Video & Transcript Research : 'childbirth program'
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MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 01/21/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- We do this for our multifamily programs. We do it for our single-family programs.
- We do this for our multifamily programs. We do it for our single-family programs.
- We do this for our multifamily programs. We do it for our single-family programs.
- We do this for our multifamily programs. We do it for our single-family programs.
- If we have a program guide and we've issued an RFP, is the program running, or is the program not running
Summary:
The Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee met for an organizational hearing focused on introductions, committee jurisdiction, and a presentation from Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Commissioner Jennifer Ho. Members described their priorities for the session, including addressing HOA issues, senior housing affordability, manufactured housing exploitation, first-time homebuyer access, housing and health connections, homelessness protections, downtown conversions, and expanding starter homes, ADUs, and smaller multifamily housing. Chair Port emphasized bipartisan collaboration and the committee’s focus on removing barriers to housing production and expanding homeownership.
A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to remembering Senator Carrie Dietz, with Chair Port, Senator Draheim, and Commissioner Ho each describing her deep knowledge, behind-the-scenes leadership, and role in major housing accomplishments. They highlighted her work on fire sprinkler requirements in high-rise buildings, rental housing safety, public and nonprofit housing repairs, protections against predatory investors, manufactured and workforce housing, tenant protections, down payment assistance, local affordable housing aid, homelessness services, and the Bring It Home program, which helped pave the way for Minnesota’s rental voucher program. Advocates’ letters honoring her contributions were also made available to members.
Committee staff then reviewed the panel’s jurisdiction, including housing and homelessness prevention, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency oversight and budget matters, housing bond allocation authority, housing infrastructure bonds, manufactured housing, rent control, transitional housing, and homeless prevention. Chair Port said the budget overview would be held for a later hearing. Commissioner Ho introduced her staff and outlined Minnesota Housing’s mission as a statewide mission-driven financial institution that finances affordable housing, homeownership, supportive housing, homelessness prevention, and manufactured housing through partnerships with lenders, developers, service providers, tribes, and local governments. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken at this meeting.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE Feb 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- and the state program and how much funding was in that program, because we are looking at the methodology
- Those children that are in those programs will be rolled into ABC slots if the particular program is
- going to an ABC program.
- And so do you see the HIPPY program or programs like the home visiting ...see the HIPPY program or programs
- It is a great program.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
April 1, 2025 - 12:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Does this program, do these programs that are faith-based charge for their services?
- , it really expands the program.
- , it really expands the program.
- Is it some type of identification that says this program includes faith-based, this program doesn't?
- If faith-based programs are not permitted now in batterers intervention programs, which they're not,
Summary:
The Human Services Subcommittee met with a full agenda and reported all measures favorably. The committee first heard HB 1327, which would codify the Hope Florida program in state law, and HB 1329, the related public-records exemption for Hope Florida participants; both bills drew questions about oversight, duplication of services, staffing, and data privacy, and both passed 17-0 after an amendment to HB 1329. The committee then approved HB 391, allowing certified batterers intervention programs to include optional faith-based content while remaining grounded in required therapeutic models; an amendment clarified that participation in faith-based components must be strictly voluntary. Supporters argued the bill restores choice and access, while opponents raised concerns about church-state separation and uneven availability of secular alternatives; the bill passed 17-0.
Members also advanced HB 1065, creating an Alzheimer’s disease awareness initiative through the Department of Elder Affairs, with broad support from members who shared personal experiences and emphasized early detection and public education. HB 1163, dealing with recovery residences, passed 12-5 after debate over local zoning authority, home rule, and whether the bill would help or hinder placement of level four recovery homes near urban cores. Several members said they supported recovery housing in principle but wanted more clarity on task force findings and local impacts before fully backing the measure.
