Funding for School Safety: Apply for COPS SVPP Grant and Take Actionable Steps...

As of early 2025, there had already been 54 incidents of gunfire on school grounds,resulting in 16 deaths and 44 injuries nationally. These numbers are a sobering reminder that school violence remains a real and present threat. I work with district leaders from around the country and spent the majority of my career as an educator. None of us went into this profession to focus on building safety or security but all of us now have a keen understanding of why it must be top of mind. Today's reality reinforces the urgent need to prioritize safety planning, something many of us educators were not trained to do nor have the experience to lead. The unfortunate truth is that no single solution is 100% effective. School security must be approached as a layered system - combining people, processes, and technology - to reduce risk and build safer learning environments. We all want to be able to just focus on teaching and learning once we are in the classroom.

Assess First, Plan Second

A critical first step is to perform a comprehensive assessment of your buildings and school grounds for effective and well-targeted safety measures.

There are many ways to begin this process. You can partner with school security consultants or use free tools such as the School Safety Assessmentfrom the National Institute of Justice. It provides a detailed checklist addressing everything from exterior surveillance and interior access control to emergency equipment and end-of-day safety protocols. A similar resource can be found on the Partner Alliance for Safer Schoolssite.

These types of self-evaluations give you the insight needed to take the next step-and now, there's federal funding available to help you act.

Apply Now: COPS FY25 School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP)

If you're looking to implement new safety measures but need support, now is the time to act. The COPS FY25 School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP)grant is now open, offering up to $500,000 per awardto help schools like yours invest in evidence-based safety measures.

SVPP grants can be used to support:

• Coordination with law enforcement

• Emergency notification technology

• Physical deterrents like locks and screening devices

• Law enforcement training to prevent student violence

• And other proven safety measures

Important Deadlines:

• Step 1: Submit an SF-424 in Grants.govby Wednesday, June 18, 2025 at 4:59 PM ET

• Step 2: Submit your full application in JustGrantsby Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 4:59 PM ET

By starting with a thorough assessment, you lay the groundwork for an effective security plan - one that addresses your school's specific risks and needs. With funding from SVPP now available, schools have a critical opportunity to turn planning into action. Evaluate your vulnerabilities, engage your team, and take meaningful steps toward creating a safer learning environment. We understand that grant writing can be a challenge. If your district needs help, reach out to our team for recommended resources.