School Mental Health & Safety and Security Grants

Funding is available through the PA Department of Education School Mental Health & Safety and Security Grants for 2022-2023 school year.

Across the nation, parents and school staff members are pushing for more security and safer facilities. While K-12 schools have dramatically increased physical security systems in the last 20 years, significant vulnerabilities still exist. Many schools have outdated communication, access control and video surveillance systems that do not take advantage of the latest technology related to video analytics, automated lockdown actions, weapons detection, emergency mass notification, visitor management, and other significant improvements to building security systems. As a result, many schools are not adequately protected against an unexpected intrusion to the facility.

Guns are the leading cause of death among US children.

Recently, the U.S. Congress passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act which includes the ability for schools to significantly upgrade their physical safety systems. The intent of this Act is clear – to protect America’s children, keep our schools safe, and reduce the threat of violence across the country. Protecting schools from an armed intruder is a major challenge that is at the heart of this legislation.

Do you need help assessing your schools' security systems needs?

In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Commission of Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) announces the availability of School Safety and Security Program funding through the PA Department of Education ACT 55 of 2022 to support School Mental Health & Safety and Security Grants for 2022-2023 school year. Schools are strongly encouraged to utilize PCCD’s General Application Grant Guides on the PCCD’s website (www.pccd.pa.gov) for assistance in navigating the Egrants registration and application process.

Radius Systems can help with assessing your security vulnerabilities and needs for grant applications.

Radius Systems can make your facility safe and secure by providing custom designed security solutions. Radius Systems is a security integrator that specializes in Access Control, CCTV, Intrusion Detection, Perimeter Door Management, Intercoms, Emergency OH Paging, Mass Notification and Building Automation. Radius has expert staff with real-life experience in developing and maintaining security solutions for K-12 and Higher Education environments.

What is wrong with K-12 Security Systems?

Are your security or emergency communications systems outdated?
Are doors properly configured to be locked at all or selected times? Do they stay locked?
Are doors being left ajar or intentionally propped open?
Are you experiencing failures from automatic door closers and other door hardware that require maintenance, adjustment, repair, or replacement?
Are you properly monitoring and controlling entrances and exits?
Are you obstructing the means of egress path and emergency exits?
Do you utilize a strategy for one controlled entrance?
Do you screen, track, and badge visitors?
Do you control dock entrances for deliveries?
Do you have a lock down strategy with safe refuge areas?

Can you automatically lock down and partition the building to isolate an unwanted incident?
Does your alarms and access control systems integrate with your video management system?
Do you have security for your sports venues?
Does parking lots or adjacent streets have loitering problems?
Do you have an overhead paging or mass-notification system in place for emergencies?
Do you have a school messaging system that sends emergency alerts via computer desktops, voice, text, email and or social media?
Does your security or emergency communication systems need a health assessment?
Do you utilize panic/staff assistance alarms?
Are you happy with your security system service provider?