HARRISBURG, PA — Nonpublic schools, municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and approved school security providers across Pennsylvania can now apply for $20.7 million in state funding aimed at strengthening school safety, expanding mental health services, and enhancing on-campus security, according to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
The funding is available through PCCD’s Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools Program, which supports efforts to address school violence, improve student mental health, and cover costs associated with training and compensating school security personnel.
“Promoting safer schools and communities is a core part of PCCD’s mission,” said Kirsten Kenyon, executive director of the commission. “By maintaining funding for the Targeted School Safety Grants funding in this year’s budget, we’re continuing to support Pennsylvania schools in creating more secure and supportive learning environments for students. I strongly encourage eligible applicants to submit proposals to take advantage of this funding.”
The funding was authorized under the fiscal year 2025–26 state budget signed by Josh Shapiro, which provided more than $120 million statewide for school safety, security, and mental health initiatives. In December 2025, PCCD released $100 million of that funding for public school entities. Since 2023, the commission has awarded more than $37 million through 370 Targeted School Safety grant awards.
Eligible nonpublic applicants include approved private schools, diocesan schools, licensed private academic schools, nonpublic or non-licensed schools, and private residential rehabilitation institutions. Municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and approved third-party school security personnel providers are also eligible to apply to support security services for public and nonpublic schools.
Applicants may request up to $75,000 over a two-year project period. Allowable uses include training and compensation for school police officers, school resource officers, and school security guards; safety and security assessments; counseling and trauma-informed mental health supports; suicide prevention programs; professional development focused on school safety and behavioral health; physical security enhancements; and resources to support behavioral threat assessment teams.
Applications must be submitted through PCCD’s Egrants System by Monday, March 30, 2026. Awards are expected to be approved by the commission’s School Safety and Security Committee in June 2026.
Additional information, including a pre-recorded informational webinar and supporting materials, will be posted on PCCD’s Active Funding Announcements webpage at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pccd/resources/active-funding-announcements. More details are available on PCCD’s School Safety & Security webpage at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/pccd/programs-and-services/school-safety-and-security.
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