Applications for the 2019-2020 School Safety and Security Grant Program are now open to schools and community groups, according to Senator David G. Argall (R-Schuylkill/Berks).
The Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Senator Argall, held 10 separate roundtable discussions regarding school safety in 2018. One of the recurring topics of these discussions was the need for proper funding to adequately address
safety concerns. “This program will go a long way to ensuring our schools are a safe and secure space for our children to learn, while not overburdening our taxpayers,” said Argall.
These grants are available for 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.
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.