The 25-26 Targeted School Safety for Nonpublic Schools is a competitive grant program that provides up to $75,000 in funding to nonpublic schools for school safety and security initiatives. This grant program helps fund initiatives that align with the PA Public School Code Section 1306-B(j).

The CENTEGIX Safety Platform® directly maps to the SSSC’s priority of addressing communication gaps and enhancing physical security through the following sections of PA Public School Code § 13-1306-B(j).

Key priorities for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) are helping schools meet Level 1 Baseline Criteria and addressing communication gaps identified within professional assessments. CENTEGIX helps schools resolve a critical vulnerability often found in assessments: the inability to get help outside of the classroom and in areas where Wi-Fi and cellular service don’t work. The CENTEGIX Safety Platform provides 100% campus-wide coverage—including hallways, cafeterias, parking lots, and athletic fields—ensuring a rapid response regardless of where an incident occurs.

PCCD Priority Consideration: The School Safety and Security Committee (SSSC) gives priority to applicants seeking to meet Level 1 Baseline Criteria. Implementing a campus-wide emergency management system like the CENTEGIX Safety Platform is a foundational step in meeting these essential safety tiers and removing barriers to emergency communication.

In 2024, the Pennsylvania Legislature introduced Senate Bill No. 1206 and House Bill No. 1974, co-sponsored proposals for an amendment to the Public School Code of 1949 (P.L.30, No. 14) that would provide for panic alarm systems in Pennsylvania schools.

The amendment, if passed, would require all public school buildings to be equipped with a panic alarm system for use in a school security emergency, including, but not limited to, a nonfire evacuation, lockdown or active shooter situation. The panic alarm must be directly linked to the local law enforcement agencies designated as first responders to the school’s campus and must immediately transmit a signal or message to those authorities on activation.

The Pennsylvania legislature passed the School Safety and Security Act (Act 44) in 2018, which offers new guidance for Pennsylvania school safety solutions and establishes a fund for safety grants. The legislation provides guidance for everything from training and planning to installing Pennsylvania school alert systems.

The law established the School Safety and Security Committee, which has since developed a tiered system for evaluating school safety. The law also created a school safety fund designated for grants to help schools achieve higher tiers of safety compliance.  

In subsequent years, the Pennsylvania state legislature passed multiple amendments that added regulations for developing a trauma-informed approach to safety, safety and security training standards and training requirements for school resource officers and security personnel. 

To qualify for grant funding, schools must reach a Tier 1 level of compliance, which focuses on safety training and planning. But, depending on the level of need, schools can achieve Tier 2 and Tier 3 safety criteria by implementing additional Pennsylvania school safety solutions.

While the Pennsylvania School Safety Act provides new funding pathways for schools needing Pennsylvania school safety solutions, most Tier 1 qualifications can be met by completing formal training and emergency planning. 

To reach additional compliance levels, however, schools must undergo more intensive training and will likely need to invest in Pennsylvania school safety solutions at the infrastructure level.

The CENTEGIX Safety Platform allows school safety planners to combine all of their safety planning assets in one location, combining the digital mapping, CrisisAlert badges, and Visitor Management in one place. The solution includes: