Migrant and Seasonal Worker Program

The New York State Department of Health, through its Office of Health Equity and Human Rights, has issued a Request for Applications for the Migrant and Seasonal Worker Program. This funding opportunity is supported by both state and federal funds and is designed to improve access to health and social services for migrant and seasonal workers and their families across New York State. The Department emphasizes a commitment to health equity, defined as ensuring all individuals have a fair opportunity to achieve optimal health regardless of social or geographic factors. The program is structured to maintain and strengthen existing service capacity for this population, which includes individuals employed in agriculture or other seasonal work who often establish temporary residences for employment. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support public and not-for-profit community-based health and human service organizations that have demonstrated experience and ties to migrant and seasonal worker communities. The program is divided into two components: one focused on delivering services to workers and their families in specific economic development regions, and another focused on children of migrant and seasonal workers statewide. Services funded under this program include primary and preventive healthcare, health education, outreach, screening, and enabling services such as translation and transportation. These services must be culturally and linguistically appropriate and tailored to the unique lifestyle and occupational realities of the target population. Funding totals approximately 1,405,724 dollars over a four-year contract period, with an annual allocation of about 351,431 dollars distributed across multiple awards. Up to four awards are anticipated, including three regional awards under Component 1 and one statewide award under Component 2. Each region has a defined anticipated funding amount and required service population thresholds. Funds must be used to expand or create services and cannot supplant existing activities. Contracts are expected to run from May 1, 2027 through April 30, 2031, contingent on continued funding availability and satisfactory performance. Eligible applicants must be not-for-profit or public entities that are prequalified in the New York State Statewide Financial System and registered with the Secretary of State. Organizations must either be federally qualified health centers or demonstrate formal partnerships with such centers. Applicants must also attest to serving minimum population thresholds and demonstrate capacity to deliver services directly or through subcontracting arrangements. Subcontracting is allowed up to 75 percent of the work plan, but the lead organization retains full responsibility for program execution and compliance. The application process requires submission through the Statewide Financial System portal by the stated deadline. Applicants must complete a structured application including program summaries, statements of need, organizational capacity descriptions, health equity strategies, program activities, evaluation plans, and detailed budgets. Required attachments include organizational charts, memoranda of understanding where applicable, and compliance documentation such as vendor responsibility attestations. Applications are evaluated on a 100-point scale across multiple criteria including program design, organizational capacity, and budget justification. The review process involves a competitive evaluation by trained Department staff, with applications required to meet minimum eligibility criteria before scoring. A minimum score of 65 is required for funding consideration. Awards are made based on scoring, geographic considerations, and program alignment. In the event of tied scores, program activities and budget sections are used as tie-breakers. Applicants may request debriefings after award decisions, and unsuccessful applicants may reapply in future cycles if funding becomes available. Key dates for this funding opportunity include a release date of June 10, 2026, a question submission deadline of June 24, 2026, and an application submission deadline of July 22, 2026. Questions must be submitted via email and responses are published publicly. No letter of interest or applicant conference is required. Ongoing reporting requirements for awardees include quarterly and annual reports to monitor program effectiveness and ensure accountability.

Ensure strong alignment with health equity goals; clearly demonstrate capacity to serve target population; provide detailed and justified budget; follow all SFS submission requirements precisely