CENTEGIX | Education
Funding Sources for School Safety Solutions
CENTEGIX | Education
Funding Sources for School Safety Solutions
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Over the past several years, the US federal government and state legislatures have prioritized funding school safety solutions. Federal and state school safety grants provide funding for: security infrastructure updates, investments in new safety technologies, and security personnel.ย
These funding sources are earmarked to improve school safety planning and emergency response and school mental health resources. Districts pursuing this funding can increase their schoolsโ safety and provide resources for studentsโ and teachersโ well-being.ย
Funding sources districts should consider for school safety solutions include:
COPS School Violence Prevention Program
The 2018 Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing School Violence (STOP School Violence Act) gave the Department of Justiceโs Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) office the authority to award funding for security improvements to states, local governments, and federally recognized Indian tribes and their public agencies.
Eligible units of local government include counties, cities, and school districts. The program funds evidence-based school safety programs and technology to enhance security and reduce school violence.ย
The School Violence Prevention Program will provide up to 75% funding for the following school safety measures for K-12 schools:
Coordination with law enforcement.
Training for local law enforcement officers to prevent violence.
Metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures.
Technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency.
Any other measure that the COPS Office determines may provide a significant security improvement.
BJA STOP School Violence Grant Program
The US Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) administers the STOP School Violence Grant Program. This program, initiated in 2018, seeks to improve school security by providing students and teachers with the tools they need to recognize, respond quickly to, and prevent acts of violence. The STOP School Violence Grant Program funds schools to develop and operate evidence-based school safety solutions, including threat assessment protocols and crisis intervention teams. Funds can also be used for new and improved safety technology and school security infrastructure.ย
Eligible applicants include:
State and local governments, including city, township, and county governments
Independent school districts
Tribal governments
Specific nonprofit organizations
Private, public, and state-controlled higher education institutions
Units of local government
BJAโs section of the STOP School Violence Act of 2018 targets several school safety measures for funding:
Development and operation of anonymous reporting technology. These include hotlines, websites, digital apps, and other means by which threats of school violence can be reported.
Development and operation of a school threat assessment as well as convening a multidisciplinary team of multiple stakeholders to create an evidence-based assessment.
Specialized training for school officials in responding to mental health crises and staff training on topics including bullying, social-emotional learning, and suicide prevention.ย
Training for school personnel and students to prevent student violence against others and self.
Hiring support personnel whose expertise directly supports school violence prevention.
Any other measure the BJA determines may provide a significant security improvement.
Title I, Part A
Title I, Part Aโs purpose is to provide all children with a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close educational achievement gaps. Title I, Part A provides federal funding resources to schools with high numbers or high percentages of students from low-income families. The grant supports schools to ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.
Schoolwide Program (SWP) schools may use the funds for school safety if aligned with the school’s comprehensive plan. Schools must conduct a comprehensive needs assessment and develop a schoolwide plan aligned with Title I goals to include school safety.
Title IV, Part A
The Every Student Succeeds Act includes Title IV, Part A. These funds increase the capacity of states and local education agencies to provide all students with a well-rounded education, improve learning conditions in schools, and invest in technology to enhance academic achievement and digital literacy. A minimum of 20% of Title IV, Part A funds must be spent on school safety, student health, or other initiatives that fall under the “Safe and Healthy Students” category. Title II, Part A funding can be transferred into Title IV, Part A, allowing those funds to be used for school safety.
IDEA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) supports early intervention and special education services for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities and their families. The CENTEGIX Safety Platformโข aligns with the goals of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) by providing technology that enhances emergency preparedness and response for students with disabilities. The
platform supports IEP implementation by enabling immediate, accessible communication during behavioral or medical incidents, ensuring that students with disabilities receive timely, appropriate support. These inclusive safety measures benefit the broader school population while
fulfilling IDEAโs commitment to equitable, supportive learning environments.
