “Red” or “Orange” Cluster Zones Under the New York State Cluster Action Initiative – Updated December 4, 2020
Recent Amendments to Education Law §2801-a Regarding Pandemic Planning – December 3, 2020
Welcoming Student Teachers into School Districts – December 1, 2020
ADDITIONAL ADDENDUM to Interim Guidance on Mandatory COVID-19 Testing in Public and Non-Public Schools Located in Areas Designated as “Yellow Zones” Under the New York State Cluster Action Initiative – Updated November 14, 2020
NYS Register
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Funding Opportunities
The New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) announces an opportunity for qualified entities that provide a comprehensive training program for OCFS-licensed, Article 29-I Voluntary Foster Care Agency Health Facilities (Click here for Article 29-I guidance) Medicaid Managed Care transition activities, Children and Family Treatment Support Services and Home and Community Based Waiver Services to advise OCFS of their interest to this advertisement by responding with a Letter of Interest. Due January 6, 2021
The New York State Education Department (NYSED), ESSA Funded Program Office, is seeking proposals to carry out the responsibilities of the New York State Technical and Education Assistance Center for Homeless Students (NYS-TEACHS) and to address issues involving homeless children and unaccompanied youth. Due January 15, 2021
The Interest on Lawyer Account Fund of the State of New York (IOLA) is now seeking applications for the FY 2022 & 2023 IOLA grant to support those qualified non-profit organizations throughout New York State that will most efficiently and effectively provide stable, economical and high quality civil legal representation to eligible clients, and will improve the administration of justice. Due January 22, 2021
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to invite interested bidders to submit proposals to serve as a contractor to educate and support the Peer Workforce. Due January 27, 2021
The Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC) announces the availability of approximately $10 million in federal funds for the NYS HOME Program to expand the supply of decent, safe, and affordable housing throughout the State of New York. Due January 22, 2021
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) is seeking Letters of Interest from not-for profit (with 501(c)3 incorporation) children’s providers interested in delivering Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) services to Suffolk county youth aged 10-21. Due January 22, 2021
The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) announced the availability of funds in the amount of $17,500,000 to continue the work of Project TEACH (Training and Education for the Advancement of Children’s Health). Due February 01, 2021
The State Education Department is accepting applications for the Family and Community Engagement Program (FCEP) to increase the academic achievement and college and career readiness of boys and young men of color through the My Brothers Keeper initiative. Due February 1, 2021
The New York State Education Department (NYSED) announced the availability of funding for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title II and Welfare Education Program to provide adult education and literacy services to assist out-of-school youth and adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency and assist these individuals in the completion of a secondary school education. Due March 30, 2021
The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) is making funding available under the Apprenticeship Expansion Grant (AEG-2) to expand Registered Apprenticeship (RA) training by increasing employment opportunities for approximately 800 apprentices with a focus on underrepresented populations. Due March 26, 2021
Coming Up
The Board of Regents will hold their next meeting on January 11 – 12 (Monday and Tuesday).
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.