Plugged In To Education

January 5, 2021

 

What’s Inside

  • Digital Equity Summit Announced by State Ed
  • Use of Biometric Technology Suspended in Schools
  • New York City Announces Changes to 2021-22 School Year Admissions Process
  • SUNY Medical Schools See Significant Increase in Applications
  • Directive Released for Localities Submitting Raise the Age Claims
  • DOH Updates
  • New COVID-19 Guidance
  • NYS Register
  • Funding Opportunities

Digital Equity Summit Announced by State Ed

The Board of Regents and the State Education Department announced three Digital Equity Summits will be convened to establish a shared understanding of digital inequity in the state. According to the press release, the summits will bring together education, government, community, and business partners from across the state to develop recommended next steps in the short-term and long-term involving business, industry, community organizations and all levels of government to benefit students and their families. The Digital Equity Summits will take place January 28 and March 8 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and will include presentations by national speakers and breakout discussions. The Board and Department will share the results of this work in a report, which will be made available to stakeholders and can be used as a blueprint for continued change.

Use of Biometric Technology Suspended in Schools

Last month Governor Cuomo signed legislation (A6787-D/S5140-B) suspending the use of facial recognition technology and other kinds of biometric technology in schools, and instead directs a study of whether its use is appropriate in schools and issuing recommendations. The legislation places a moratorium on schools purchasing and using biometric identifying technology until at least July 1, 2022 or until the report is completed and the State Education Commissioner authorizes its use, whichever occurs later. It applies to both public and private schools in New York State.

New York City Announces Changes to 2021-22 School Year Admissions Process

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard A. Carranza announced changes to the middle and high school admissions process for NYC Department of Education (DOE) public schools beginning this winter for the 2021-22 school year. The announcement builds on existing steps the administration has taken to advance diversity and equity in admissions decisions and expand opportunity for all students.

SUNY Medical Schools See Significant Increase in Applications

State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras announced a significant year-over-year surge in M.D. program applications to SUNY’s four medical schools. Compared to the number of applications received in 2019, the University at Buffalo, Upstate Medical University, Stony Brook University, and Downstate Health Sciences University all experienced a notable spike in M.D. applications in 2020. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), medical school applications are up 18 percent over the last year thanks in large part to the example set by medical workers, doctors, and public health figures.

Directive Released for Localities Submitting Raise the Age Claims

The Office of Children & Families Services issued a Local Commissioners Memorandum (LCM) to provide localities with claiming instructions for certain Raise the Age (RTA) public safety expenses made in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2020-21. There are no notable changes from the prior year’s issuance of this LCM.

DOH Updates

Children’s Medicaid Health and Behavioral Health

Children and Family Treatment and Support Services/Home and Community Based Services

  • The State has created an interactive map of designated providers by service and by county so referrals can more easily be directed to these providers.
  • The State is asking care managers to complete a survey to report when they are encountering service waitlists or other HCBS access issues so the State can assist in addressing these issues and help build provider capacity.

New COVID-19 Guidance

OPWDD and DOH have released additional guidance on the COVID-19 vaccine prioritization:

Interim COVID-19 Guidance: Week 4 COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritization in OPWDD Certified Settings

DOH Issued Prioritization of Essential Healthcare and Direct Support Personnel as well as High-Risk Populations for COVID-19 Vaccination

NYS Register

Proposed Regulations- 60 Day Comment Period

·     The Office of Children and Family Services issued a notice of proposed rule making to outline the procedures for requesting and conducting criminal history disqualification reviews for applicants for enrollment, employment, and/or a volunteer position at a child care program who are denied such role based on a non-mandatory disqualifying criminal conviction.

·     The State Education Department issued a notice of proposed rule making to update the requirements for awarding the NYS Seal of Biliteracy.

·     The State Education Department issued a notice of proposed rule making to make the content core requirement for the Computer Science certificate aligned with the NYS Computer Science Standards.

·     The State Education Department issued a notice of proposed rule making to conform the law with the statutory requirements for issuance of an M.D. to foreign-educated applicants.

·     The State Education Department issued a notice of proposed rule making to implement chapter 95 of the Laws of 2019, known as the Crown Act.

·     The State Education Department issued a notice of proposed rule making to update the definitions of violent and disruptive incidents for purposes of the VADIR and update the School Violence Index.

 

Emergency/Proposed Rule Making/60 Day Public Comment

·     The State Education Department issued a notice of emergency/proposed rule making to address additional issues resulting from the interruptions caused by the COVID-19 crisis and adopt further regulatory amendments.

·     The State Education Department issued a notice of emergency/proposed rule making to enact “Erin’s Law” which requires that all students in kindergarten through grade 8 receive instruction designed to prevent child sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse.
Emergency Rule Making and Revised Rule Making- 45 Day Comment Period

·     The State Education Department issued a notice of emergency/revised rule making to provide flexibility for certain regulatory requirements in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

·     The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities issued a notice of emergency/revised rule making to assist providers in maintaining capacity to operate during the public health emergency.

 

Notice of Adoption

·     The Office of Children and Family Services issued a notice of adoption to define ‘‘non-school hours’’ and ‘‘those periods of the year in which school is not in session” to include virtual and/or remote learning as in school hours.

·     The State Education Department issued a notice of adoption to clarify eligibility requirements for participation of students with IEPs section 504 or ADA pans in interschool competition.

·     The State Education Department issued a notice of adoption to permit the department to establish the financial transparency reporting requirement deadline administratively.

·     The State Education Department issued a notice of adoption to implement Chapter 436 of the 2018 requiring continuing education for psychologists.

·     The State Education Department issued a notice of adoption to align the Commissioner’s regulations with national SARA policy and federal regulations.

Funding Opportunities

The New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) announced an opportunity for qualified entities that provide a comprehensive training program for OCFS-licensed, Article 29-I Voluntary Foster Care Agency Health Facilities 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 Office of Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation is seeking applications for grants under the Zoos, Botanical Gardens, And Aquariums Program to fund expenses related to the care, maintenance, security and interpretation of eligible collections. Due January 15, 2021

The Interest on Lawyer Account Fund of the State of New York (IOLA) is 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 Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC) announced 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) 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 to enhance peer-run organizations’ operational capacity and organizational health. Due January 27, 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 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 16, 2021

The NYS Office of Prevention of Domestic Violence will fund up to 20 grants of up to $125,000.00 each for the Housing Navigators Program to “bridge the gap” between domestic violence services and housing providers in order to ensure that the housing needs of domestic violence victims are met. Due February 26, 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).

The following State Boards of Professions will meet:

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.