Nonprofit Security Grant Program
Administered by FEMA to enhance the physical security of nonprofit organizations at high risk of terrorist attacks or extremist violence. Funds can be used for physical security enhancements. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and those described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, particularly those considered high-risk. Public schools are not eligible. Nonprofits must apply through their State Administrative Agency (SAA) and cannot apply directly to FEMA.
State Homeland Security Grant Program
Administered by FEMA, the SHSP is part of the broader Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP). It provides funding to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to enhance their ability to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks and other emergencies. You must apply through your ย State Administrative Agency (SAA) and cannot apply directly to FEMA. Not all states permit schools to apply, so check with your SAA for more details. Funds are allocated based on risk assessments and the effectiveness of proposed initiatives. Key focus areas include:โย
- Planning: Developing emergency operations plans and protocols.โ
- Equipment acquisition: Procuring necessary equipment to support emergency preparedness and response.โโ
- Training and exercises: Conducting training programs and simulation exercises for emergency personnel.
OJJDP Enhancing School Capacity to Address Youth Violence Grant
The Office of Justice and Juvenile Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) will fund the Enhancing School Capacity to Address Youth Violence grant program. This program supports targeted, evidence-based prevention and intervention programs to address youth violence in schools. The programโs goals are to reduce the incidence of school violence through improved school safety and climate and to prevent youth violence, delinquency, and victimization in the targeted community.
FEMA Targeted Violence & Terrorism Prevention
Administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the TVTP Grant Program funds evidence-based approaches to prevent acts of targeted violence in communities, including schools. This program supports K-12 schools working with community partners to develop proactive strategies that reduce the risk of school-based violence.
Eligible uses include:
- Behavioral threat assessment training and implementation
- Development of multidisciplinary intervention teams
- Community engagement and education on violence prevention
- Technology that facilitates early detection and rapid response to threats
TVTP grants are designed to supplement existing school safety efforts by focusing on early intervention and long-term violence prevention strategies.
Stronger Connections Grant Program
The 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) provides historic funding to support state and local education agencies and schools to establish safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments. The BCSA expands vital mental health services and provides support for states and districts to design and enhance initiatives that will promote safer, more inclusive, and positive school environments for all students, educators, and school staff.
The Stronger Connections Grant Program is one component of the BSCA. This program seeks to capitalize on the strength of local communities and leaders to improve schoolsโ climates and student achievement. The Stronger Connections Grant Program utilizes a portion of the $1 billion in BSCA funding for state education agencies (SEAs) to competitively award subgrants to high-need local education agencies (LEAs). The program seeks to award LEAs that employ evidence-based approaches to create comprehensive plans for creating safe, supportive, and healthy schools. As such, security measures, wellness initiatives, safety planning, and associated training may all be eligible for funding.
Initiatives that may receive funding include:ย
Safety assessments and corresponding safety plans and strategies
Efforts to support a positive school culture and climate, including positive behavioral interventions and student wellness support
Programs to prevent and respond to acts of bullying, violence, and hate
Programs to support staff well-being
Training to improve trauma-informed practices
The Stronger Connections Grant Program mandates that SEAs and LEAs engage community members and local partners to identify areas for which they will seek funding. Because the program aims to assist schools and students most in need of services, LEAs applying for funding should seek input from a diverse set of community members and from communities that face systemic barriers.
Appropriations Requests (Community Project Funding)
School districts and other local government entities can request direct
federal funding for safety and security initiatives – such as panic alert
systems – through their U.S. Senators or Representatives. These requests
are not competitive grants but earmarked funds added to the federal budget
to support critical local priorities. Requests are typically submitted in
early spring, so early planning and outreach to congressional offices is
essential. Contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives to
learn their specific submission process.
ESSER Funds
Federal COVID-19 relief funding through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) programs ended on January 31, 2025. Schools may no longer obligate or spend ESSER funds for new purchases.
