The Indiana Department of Homeland Security announced Monday it’s now accepting applications for the Secured School Safety Grant (SSSG), a matching state grant dedicated to safety initiatives at Hoosier schools. The grant application is open through Aug. 2.
Public school corporations, accredited non-public schools, charter schools or a coalition of school corporations and/or charter schools applying jointly are eligible to apply for the matching grants of up to $100,000, based on the average daily membership of the school entity. Indiana lawmakers last session appropriated about $19 million to the SSSG program, expanded eligibility and adjusted the matching formula.
The following items are eligible under the SSSG program:
- Employ a school resource officer/law enforcement officer (salary, benefits and 40 hour training course);
- Conduct a threat assessment;
- Purchase equipment to restrict access to the school or expedite the notification of first responders;
- Support firearms training in districts that choose to implement such programs (new for FY 20);
- Support the implementation of a student and parent support services program (new for FY 20);
- Fund the one-time startup costs of an active alert warning system (new for FY 20).
To apply by the Aug. 2 application deadline, schools first must identify a system administrator for the IntelliGrants grant management system and register with the IDHS System Administrator Form. This process is required to obtain credentials to access the system and complete an application for SSSG funding. For more information and to begin the application process, schools can visit the IDHS Grants Management website.
Since being signed in to law in 2013, the Indiana Secured School Safety Grant (SSSG) program has been a critical resource to improve school safety. The program has delivered more than $53 million in matching grants to Indiana school districts to them prepare for safety threats. The Indiana Department of Administration operates a free metal detector program that has distributed more than 3,400 metal detectors to more than 420 Indiana schools since mid-2018.
The Indiana Department of Education has supported its nationally recognized School Safety Specialist Academy since 1999 to train personnel to address safety concerns. The Indiana School Safety Hub also provides schools with a wealth of resources, training opportunities and other information designed to give schools the tools they need to keep students and staff safe.