HARRISBURG, PA — In a significant move to bolster school safety and provide comprehensive mental health supports, the School Safety and Security Committee (SSSC) under the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has distributed $47 million in competitive grants. This latest funding initiative rounds off the $155 million school safety grants program, a key component of the bipartisan 2023-24 budget aimed at protecting students and staff across the Commonwealth.
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, chair of both the PCCD and the SSSC, emphasized the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and mental health provisions in schools, reflecting the administration’s dedication to addressing the multifaceted challenges facing educational institutions today. “Our kids are facing so many pressures, and our schools are dealing with significant challenges,” Davis said, underscoring the commitment to ensuring schools have the necessary resources to safeguard facilities and support students’ mental well-being.
The $155 million allocation draws from both federal and state funds, earmarked for various aspects of school safety and student mental health. The breakdown of the funding includes:
- Noncompetitive School Mental Health Grants: A substantial $90 million has been dedicated to supporting school-based mental and behavioral health supports. This program targets school districts, charter schools, career and technical centers, and intermediate units, focusing on enhancing the availability of counselors and mental health resources for students.
- Formula-Based School Safety and Security Meritorious Grants: Every Pennsylvania school district benefits from a share of the $18.6 million grant program, intended for physical security enhancements and addressing mental or behavioral health needs.
- Competitive School Safety and Security Grants: With $32.2 million available, this program supports physical security improvements, behavioral health resources, and school security personnel needs. It is open to eligible school entities as well as municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and approved vendors.
- Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools: To ensure inclusivity, $14.5 million has been allocated to support safety and security programs in nonpublic schools, administered through Intermediate Units (IUs) and approved vendors.
This comprehensive funding effort reflects Pennsylvania’s proactive stance on two critical fronts: fortifying physical security to protect against external threats and enhancing mental health services to address the internal challenges students face. By equipping schools with the financial resources to undertake these initiatives, the state aims to create a safer and more supportive learning environment for all students.
The distribution of these grants marks a pivotal moment in Pennsylvania’s approach to school safety, combining the physical aspects of security with the equally vital component of mental health support. This dual focus not only aims to shield students and faculty from harm but also to foster an atmosphere where mental well-being is prioritized, addressing the root causes of many safety concerns in educational settings.
The full list of awards, detailing the dollar amounts and specific school entities that have received funding, is available on the PCCD’s School Safety and Security webpage, providing insight into the allocation of these critical resources.
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