Harrisburg, PA — Last week, the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s (PCCD) School Safety and Security Committee (SSSC) approved nearly $20 million in competitively awarded school safety grants for nonpublic schools and municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and approved security vendors supplying school security personnel services to schools.
“Our kids can’t focus on learning if we aren’t meeting the basic need for safety within the walls of their schools and making sure students’ mental health needs are met,” said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, chair of PCCD and the School Safety and Security Committee. “This program is more than funding—it’s about investing in the well-being of our kids and giving peace of mind to their families and school staff who are dedicated to helping them learn and grow. The Shapiro-Davis Administration is committed to helping schools create spaces where students feel protected, valued, and ready to learn."
View a full list of awards, including dollar amount, and entities approved for funding, on PCCD’s School Safety and Security webpage.
Here’s what elected officials are saying:
Sen. Dave Argall:
“Since I chaired 10 roundtable discussions of the Senate Majority Policy Committee to protect our students and teachers, Pennsylvania has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in school safety measures. I’m thankful these grants will help our local schools.”
Rep. Leslie Rossi:
“Ensuring the safety of our students and teachers is a top priority. These grants will help local schools strengthen security, improve mental health resources and create a safer learning environment for students. Every child deserves to feel safe and supported in school.”
Rep. Jim Rigby:
“I am glad to see several schools in the 71st District receive these grant dollars. Making sure our students are safe and have strong mental health support will improve the quality of their education. This funding will be put to good use and help our students achieve their potential in school and beyond.”
Rep. Lindsay Powell:
“Our students deserve to be and feel safe in schools. These dollars are tremendous investments in their safety and success. It’s an honor to advocate for their needs as a state representative, and I will continue to support all of our students in our communities.”
Rep. Dan Frankel:
“Even as we work toward a world where children can learn without fear of gun violence, we must also do everything we can to make sure educational settings are as secure as possible. Thanks to this new funding, our schools will have the resources needed to maintain the security equipment, personnel, training, mental health supports and other elements that go into building a safe and supportive learning environment.”
Rep. Marci Mustello:
“These grants are a vital investment in the safety and well-being of our students and educators. Ensuring our schools have the resources to enhance security and provide mental health support is crucial to creating safer, more supportive learning environments for students across the Butler County.”
Learn more about how the $120 million school safety grants package in the Shapiro-Davis FY 2024-25 budget will help Pennsylvania’s public and private K-12 schools boost physical security and mental health supports for students:
Penn Capital-Star: Pennsylvania awards $120 million in school-based mental health and safety grants
WTAJ: Central Pennsylvania schools awarded safety, mental health grants
Indiana Gazette: PCCD approves safety, mental health grants for schools across the region
The Keystone: Shapiro administration distributes $120 million for school safety and mental health support
Clearfield Progress: Local nonpublic schools receive state funding for safety, mental health supports
Butler Eagle: Butler schools get safety, mental health grants
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Area schools net $3.5M in safety and mental health grants
CNHI News: Pa. finishes rollout of $120M for school safety, security, behavioral health
WETM: Tioga County, Pa to receive over $430K in school safety, mental health grants
Morning Times: Nine schools in Bradford County obtain Pa. School Safety and Mental Health Grants