Harrisburg, PA - Pennsylvania schools and other eligible entities are now able to apply for grant funding for physical security upgrades and to strengthen behavioral health supports through two new school safety grant solicitations from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s (PCCD) School Safety and Security Committee.
The Shapiro-Davis Administration has made it a priority to invest in student mental health and safety across the Commonwealth—from Governor Shapiro’s roundtable at Iroquois Junior and Senior High School in Erie County to Lt. Gov. Davis’ roundtable at South Fayette High School in Allegheny County— the Administration has traveled across the state to hear firsthand about their mental health challenges ensuring that they are recognized at the state level.
“I’ve listened to our kids as they’ve told me about their mental health struggles – and I’m proud that our 2024-25 bipartisan state budget includes real help for students all across Pennsylvania,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “The resources secured in this year’s budget will give students better access to mental health supports and ensure that schools can upgrade technology and security measures to protect students, staff, and visitors. My Administration will continue to bring people together to get stuff done to solve problems and address the needs I hear from folks across our Commonwealth.”
“Our kids can’t focus on learning if we aren’t meeting the basic need for safety within the walls of their schools and making sure students are in a positive mental and emotional space,” said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, chair of PCCD and the School Safety and Security Committee. “The Shapiro-Davis 2024-25 budget shows our commitment to making sure our schools have the resources they need to keep their facilities secure from threats and provide the mental health services and support that our kids need.”
The School Safety and Security Committee approved a funding framework to utilize nearly $120 million in state school safety funding, secured by the Shapiro-Davis Administration in the 2024-25 budget, which includes:
- $100 million for noncompetitive FY24-25 School Safety & Mental Health Grants for eligible school entities to meet both physical security and behavioral health needs. Funding is distributed via formula grants to all school districts, charter schools, area career and technical centers, and intermediate units in the Commonwealth.
- $19.7 million for competitive FY24-25 Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools to support programs addressing school violence and improving school safety and security. Municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and approved security vendors are also eligible to apply to support school security personnel services in all Pennsylvania schools.
Funds will advance the School Safety and Security Committee’s goal of ensuring that all Pennsylvania students can learn in safe, healthy school environments by helping school entities address basic safety needs and mental health services identified in the Committee’s Revised Baseline Criteria Standards. Public schools are required to use grant funding to address ‘Level 1’ Behavioral Health Baseline Criteria gaps, and priority consideration will be given to applicants who request funding to address Physical Security and Behavioral Health Baseline needs in competitive applications.
Eligible applicants can find information about each of these solicitations, including eligibility criteria and application instructions, on PCCD’s School Safety and Security webpage. PCCD staff will also host informational webinars and provide other resources to assist school entities and eligible applicants as they navigate these funding opportunities.
The seven-week application period for the competitive FY 24-25 Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools solicitation will close on Thursday, September 26, 2024. Noncompetitive, formula-based awards will be awarded on a rolling basis as applications are accepted by the agency and competitive awards are expected to be announced in November 2024.
Questions regarding the School Safety and Security Grant Program can be sent to PCCD staff at RA-CD-SSSC@pa.gov or by visiting PCCD’s School Safety and Security webpage.
MEDIA CONTACT: Ali Gantz - algantz@pa.gov
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