The committee next approved HB 969, which shifts evaluation of school district mental health assistance programs to OPAGA and requires reports on outcomes and effectiveness; members stressed the need to know whether substantial mental health funding is improving student outcomes. HB 1191, which decriminalizes allowing children to travel to school, play outdoors, or stay home for reasonable periods and codifies current DCF policy, passed 16-0 with support framed around parental rights and child development. Finally, HB 1207, the Tristan Murphy Act, passed 15-0 and would expand mental health diversion and treatment options, including training for first responders, a forensic hospital diversion pilot, a behavioral health data repository, and additional evaluation requirements before inmate work assignments. The meeting adjourned after all agenda bills were reported favorably.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Joint Legislative Budget Hearings (PM) Feb 6th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- through the SNAP program. ...people each year through the SNAP program.
- You will see down there at the bottom the jobs program, which goes hand in hand with the TANF program
- The ILP program is a really important program to us in the Child Welfare arena. program to us in the
- programs...
- So, they... the program.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - Part 2 - 04/02/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:32:13.559>
to licensure preparation programming to licensure preparation programming to - before you offers a wide range of programs and services, including food programming, career services
- sustain their career pathway program sustain their career pathway program which<01:09:29.560>
- I'm the program director for the MABL Law School Pathways program.
- Services Program and this is a program Services Program and this is a program that<01:25:59.639>
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 on Public Safety Apr 7th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Specialized programs include academic, vocational programming, substance abuse programming, preforestry
- DRP's programs also extend into the community pre-release, such as the female community reentry programs
- , volunteer programs to academic programs.
- programs.
- CTE programs.
Summary:
The hearing focused first on sexual abuse, harassment, and retaliation in California’s women’s prisons, with testimony from CDCR wardens, the Office of Inspector General, advocacy groups, and formerly incarcerated survivors. Legislators and witnesses described a pattern of staff misconduct, fear of retaliation, gaps in reporting, and the need for stronger accountability, better investigations, and more outside access for survivor support organizations. CDCR said it has expanded training, body-worn and stationary cameras, outside partnerships, and PREA-related response procedures, while the Inspector General requested additional funding and staff to monitor more grievances and staff sexual misconduct cases under SB 1069. Members pressed CDCR on why accused staff are not always placed on leave, how cases are referred to prosecutors, and whether current protections are enough; several members argued the state should aim to investigate all complaints and do more to prevent retaliation and repeat abuse.
The second issue was rehabilitative and reentry programming in women’s prisons. CDCR’s Division of Rehabilitative Programs and the wardens highlighted education, vocational training, substance use treatment, peer support, and community reentry programs, citing increased enrollment and recent graduates earning diplomas, degrees, and certifications. They said these programs are intended to reduce recidivism and improve public safety. Formerly incarcerated advocates and community providers argued that current offerings are still too limited, outdated, and not aligned with today’s job market, especially around digital literacy and transferable credentials, and they urged more funding for community-based, trauma-informed, gender-responsive programming. A coalition representative asked for a $20 million continuation and expansion of the Wright Grant program, and members discussed additional budget requests for reentry and related women’s services.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 3 on Health and Human Services May 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- programs that are ongoing programs?
- Are they limited programs? It's a mix of programming.
- Or are these programs, so are these long-term programs, majority of them? Yeah.
- Or are these programs, so are these long-term programs, majority of them? Yeah.
- or existing programs.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 4/1/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a great program.
- and program there's also a great program and program there's also a great program that<00:35:37.560
- >
program <00:36:12.000>thank about this program thank about this program thank you<00: - grant programs here.
- Youth Program as part of the program.
Keywords:
child care, grants, appropriation, workforce development, families, YWCA Minneapolis, job training, child development, economic assistance, WomenVenture, economic development, entrepreneurship, women entrepreneurs, business training, financial support, youth programs, funding, employment, Minnesota, American Indian
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE Feb 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- and the state program and how much funding was in that program, because we are looking at the methodology
- Are there any changes to the home visiting programs, the HIPPY program maybe even specifically?
