HARRISBURG – Schools and community groups can apply now for grants to help boost school safety and reduce the risk of community violence, according to Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46).
The School Safety and Security Grant Program provides grants to school districts, intermediate units, area vocational-technical schools, charter schools and private residential rehabilitative institutions for a wide variety of projects to improve school safety.
The grants fund projects including 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.
A total of $18.72 million will be distributed to all schools that submit a qualifying application, and an additional $33.78 million in grants will be awarded on a competitive basis.
“Our young people deserve to have a safe environment at school where they can learn and grow as individuals,” Bartolotta said. “Restoring the funding for this program in the state budget was one of my highest priorities. I strongly encourage our local schools to take advantage of the resources this program provides to ensure students can learn in a more secure environment.”
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 program was updated in June to include an emphasis on trauma-informed education and support services to help students who have experienced distressing events and life circumstances.
The grant program is administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).
The application period for grants is open now through November 4. More details about the program are available at the PCCD School Safety and Security webpage.
CONTACT: Katrina Hanna (717) 787-1463