Greenlights Grant Initiative
The Greenlights Grant Initiative is focused on raising awareness about school safety grants, equipping school districts with resources and tools for successful applications, and ensuring continuous and more equitable federal funding for school safety.ย
Grant writing services are fully funded by the initiative for the following:
- High need, low-capacity districts (as identified by the Greenlights Grant Initiative).ย
-
- Factors used to identify these districts are high poverty rates, student-to-mental health professional ratio, school districts in which students have recently experienced a natural disaster or traumatic event, and geographic diversity.ย
- Have not applied for federal grants previously.
- Need grant writing support NOW.ย
Funding Sources by State
Alabama
State Funding
- K-12 Capital Grant Program:ย A competitive grant program that provides one-time funding to Alabama public and charter school systems for capital improvements focused on school safety, facility upgrades, and technology enhancements. Eligible expenses include security infrastructure (e.g., surveillance systems, secure entrances), emergency communication tools (such as CENTEGIX), deferred maintenance, and technology modernization. The first cycle closed in 2023. An additional $53 million has been requested for a second cycle in FY26.
Title Funding
Competitive Grant Funding
Alaska
State Funding
- None
Title Funding
Competitive Grant Funding
Arizona
State Funding
- Arizona School Safety Program: A competitive grant program that provides funding for school personnel, and a recently signed bill (HB 2074) now allows districts to use the funds for safety technology or training if they are unable to hire a school resource officer. This flexibility enables schools to invest in solutions like panic alert solutions to enhance campus safety.
Title Funding
Competitive Grant Funding
Connecticut
State Funding
- School Security Grant Program (SSGP): A competitive grant program that provides funding to schools to implement security infrastructure improvements, including panic alarms systems.ย
- Multi-Media School Security Grant Program (MMSSGP): A competitive grant program that provides funding to schools to implement multi-media security projects that create a direct line of communication between schools and law enforcement. Eligible projects include panic alarms systems with the capability of transmitting notification directly to law enforcement.
Title Funding
Competitive Grant Funding
Florida
State Funding
- School Mapping Data Grant Program (SMDG): A competitive grant program established under Florida law (HB 301) to provide $14 million appropriations to fund the creation of standardized digital emergency response mapping data for public school facilities. Funding supports the development of floor plans, geospatial mapping, and electronic map data that can be shared with first responders during emergencies.
- Alyssaโs Alert Funding: A non-competitive, recurring funding program that provides financial support to Florida public and charter schools for mobile panic alert systems mandated by Alyssaโs Law (Fla. Stat. ยง1006.07(4)). Initially funded with $6.4 million in recurring state appropriations (FYโฏ2020โ21), the program ensures districts maintain compliant panic alert technology. Beginning in FYโฏ2025โ26, an additional $450,000 in recurring funds is designated for the development of a centralized statewide infrastructure integrating panic alert systems and school mapping data, though this funding does not cover new deployments.
- School Hardening Grant Program:ย A competitive, non-recurring grant program administered by the Florida Department of Education that provides funding to school districts and charter schools for physical security improvements.
Title Funding
Competitive Grant Funding
Georgia
State Funding
- Safer Georgia Schools Grant: A competitive grant program that provides funding to local educational agencies for school safety programs, professional development, and infrastructure upgrades. Allowable activities include staff training, mental health supports, emergency planning, and security technologies such as panic alert systems. The current grant period ends September 30, 2025.
- Governorโs School Safety & Security Funding: A formula-based enhancement added to Georgiaโs existing school safety grants, delivering oneโtime funding to every public Kโ12 school across the state. In early 2025, Governor Kemp proposedโand the legislature approvedโan additional $50 million, which translates to about $21,635 per school, on top of the annual $47,125 baseline. In total, each school could receive approximately $68,760 for safety and security improvements. Funds are flexible and may support safety personnel, mental health services, crisis counseling training, emergency communication, wearable panic buttons, and other enhancements tied to local safety plans. Schools must submit approved safety plans to access the funding.
