NY Soc Serv L § 464-D (2021)
2021 New York Laws SOS - Social Services Article 8 - New York State Rural Human Services Networking Program 464-D - Program Established.

§  464-d.  Program  established.  1. The commissioner is authorized to   establish within  the  department  a  rural  human  services  networking   program,  for the purpose of assisting human services providers in rural   areas who seek to participate in the program as hereinafter provided, to   develop pilot projects to address intense social  problems  through  the   creation  of  contracts  or joint or cooperative agreements.  Such pilot   projects shall capitalize on  the  strength  of  existing  providers  by   promoting  the sharing of resources and service delivery in rural areas,   with the goal of reducing total cost to  both  consumers  and  providers   while increasing the availability and accessibility of human services in   such  areas.  Pilot  projects  shall  also  serve to identify methods of   overcoming  impediments  to  the  joint  provision  of  integrated   and   cost-effective human services in rural areas.2.  Within  one  hundred  twenty days after the effective date of this   article, the commissioner, with the advice and guidance of the  advisory   committee,  shall  establish  and give public notice of the existence of   the rural human services networking program,  and  the  availability  of   competitive grants to human services providers interested in undertaking   pilot  projects pursuant to the provisions of this article. At that time   the commissioner shall also distribute information on such program,  and   application forms and procedures to eligible human services providers.3.  In  order to implement the rural human services networking program   the  commissioner  shall,  within  the  amounts  appropriated  therefor,   provide  grants  to eligible applicants on a competitive basis. No grant   for a pilot project shall be awarded  by  the  commissioner  unless  the   application  for  such  grant  has been reviewed by state agencies which   license or certify the applicant  agencies  and  any  comments  on  such   proposals are considered by the commissioner. To be eligible for a grant   under  this  article,  each application shall be submitted pursuant to a   contract or joint or cooperative agreement on  behalf  of  two  or  more   local  or  regional  human  services  providers intending to implement a   pilot project in a rural area. Applications shall be  submitted  to  the   commissioner  on  such forms and at such times as the commissioner shall   prescribe, and completed applications shall be approved  or  disapproved   within  ninety  days  of  submission.  In  the  event  the  commissioner   determines that a grant application is incomplete, or where  waivers  of   any  regulations  are  requested by an applicant, the commissioner shall   have an additional ninety days to act upon such application.4. In determining whether an application shall be approved  and  funds   awarded  pursuant  to this article, the commissioner shall give priority   consideration to applications received  from  human  services  providers   intending  to  implement  a pilot project in the most sparsely populated   rural areas, as shall be previously determined by the  commissioner,  in   conjunction  with  the advisory committee. In addition, the commissioner   shall consider, but such consideration shall  not  be  limited  to,  the   following:a.  The  specific  objectives  and  description  of the proposed pilot   project, including demonstrated awareness of the level of human services   currently being provided within the service area;b. The degree to which the proposed pilot project would meet local  or   regional human services needs;c.  The  demonstrated ability of the applicants to undertake the pilot   project;d. The contribution the project would make toward  the  identification   and development of innovative delivery systems;e.  The  degree  to  which  the proposal would enhance the delivery or   improve the availability and accessibility of services with  respect  to   the full continuum of human services needs; f.  The  degree  to  which  continuity  of  care would be fostered and   improved;g.  The degree to which the proposal would enhance cost efficiency and   access to human services by populations in need of such services;h.  The  degree  to  which  information  sharing,  communication,  and   cooperation between providers and consumers would be fostered;i.  The  degree  to  which  economies  of scale in both the supply and   demand of services would be addressed;j. The demonstrated level of commitment and support  for  the  project   expressed  by  the community, local government body or bodies, and other   local or regional human services providers;k. The impact the proposed pilot project will have on  state  agencies   providing  services or funds for human services programs in the area, as   determined by the commissioner after consulting with such agencies;l. The consistency of the proposed pilot project with  the  provisions   of article forty-one of the mental hygiene law; andm.  Any  potential  loss  of  funds  or  state or federal aid to which   providers may now be entitled, including but  not  limited  to  medicaid   funds,  and  the  actions  to  be  taken  by  the  applicant  and by the   commissioner to ensure the continuation of the same amount of  funds  or   aid.5.  The  commissioner or his or her duly authorized representative may   meet with representatives of the applicants for the informal  discussion   of preliminary and informal plans for a proposed project and may provide   such  technical  assistance as may be requested to implement an approved   project.6. Pilot projects shall be approved for a time period  not  to  exceed   three  years. Within the amounts appropriated therefor, the commissioner   shall approve pilot project grant awards of not less than  ten  thousand   dollars  nor  more  than fifty thousand dollars per pilot project in any   one calendar year. Such grants may be renewed annually for up  to  three   consecutive  years,  subject to the availability of funds. Funds awarded   to each recipient in the second and third years may be the  same  amount   as the grant received in the first year, or may be a lesser amount, with   the  amounts  of such awards determined in accordance with the nature of   the  approved  pilot  project,  the  number  of  delivery  and  consumer   agencies,  and  the  number of clients to be served. If the commissioner   determines that a grant is being used  for  purposes  other  than  those   which are in conformity with this article, the commissioner may withdraw   approval  of  the  project  and require repayment of all or part of such   grant to the state. The commissioner shall cause reports to be  prepared   and submitted for each project by the grantees at such times and in such   manner as are consistent with the purposes of this article.7.  For  the  purpose  of  promoting innovative approaches and maximum   effectiveness  in  the  utilization  of  state  and  local  monies,  and   notwithstanding  any other provisions of law, the commissioner may waive   any  departmental   regulations   that   may   impede   the   successful   implementation  and testing of a pilot project, provided that there is a   finding by the commissioner that  the  general  welfare  of  the  people   receiving  human  services  will  not  be  impaired.  In  addition,  the   commissioner shall consult with federal, state, and local officials with   respect to securing their cooperation in coordinating  related  programs   and  in  seeking  necessary  regulatory  waivers, in order to assure the   effective operation of any pilot project.    Notwithstanding  any  other   provisions  of  law, at the request of the commissioner, on behalf of an   applicant, the commissioner or director of any  other  state  agency  or   department  shall  be  authorized to waive any applicable regulations of   such agency or department that may impede the successful  implementation    of a pilot project, provided there is a finding that the general welfare   of the people receiving human services will not be impaired.8.  Upon  the  request of an applicant, the commissioner or his or her   duly  authorized  representative  may  render  to  such  applicant  such   technical  services  and  assistance as the department may possess or as   may be available to it in order to enable the applicant to carry out the   project and terms of such contract.