- going to an ABC program.
- And so do you see the HIPPY program or programs like the home visiting ...see the HIPPY program or programs
- It is a great program.
Summary:
The committee met to review the minutes and then held a workshop-style discussion with Arkansas Department of Education early childhood officials about the state’s early learning programs, funding, and access. Officials explained that the state-funded ABC program has been largely flat for years, rising from $11 million to about $14 million in 2018, while the federally funded SRA/CCDF side is much larger. They described differences between the programs, including ABC’s 10-month school-year structure, current enrollment of about 23,000 children in ABC and about 14,871 in SRA, and a SRA wait list that has grown to roughly 2,971 children. Members raised concerns about rural access, school-based versus community-based providers, reimbursement rates, and the need to align early childhood funding with K-12 and kindergarten readiness goals.
A major topic was the recent $14.741 million PDG B-5 competitive grant. Officials said it is a one-year systems-building grant, not a direct services grant, and will support local leads, CLASS observations, workforce efforts, and data systems while helping offset some costs that otherwise would have been paid through CCDF. Members also discussed the end of a federal pre-K funding stream in June, with children either moving into ABC slots or requalifying for SRA, and the state’s new enrollment-based payment approach, which officials said saved about $576,000. The committee also heard that the current cost-of-care study is about three years old and that a new market-rate survey is being planned.
Several members questioned dual enrollment in home visiting/HIPPY and ABC, with officials saying about 1,200 children are enrolled in both and that limiting double enrollment could save about $2.4 million and affect roughly 470 children. Members also asked about provider closures after rate changes; officials said eight providers cited funding as a reason for closing, while 26 new providers have been added under the new rates. The discussion ended with broad agreement that the committee should continue regular updates, keep providers and families informed, and explore policy changes, waivers, and possible state investments to improve stability, access, and quality in early childhood education.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Health Policy Feb 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- AND OFTEN ACCREDITATION AN ACCREDITED RESIDENCY PROGRAM IN PSYCHIATRY IS A FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM IN CLINICAL
- THE ACUTE HOSPITAL AT HOME PROGRAM DIRECT THE AGENCY TO HAVE FEDERAL DIRECTION OF THIS PROGRAM WHICH
- >> >> Chair Burton: IF YOU HAVE IT YOUR RECOGNIZED. >> WITH THE MRT PROGRAM IS THAT THE RESIDENCY PROGRAM
- YOU ALL SPOKE ABOUT THE FRAME PROGRAM AND YOU SPOKE ABOUT THE TEACH PROGRAM AND WHAT THOSE DOLLARS HAVE
- AND FOR THE DENTAL LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Health Services (1-9-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- payment program, and this program allows Kentucky Medicaid to draw down additional federal funds at
- the hospital rate Improvement program the hospital rate Improvement program which<00:26:44.600><
- allows payment program and this program allows payment program and this program allows Kentucky<
- program.
- program.
Keywords:
00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call
00:16 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations
25:49 Discussion of Hospital Rate Improvement Plan
58:50 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The committee began by reviewing a large slate of administrative regulations and explaining that it does not approve regulations but can find them deficient and send them back for further work. Members then asked questions on several items, including EMS reciprocity, dental hygienist licensure, and interpreter licensure. The EMS board explained that reciprocity would extend to applicants from any state, not just contiguous states, because the underlying statute had been amended. On the dental regulation, staff said the changes mainly clarified licensure requirements, reinstatement fees, and that dental hygienists administering local anesthetic must do so under direct dentist supervision.
The most extended discussion involved the Board of Interpreters for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The board chair said the main concern was that the EIPA is an educational specialty assessment, not a nationally recognized certification, yet the regulation would allow it to support full licensure. Members discussed whether that could let educational interpreters work outside their intended scope and whether a separate educational license or statutory change would be more appropriate. The board said it did not think the regulation could be fixed further at this point and suggested a statute could create a narrower educational interpreter license. After discussion, the committee voted to defer both related interpreter regulations, 201 KAR 39:030 and the companion regulation, for further work.