Title Funding
Competitive Grant Funding
Indiana
State Funding
- Secured School Safety Grant: A competitive grant program that provides matching grants to school corporations, accredited non-public schools, charter schools, and coalitions of school corporations to increase school safety. Funding categories include digital mapping and to purchase equipment, hardware, and technology including visitor management and panic alert systems.
Title Funding
Competitive Grant Funding
Maryland
State Funding
- The School Facility Mapping Grant (SFMG): A competitive grant program that provides funding to local school systems for the development of school facility maps to aid first responders in emergencies.ย
- Hate Crimes Grantย (HCG): A competitive grant program that provides funding to local school systems, non-public schools, and childcare centers determined to be at risk of hate crime incidents. Funding categories include security-related technology and security-related facility upgrades.
- Safe Schools Fund Grant (SSFG): A non-competitive grant program that provides funding to local school systems for school safety and security-related matters under Md. Code Ann., Educ. Art. ยง7-1512. Security-related software and contractual services may be allowable when tied to eligible activities like staff training, school safety evaluations, and anonymous reporting.ย
Title Funding
Competitive Grant Funding
New Jersey
State Funding
- Securing Our Childrenโs Future Bond Act (SOCFBA) Grant: A formula-based grant program that provides funding to public school districts for security upgrades required under Alyssaโs Law, including panic alarms, cameras, and secure entryways.
- Nonpublic School Security Program (NPSSP): A state aid program that provides funding to nonpublic schools for security services, equipment, and technology. Funds are distributed through local public school districts.
Title Funding
Competitive Grant Funding
New York
State Funding
- Smart Schools Bond Act (SSBA): A non-competitive, bond-funded program that provides capital reimbursement to public school districts in New York for technology upgrades and school safety improvements. Allowable expenses include security systems such as surveillance cameras, panic button alarms, and access control. Districts must submit and receive approval for a Smart Schools Investment Plan (SSIP) before accessing funds.
- Nonpublic School Safety Equipment (NPSE) Grant: A non-competitive formula grant program that provides reimbursement funding to eligible nonpublic (religious and independent) schools for school safety and security equipment. Allowable expenses include panic button systems, surveillance cameras, access control, security personnel, and health/safety-related facility improvements. Schools must have a valid OSC Vendor ID to participate.
Title Funding
Competitive Grant Funding
Ohio
State Funding
- Attorney Generalโs Program Based School Safety Grant: A first-come, first-servedย grant program that supports school safety and climate programs through training and equipment purchases .ย Every eligible school organization is eligible for up to $40,000, until the funds are exhausted.ย
- Attorney Generalโs Formula Based School Safety Grant: A first-come, first-served grant program that supports school safety and climate programs through training and equipment purchases. Every eligible school organization is eligible for a formula-based grant of $2,500 or $4.50 per student, whichever amount is greater until the funds are exhausted.
- Bureau of Workersโ Compensation School Safety and Security Grant (SSSG): A competitive grant program available to Ohio employers that operate licensed preschool through 12th grade educational facilities to ensure the safety of their staff who instruct children. Funding is available to purchase equipment to substantially improve the safety and security of facilities and to reduce or eliminate injuries.
- K-12 School Safety Grant: A competitive grant program created to help schools pay for physical security expenses. Future cycles are dependent upon available funding.
- Campus Safety Grant: A competitive grant program available to Ohio public colleges and universities to fund security improvements to improve the overall physical security and safety of the buildings on their campuses.ย
Title Funding
Competitive Grant Funding
Oklahoma
State Funding
- Alyssaโs Law (HB 4073): A state law effective Julyโฏ1,โฏ2024, requiring each Oklahoma public school district to implement a mobile panic alert system. The Oklahoma State Board of Education maintains a list of approved vendors, including CENTEGIX, that meet these criteria. Funding for compliance is available through the School Security Revolving Fund, originally created under HBโฏ2903 and funded via HBโฏ2904, with allocations of approximately $50โฏmillion annually to support implementation costs
- School Resource Officer Grant: A competitive state grant program established by HB 2903 and funded through HB 2904 that provides up to $150 million over three years to public school districts to support the hiring of School Resource Officers (SROs) and implement physical security enhancements. Eligible expenses may include security cameras, fencing, ballistic storm shelters, panic alert systems, intercom upgrades, and SRO training. Funds are distributed via the School Security Revolving Fund and must supplementโrather than replaceโexisting security budgets.
