Tiburcio announces $500,000 in PCCD VIP/BOOST grant for Allentown violence-prevention program
Rep. Ana Tiburcio April 17, 2026 | 12:50 PM
ALLENTOWN, April 17 – Today, state Rep. Ana T. Tiburcio, D-Lehigh, announced that Communities in Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania received $500,000 in grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s School Safety and Security Committee.
These grants are awarded to violence-prevention programs. The funding will grow their advocacy efforts.
“I worked for youth empowerment organizations in Allentown before I took office, and it remains one of my greatest priorities as a state representative,” Tiburcio said. “This funding supports mentorship, prevention strategies, increased opportunities and mental health support. It ensures that this vital organization can expand its programs to reach more at-risk youth, support their staff and provide life-changing services for years to come.”
A total of $500,000 was awarded to CISEPA to continue providing school-based prevention services for approximately 5,800 students each year. Services include individualized case management, goal setting, attendance and behavior interventions, mental-health and social-service referrals, and school-wide prevention activities aligned with positive climate, engagement and safety goals. Through these services, CISEPA’s mission is to reduce early-warning indicators before they escalate into more serious safety concerns.
Tiburcio added, “As their former Program Coordinator, I am also thrilled that $119,000 was awarded to Fine Feathered Foundation Inc., a nonprofit empowering youth through creativity, education and mentorship.”
These grants are provided by PCCD’s Violence Intervention and Prevention and the Building Opportunities Through Out-Of-School Time programs.