The committee then took up two community mental health regulations, 907 KAR 1:044 and 907 KAR 5:005, which had been found deficient in Administrative Regulations. Department for Medicaid Services staff said the rules would expand and rename the mental health associate role as a behavioral health associate, making the role available in many more facilities, but would also require additional coursework or progress toward licensure. Some members and providers raised access-to-care concerns, especially for rural areas and unlicensed staff already working in the field. Staff said the proposal had been revised through work with CMHCs and licensing boards, but the committee ultimately voted to defer both regulations as well.
After finishing the regulation review, the committee heard a presentation from the Kentucky Hospital Association on the ATRIP hospital rate improvement program. Hospital representatives said ATRIP is a Medicaid state-directed payment program funded through a provider tax and federal matching dollars, allowing hospitals to receive payments tied to quality measures. They reported improvements including lower Medicaid readmissions, high sepsis screening rates, reduced infections and opioid prescribing, expanded postpartum depression and suicide screening, and training for more than 1,000 people. They said the program has helped hospitals invest in staffing and quality improvement and warned that without it, many hospitals would face severe financial strain.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 3/27/25
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- , and because the State Grant program interrelates with the North Star Promise program, we're just going
- <00:09:43.360>
is <00:09:43.720>49.5 program is 49.5 program is 49.5 million<00:09:46.760 - <00:10:10.320>
that last dollar scholarship program that last dollar scholarship program that - 2026 relative to the state grant program 2026 relative to the state grant program so<00:18:52.520
- Demand on the state grant program Demand on the state grant program they're<00:20:55.960>
only
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Institutions Committee Jun 18th, 2026
Higher Education Institutions Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- programs: sonography.
- low completion programs.
- But collapsing programs in like CIP codes, we've also identified new programs.
- programs are viable.
- , and then increasing our professional exchange program, or PSEP, program by $300,000.
Summary:
The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort.
Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment.
The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appr/Sub-Education REVISED Jan 13th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- to that program.
- Program, so this is to offer them a business program where they may come in there for an hour at a time
- that's what it costs per program.
- pilot program, a program designed to support math understanding in the upper grades and to add math
- program.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- The TEACH program.
- The KidCare program—Title XXI is a CHIP program, Title XIX for Medicaid for children—those two programs
- from the program for failure to pay premiums. ...to a core component of the program and the disenrollment
- entities to implement new health care screening or service programs, or to expand existing programs
- And back to the question I started two presentations ago, the dental program and the FRAM program.
Summary:
The committee opened with roll call, welcomed members back for the first committee weeks, and heard brief personal updates from several senators before moving into agency implementation updates on recently enacted health care laws. The Agency for Health Care Administration reported on Senate Bill 64 creating rural emergency hospitals, explaining that AHCA adopted the required rules effective June 1, 2025, but that no hospitals have yet been designated. Members asked about possible hospital conversions, accreditation and survey responsibilities, and whether Florida would apply for federal rural health transformation funding; AHCA said it intends to apply and has already been working on the issue with federal officials.
AHCA also reviewed the non-emergent care access plan requirement under Senate Bill 7016. The agency said hospitals with emergency departments must submit plans that help redirect non-emergent patients to appropriate care settings while complying with EMTALA, and that 83 plans had been received and 63 approved as of September 30. Members asked about data collection, managed care coordination, and the state’s health information exchange; AHCA said it has moved to a new HIE vendor and will continue monitoring implementation and possible care gaps. AHCA then updated the committee on the TEACH program, saying $6.8 million was spent in 2024-25 across 59 parent organizations and 229 facilities, with more than 1,800 students and nearly 380,000 clinical hours reimbursed. The agency said rulemaking is nearly complete, a new nursing student category and expanded facility eligibility were added, and a federal 1115 workforce waiver remains stalled after CMS signaled it will not approve new workforce demonstrations. AHCA also reviewed House Bill 121 on KidCare eligibility, explaining that implementation of the 300% poverty-level expansion remains blocked by federal litigation and waiver issues tied to premium nonpayment rules; members and public speakers urged action to close the coverage gap.
