Federal Government To Award $73 Million In Grants To Increase School Safety
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), a component of the U.S. Department of Justice, has announced that it is now accepting applications for the 2023 School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) grant.
This grant, which has a funding amount of $73 million and a maximum federal share of $500,000 per award, is at least a 25% local cash match over the three year duration of the award.
The application process is undertaken in two parts, with the first portion being due by May 10, 2023 with submissions to Grants.gov. The second portion/completed application must be received by May 17, 2023 in JustGrants Justice Grants System.
Who Can Apply
In an effort to ensure that students, faculty, and staff across the country are as safe as possible, the grant applications are open to States, units of local government, and Indian tribes. Law enforcement agencies, school districts, and school boards (for elementary and secondary schools) are eligible to apply for the grant. Additionally, the award recipients may designate their funds to – or contract with – local education agencies, non-profit organizations (excluding schools), and units of local government, or tribal organizations.
In order to submit a competitive application, applicants should consider consulting with law enforcement and other stakeholders in order to demonstrate a comprehensive approach to school safety.
How Funds Can Be Used
There are a number of allowable uses of the SVPP funds, which include:
- Procurement and deployment of technology solutions to notify law enforcement during an emergency
- Coordination with local law enforcement
- Placement of deterrent measures such as metal detectors, locks, and lighting
- Training for local law enforcement to prevent school violence
The above list is not all-inclusive, and the COPS Office Director may make individual determinations on other initiatives that provide a significant improvement in security.
Among the allowable cost categories under these broad use areas are:
Technology Solutions
- Communications Devices and Supporting Technology
- Two-Way Radios
- Surveillance Cameras and Associated Equipment
- Mass Notification Systems and Panic Alarms
- Automated Text Message and Email Emergency Alert Systems
- ID Scanning Devices and Associated Equipment
Equipment
- Entry Control Equipment
- Door Locking Mechanisms/Access Control Doors
- Motion Detectors
- School Site Alarms
Equipment and technology items must be clearly linked to the enhancement or implementation of the SVPP project.
The following MCA solutions would fall under the allowable uses of SVPP funds:
- Video Surveillance
- Access Control (Electronic Locking Hardware)
- Weapon Detection
- Perimeter Detection
- Intrusion Detection
- Two-Way Radios
- Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS)
MCA Can Help
For school districts, school boards, and law enforcement agencies wondering how they can tap into the grant funding to secure their schools, MCA can help. In partnership with Motorola Solutions, MCA provides a wide range of best-in-class school security and surveillance equipment that allows administrators and security personnel to monitor the entire campus and coordinate quick responses from both on-site staff and off-site first responders.
Additionally, we offer proactive deterrent solutions, such as electric locking hardware, as well as various detection options including concealed weapon detection, visual weapon detection, perimeter detection and intrusion detection.