NY S04959

Amends mental hygiene law to require the commissioner of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities to work with state and city university boards to establish a direct service professional credit and career ladder tuition assistance grant program.

Authorizes state and city university boards to establish grant programs at community colleges to develop training programs for direct support professionals working with individuals with developmental disabilities.

Establishes a tuition assistance grant program providing up to 50 percent of tuition costs for direct support professionals employed by funded agencies who enroll at least part-time at state-operated community colleges.

Requires certified provider agencies employing direct support professionals to reimburse community colleges for one-half of the training or tuition costs upon successful program completion.

Takes effect immediately and applies to academic semesters, quarters and classroom hours beginning January 1, 2025.