Schools and community groups can apply now through November 4 for grants to help boost school safety and reduce the risk of community violence, according to Senator Dan Laughlin.
The School Safety and Security Grant Program supports efforts by school districts, intermediate units, area vocational-technical schools, charter schools and private residential rehabilitative institutions to improve school safety.
These efforts include hiring school security officers, purchasing security-related technology, completing safety and security assessments, implementing violence prevention curricula, offering counseling services for students, and creating other programs to protect students.
“We need to be proactive because school safety is an issue that we — legislators, law enforcement and the community — must work together to improve,” said Senator Laughlin. “These grants recognize that every school district has its own unique characteristics and different needs, but the bottom line is we all want what is best for our children. I encourage all local schools and eligible community organizations apply for this important funding.”
A total of $18.72 million will be distributed among all schools that submit a qualifying application and $33.78 million will be awarded on a competitive basis.
An additional $7.5 million will be awarded to improve community safety and reduce the risk of violence through projects including mentoring and intervention for at-risk children and families; promoting communication between school entities and law enforcement; linking the community with local trauma support and behavioral health systems; and other programs designed to reduce community violence.
The grant program is administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).
More details about the program are available at the PCCD School Safety and Security webpage.
Contact: Matt Azeles mazeles@pasen.gov