By Ashley Schultz
Our August issue of FUNDED Magazine outlined more than 15 states with grants exclusively dedicated to school safety. Most of these programs were brand new in 2018 – spurred, in large part, by the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and the subsequent March for Our Lives rally in Washington D.C.
In response to overwhelming positive feedback given by you – our readers – to this previous article, we’ve compiled a companion list of (new or pending) grant funding for an additional 15 states below.
Don’t see your State on this list or its companion piece from our last issue? Don’t fret! We expect even more states follow suit in the coming years. While you wait, check out the Department of Education or Department of Justice websites for other federal program offerings that may arise. You may even consider contacting your State Administering Agency (SAA) for information on school safety funding coming down the pike for your area.
Current State Grant Programs –
· Colorado - The CO Department of Public Safety announced two new funding opportunities - the School Access for Emergency Response (SAFER) Program and the School Security Disbursement Program - to support capital construction projects and equipment purchases. See more at http://grantsoffice.com/GrantDetails.aspx?gid=55033 and http://grantsoffice.com/GrantDetails.aspx?gid=55034.
· Delaware - The DE Department of Education’s School Safety and Security Fund supports improvements to school facilities and hazard training for district staff. See more at: http://grantsoffice.com/GrantDetails.aspx?gid=55069.
· Kansas - The KS State Department of Education’s’ School Safety and Security Grants supports the purchase of doors, windows, security cameras, intercoms and other school safety improvements. See more at: http://grantsoffice.com/GrantDetails.aspx?gid=55070.
· Maryland - The MD State Department of Education’s Safe Schools Fund supports the purchase of school safety technology – in addition to hiring school resource officers and counselors. See more at: http://grantsoffice.com/GrantDetails.aspx?gid=54885.
· New Mexico - The NM Public School Facilities Authority supports capital construction costs. Up to $10 million of this program will be dedicated to school safety projects from 2019 through 2021. See more at: http://grantsoffice.com/GrantDetails.aspx?gid=55068.
· North Carolina - The NC Department of Public Instruction’s Grants for School Security Program supports the purchase of safety technology – in addition to hiring school resource officers and mental health professionals. See more at: http://grantsoffice.com/GrantDetails.aspx?gid=54933.
· Pennsylvania - The PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s School Safety and Security Grant Program supports school safety initiatives in public, private, and charter schools. See more at: https://upstream.grantsoffice.com/GrantDetails.aspx?gid=55046.
· Rhode Island - The RI Department of Education’s School Building Authority (SBA) Fund supports high priority repairs and school safety projects that will improve the wellbeing of students. See more at: http://grantsoffice.com/GrantDetails.aspx?gid=54803.
· Vermont – The VT Department of Public Safety’s School Safety Infrastructure Fund supports construction and/or technology purchases that will enhance security. See more at: http://grantsoffice.com/GrantDetails.aspx?gid=54716.
Pending State Grant Programs –
· Alabama – The State is currently reviewing recommendations from the Governor’s Securing Alabama’s Facilities of Education (SAFE) Council. The report focused on improvements in physical security, threat assessments, mental health, and coordinated training initiatives. See more at: http://bit.ly/2NOKcRw.
· Arkansas – The State School Safety Commission is evaluating school designs, security policies, emergency policies, school counseling, and mental health issues for the Governor. A full report is due by November 30th. See more at: http://bit.ly/2NJlDp3.
· California – The State is awaiting Governor approval of three new bills, including one that requires school improvement projects to include funding for door lock improvements. See more at: http://bit.ly/2xbLbSg.
· Nevada – The Statewide School Safety Task Force will recommended actions that can be taken to improve school safety by November 30th. This may include budgetary action needed to enact the recommendations of the group. See more at: http://bit.ly/2CYRs9l.
· Ohio – The State has called for a review of school security measures – in addition to a budgetary allocation of $12 million for school safety training grants. Further action is anticipated in the Fall legislative session. See more at: http://bit.ly/2NbEk5n.
· Texas – The State Senate Committee on Violence in Schools and School Security presented a report in August that recommends funding for enhanced physical security measures. This report has many similarities to the Governor’s School and Firearm Safety Action Plan released in May. See more at: http://bit.ly/2Ok4C24 and http://bit.ly/2xeYYqx.