BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Pennsylvania's School Safety and Security Committee has approved $47 million in school grants that focus on safety, security and mental health supports for students and staff across the state.
The committee, or SSSC, falls under the umbrella of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, or PCCD, which serves as the justice planning and policymaking agency for the state.
"As a father, I understand how much Pennsylvania parents care about keeping their kids safe at school and healthy in body and mind," Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, who is chairman of both the SSSC and PCCD, said.
"Our kids are facing so many pressures, and our schools are dealing with significant challenges. The Shapiro-Davis Administration is committed to making sure our schools have the resources they need to keep their facilities secure from threats and provide the mental health services and support that our kids need."Austin Davis
"Our kids are facing so many pressures, and our schools are dealing with significant challenges.
"The Shapiro-Davis Administration is committed to making sure our schools have the resources they need to keep their facilities secure from threats and provide the mental health services and support that our kids need."
Funding recipients
Of the $47 million total, grants went to 32 school districts, charter schools and career and technical centers in Lehigh and Northampton counties, which got nearly $5.2 million combined.
Nineteen of those in Lehigh County received nearly $2.8 million. Parkland, Northern Lehigh and Allentown City schools topped the list at nearly $1.7 million combined.
- Parkland: $693,355
- Northern Lehigh: $597,649
- Allentown: $402,202
Thirteen in Northampton County will get funds totaling $2,366,492. Northampton, Bethlehem and Easton area school districts comprised the top three there, at $1.25 million combined.
- Northampton Area: $662,429
- Bethlehem Area: $331,373
- Easton Area: $256,256
According to its website, PCCD brings together a wide range of experts in the fields of criminal and juvenile justice, victim services, and related professions, to examine problems, propose solutions, and evaluate the impact of those solutions.
The awards complete the $155 million school safety grants program package appropriated in the bipartisan 2023-24 budget and issued by the SSSC in January.
