Burns: $155 million in grants available to schools for safety and security
Rep. Frank Burns January 23, 2024 | 10:07 AM
EBENSBURG, Jan. 23 – Schools of all types should investigate a handful of grant programs with open application windows through the end of February, according to state Rep. Frank Burns.
Burns said the grant programs are being offered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for school safety and security.
“I urge anyone and everyone who thinks they may be eligible to apply, because you’ll never know unless you try,” Burns said. “That’s why I’ve consistently touted these grant opportunities as a way to have more of your tax dollars returned to our communities. And don’t forget -- my offices can help you apply.”
For the past number of years, Burns has made a priority of informing and encouraging government, nonprofit and other eligible entities to apply for available grants.
More than $155 million in total is available with these four grant programs:
- School Safety and Security Grant Program – for school districts, intermediate units, career and technical schools, charter and cyber charter schools and private schools. Grants may be used for programs that address school safety and security, such as conflict resolution, positive behavior support, peer help programs and more.
- School Mental Health Grants – for school districts, intermediate units, career and technical schools, and charter and cyber charter schools. Grants may be used for programs addressing safety and security, such as risk assessment, counseling services, staff training, trauma-informed approaches to education and more.
- School District Meritorious Grants -- for school districts to support the physical security or behavioral health needs of students, such as safety and security assessments, student codes of conduct, security planning and purchase of security-related technology, staff training and related costs, and for school resource officers.
- School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools -- to fund programs that address school mental health, school violence or enhance school security.
These programs are open through Feb. 29. For more information and to see a more complete list of grant programs that are currently open, visit Burns’ website here. Information on these four specific programs may be found here.