Indiana officials have approved nearly $27.1 million in grants to support security initiatives at 494 schools across the state.
The funding comes from the Secured School Safety Grant (SSSG) program. Established in 2013 and administered by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, the program issues matching grants to public and private schools, charter schools, and school coalitions. To date, the program has awarded 4,599 grants totaling more than $214 million.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said, “Every student deserves a good education, and that starts with feeling safe and secure.”
Eligible initiatives include funding for school resource officers (SROs) and law enforcement officers in schools; equipment and technology; active event warning systems; firearms training for teachers and staff that choose to allow guns on school property; threat assessments; and support services programs. This year, the majority of grants are dedicated to funding SROs.
“As a former school resource officer, I know first-hand the importance of the Secured School Safety Grants,” said Julie Q. Smith, director of the Office of School Safety. “[W]e are proud to be able to fund nearly $20 million of school resource officers across the state, amongst a number of other important projects that fortify our school buildings and enhance the security and safety of our students.”
The full announcement is available here.
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