Title Funding
Competitive Grant Funding
Oregon
State Funding
- Wireless Panic Alarm Grant: A non-competitive reimbursement program that provides up to $2,000 per school for the installation of wireless panic alarm systems that allow staff to notify emergency responders of on-campus threats. Systems must include wireless activation, 911 dispatch notification, and campus-wide alert capabilities. Funding is available through the 2023โ2025 biennium, with installation deadlines set by June 30, 2025. It is unclear if this program will run again.
Title Funding
Competitive Grant Funding
Tennessee
State Funding
- Public School Security Grant: A non-competitive grant program that provides funding to enhance school safety measures at Tennessee public schools. Allocations are based on Average Daily Membership (ADM) and allowable expenses include panic alert systems, visitor management, and staff safety training.ย
- School Safety Alert Grant: A competitive grant program that provides up to $8,000 per school to Tennessee LEAs, public charter schools, non-public schools, and church-related schools for the purchase of mobile panic alert systems. Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis, with two grants per grand division (East, Middle, West Tennessee). Funding supports emergency notification systems that enable quick communication with first responders in crisis situations.
Title Funding
Competitive Grant Funding
Texas
State Funding
- 2022-2025 School Safety Standards Formula Grant: A nonโcompetitive formula grant program administered by the TEA that provides approximately $400โฏmillion statewide to support Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charters in meeting mandated facility safety standards under Chapterโฏ61, SubchapterโฏCC. Allowable expenses include upgrades to fencing, doors and windows, secure entry vestibules, emergency responder radio coverage, silent panic alert systems, exterior door numbering, and key lock box installations. Once minimal compliance is met, funds may also be used for broader security activities such as surveillance cameras, communications systems, training, and peace officer staffing. LEAs were required to apply by Augustโฏ1,โฏ2023, and must have fully expended prior SBโฏ500 grant proceeds before accessing allocated amounts. The grantโs performance period was extended to Aprilโฏ30,โฏ2026, with final amendment due Januaryโฏ30,โฏ2026.
- Safety and Facilities Enhancement (SAFE) Grant โ Cycle 2: A non-competitive grant program administered by the TEA that provides approximately $275โฏmillion to Texas public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to enhance school safety infrastructure. Allowable uses include facility upgrades and capital improvements necessary to meet statutory safety requirements, such as secure doors, communications systems, emergency egress, and panic alert technology. LEAs were required to apply by Mayโฏ30,โฏ2024. The grantโs performance period was extended to Aprilโฏ30,โฏ2027, with final amendments due by Marchโฏ1,โฏ2027.ย
- HBโฏ2 School Safety Allotment: A non-competitive state funding enhancement under House Billโฏ2 (89th Texas Legislature, signed June 4, 2025) allocating $20 per student and $33,540 per campus to public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools for safety infrastructure, emergency systems, panic alert technology, and required compliance under security statutes.ย
Title Funding
Competitive Grant Funding
Utah
State Funding
- School Safety and Support Grant: A competitive grant program that provides funding to local education agencies (LEAs) for improving physical school safety through security upgrades, emergency communication systems, training, and first-aid resources. Awards are based on demonstrated need as identified in a state-required School Safety Needs Assessment, with priority given to schools facing the most significant safety gaps.
Title Funding
Competitive Grant Funding
Washington
State Funding
- School Security & Preparedness Infrastructure Grant: A proposed competitive grant program established under SB 5003 that would provide funding to public school districts for infrastructure upgrades that enhance school security and emergency preparedness. Eligible projects could include panic alert systems, secure entry access, fencing, and law enforcement coordination enhancements.
Title Funding
Competitive Grant Funding
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