Public testimony on AHCA’s presentation came from representatives of health centers and advocacy groups, who said the non-emergent care access plan has improved hospital-health center coordination and reduced repeat emergency use, and who urged implementation of KidCare expansion for children in the coverage gap. The Department of Health then presented updates on FRAM, the Sanadi screening grant program, the Health Care Innovation Revolving Loan Program, telehealth maternity care, swimming lesson vouchers, and House Bill 159 on pharmacist dispensing of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis. DOH reported strong participation in FRAM and the telehealth maternity program, 24 Sanadi grant awards in 42 counties, 4,945 swimming lesson vouchers issued last year and 2,371 so far this year, and three approved certification courses with five pharmacist certifications issued under HB 159. Committee members asked about recruitment of dentists and other providers, telehealth maternity outcomes, and why participation in the maternity program remains below expected levels; DOH said outreach and regional referral networks are expanding and more detailed outcome data will be included in the upcoming legislative report.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE Feb 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- and the state program and how much funding was in that program, because we are looking at the methodology
- Are there any changes to the home visiting programs, the hippie program, even specifically?
- going to an ABC program.
- Do you see the HIPPY program, or programs like the home visiting type of programs, expanding upon that
- It is a great program.
Summary:
The committee met to review early childhood education funding, access, and program sustainability, with Secretary Aleva and Director Ashland Abney providing updates on Arkansas’s ABC state-funded preschool program and the federal CCDF/SRA program. Members discussed the long-standing flat funding for ABC, which rose from $11 million to $14 million in 2018, compared with roughly $137 million in federal CCDF/SRA funding. Officials said ABC serves about 23,000 children, while SRA serves about 14,871 children and has a wait list of about 2,971 children. Members also asked for more data on rural versus urban access, provider types, and the number of slots and providers by region.
A major topic was how to improve quality and access while aligning early childhood with K-12. Officials said the department is moving from the Better Beginnings environmental rating system toward CLASS observations, using local leads and a kindergarten-readiness strategy tied to quality improvement. Members raised concerns about deserts and islands in service availability, the cost of school-based versus community-based providers, and the need to support infant-toddler care as well as preschool. The commissioner said early learning should be part of long-term state education investment, but that simply adding money would not solve access gaps without broader structural changes.
The committee also discussed recent funding changes and their effects on providers and families. Officials said a $14.741 million PDG-BFV competitive grant will support systems-building work, including local leads, workforce, data systems, and third-party CLASS observations, but it is a one-year grant and not direct service funding. Members questioned the impact of new co-pays, provider closures, and slot reallocations; officials said eight closures were tied specifically to funding changes, and that paying only for enrolled children rather than allocated slots saved about $576,000. They also discussed dual enrollment in home visiting and ABC, with officials estimating that limiting double enrollment could save about $2.4 million and potentially serve about 470 more children. The meeting ended with agreement to continue regular updates and further discussion, and the committee adjourned without a vote on legislation.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 3/24/26
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- program as well as other um various program as well as other um various programs<00:19:10.080>
that - The Minnesota State Grant Program is our state's largest financial need program.
- state grant program. state grant program.
- talked about to the work study program. talked about to the work study program.
- <01:37:36.000>
Uh affected programs. I don't have that. Uh affected programs.
