HARRISBURG – Senators Scott Martin (R-13) and Ryan Aument (R-36) are encouraging local municipalities, colleges and community organizations to apply for grants to boost safety and reduce the risk of violence.
The grants will be offered as part of a new law Martin and Aument supported to improve school safety and combat community violence. A total of $7.5 million will be awarded statewide during this fiscal year through June 30 to support community violence prevention programs. Martin was one of the prime sponsors of the law.
“School safety is an issue that affects the entire community, so we need to engage the entire community in finding solutions,” Martin said. “Improving the safety of students was one of the Senate’s highest priorities this year, and I am hopeful that these grants will help create a safer environment for young people – both inside and outside of the classroom.”
An additional $52.5 million in grants will be awarded to school districts to improve school safety throughout this fiscal year. The first round of these school safety grants was announced in October.
“Young people are our most precious resource, so our efforts to promote a secure learning environment for children cannot stop at the classroom door,” said Aument, who has served as Vice Chairman of the Senate Education Committee for the past four years. “This program holds the potential to help build the kind of lasting partnerships that will result in fewer violent incidents and safer neighborhoods.”
Eligible uses for the grants include mentoring services and other intervention services for at-risk children and families; promoting communication between school entities and law enforcement; linking the community with local trauma support and behavioral health systems; and other programs designed to reduce community violence.
Applications will be accepted until February 7, 2019.
Online applications and additional information about the grants are available on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s website at www.pccd.pa.gov under the School Safety and Security heading.
CONTACT: Terry Trego (717) 787-6535 (Senator Martin)
Ryan Boop (717) 787-4420 (Senator Aument)