Keywords:
firearms, guns, gun rights, gun control, campus safety, public college, university, postsecondary institution, higher education, visitor carry, concealed carry, open carry, campus policy, Minnesota Statutes 624.714, petty misdemeanor, parking lot carry, firearm possession, public safety, college campus, student carry
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- This particular bill, House File 2121, is for a program that would support the ambassador program that
- >
useful <00:40:07.200>in so this type of program is useful in so this type of program - <01:04:18.400>
I um uh before I starting the program I um uh before I starting the program - program I wouldn't be um a 49er right program I wouldn't be um a 49er right now<01:05:47.720>
and - program I think there's a grant program program I think there's a grant program women<01:14:40.679
Keywords:
HF339, Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board, nursing homes, long-term care, elder care, workforce standards, certified worker organizations, labor funding, general fund appropriation, worker grants, Minnesota labor law, nursing home staffing, caregiver workforce, section 181.214, HF1272, nursing home, boarding care home, nursing home workers, labor standards, Medicaid-certified facility
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We also, as you're probably familiar, do have our Get Ready program, which is a Gear Up-funded program
- Gear Up dollars and this is a program Gear Up dollars and this is a program that's<00:07:09.639>
- of program design.
- of the wraparound goals of the program of the wraparound goals of the program are<00:32:13.960><
- Centers uh Alternative Learning programs Centers uh Alternative Learning programs District<00:37
Summary:
The committee received an informational presentation from the Office of Higher Education on college access efforts, with a focus on FAFSA outreach, the Get Ready program, and Direct Admissions Minnesota. Wendy Robinson said OHE’s role is to provide nonpartisan information, partner with K-12, colleges, and community groups, and use statewide programs to expand awareness of higher education options and financial aid. She highlighted outreach through brochures, virtual sessions, conferences, the State Fair, and events serving specific populations, as well as the Lumina-funded Connect College grant and the federally funded Get Ready program, which serves about 7,500 low-income students across 14 capacity-building schools and 28 additional schools with tutoring, college visits, application help, and financial aid support. A member asked for demographic data on Get Ready students, and staff said they would provide it later.
Robinson also reviewed FAFSA outreach, noting that last year was especially difficult for students because of federal FAFSA problems. OHE’s Ready Set FAFSA sessions drew 1,300 unique registrations in October and 939 in January, and the agency continued training K-12 and college staff on state aid programs, FAFSA simplification, and implementation of North Star Promise. OHE said it also held FAFSA completion events with partners, including at the State Fair, and planned another financial aid event in Duluth.
The bulk of the presentation covered Direct Admissions Minnesota. Robinson said the program is now in its fourth year, with 55 participating colleges and universities and 182 participating high schools in the third cohort, serving just over 32,000 students. She described the program as a broad, collaborative model that sends students letters listing colleges that would admit them based on junior-year performance, while preserving student choice and waiving application fees for participating schools. She said the program is intended to reduce anxiety about admissions, encourage FAFSA completion, and keep more Minnesota students in-state.
Robinson previewed second-year data showing continued positive outcomes, including higher FAFSA completion, increased college enrollment, and more students staying in Minnesota. Participation increased among students eligible for free and reduced lunch, rising from 21% in the first year to 40% in the second year. She noted a continuing concern about American Indian and Alaska Native students, whose FAFSA completion declined and whose participation numbers were lower in the newest cohort, and said the agency would continue to study that data. She also said some of the increase in free-and-reduced-lunch participation may reflect the impact of North Star Promise and related financial aid messaging. No votes or formal actions were taken.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services Apr 15th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- THIS IS AN OPT IN PROGRAM.
- TO BE IN THIS PROGRAM.
- BOTH LPN AND RN PROGRAMS THAT ARE GOING TO PASS AND STUDENTS WHO FINISH THESE PROGRAMS WILL BE ABLE
- ACROSS THE STATE THEY CAN EVALUATE THAT PROGRAM AND SEE IS THAT PROGRAM GETTING A 40 PERCENT PASSAGE
- I WILL USE PN PROGRAMS. THERE ARE 44 PERCENT OF FLORIDA'S PN PROGRAMS BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.