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Schools Can Apply Now for New School Safety Grant Program

Local schools can submit applications now for the new School Safety and Security Grant Program. The program will provide grants of at least $25,000 to each school that applies, with no more than 10% of available monies going to one school district.  This ensures that every school in the Commonwealth has the opportunity to receive funding.

I also fought to have flexibility within this grant program, so this money can be used for individual school district needs. The one-size-fits-all, cookie-cutter approach does not work.

Approximately $52.5 million will be distributed through the new grant program, which is open to all Pennsylvania school districts, intermediate units, area vocational-technical schools, charter schools and private residential rehabilitative institutions. The remaining funds from the $60 million appropriation will be used for community violence protection programs.

Eligible uses of grants include:

• safety and security assessments that meet best practices criteria.
• conflict resolution or dispute management.
• schoolwide positive behavior support.
• school-based diversion programs.
• peer helper programs.
• risk assessment and violence prevention curricula.
• classroom management.
• student codes of conduct.
• training to undertake a districtwide assessment of risk factors.
• development and implementation of research-based violence prevention programs.
• districtwide school safety, emergency preparedness and all-hazards plans.
• security planning and purchase of security-related technology.
• institution of student, staff and visitor identification systems.
• provision of specialized staff and student training programs.
• counseling services for students.
• a system for the management of student discipline.
• staff training programs in the use of positive behavior supports, de-escalation techniques and appropriate responses to student behavior that may require immediate intervention.
• costs associated with the training and compensation of school resource officers and school police officers.
• costs associated with the training and compensation of certified counselors, social workers, and school psychologists.
• administration of evidence-based screenings for adverse childhood experiences.
• trauma-informed approaches to education.
• programs designed to reduce community violence.

School entities must complete and submit an application for the program by October 12 in order to be considered for a grant. Additional information on the program is available online at www.pccd.pa.gov under the School Safety and Security heading.

The new program was created as part of a comprehensive school safety bill that the Senate and House passed in June. More information on school safety measures under consideration in the General Assembly is available online at https://www.pasenategop.com/school-safety/.  For more information on the State Police’s  Risk and Vulnerability Assessment program, click here.

First Responders Encouraged to Apply for Grants

Fire, emergency medical services, and rescue companies can apply now for Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program grants.

Funds can be used to pay for construction/renovation, equipment (includes the purchase of fuel for company vehicles), debt reduction, training and public fire prevention education.

Thank you to all our first responders for your dedication to protecting our families and communities.

Brooks Earns Pro-Business, AARP and Statewide Impact Awards

National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in Pennsylvania, the state’s leading small-business association, announced that Sen. Michele Brooks is among the state lawmakers who has a strong pro-business, job growth voting record.

For her pro-business support, Brooks will be presented with NFIB’s “Guardian of Small Business” Award.

This award is the most prestigious honor that NFIB bestows on legislators in recognition of their efforts to support small businesses and the jobs they provide.

“These state Senators and House members have proven themselves a steadfast ally of small business,” said NFIB’s Legislative Director in Pennsylvania, Rebecca Oyler. “It’s easy to forget, but stopping bad legislation is just as important as passing good legislation.”

“These lawmakers know the importance of Pennsylvania’s small, family-owned businesses and understand the necessity of reducing the government’s role in their lives and the importance that business plays in creating jobs,” added Oyler.

This award is the third Brooks has earned in the past year.  She also earned the AARP “Capitol Caregiver Award” for her work in helping senior citizens, in addition to the “50 Over 50” Award from City and State PA as one of the most influential people in Pennsylvania.

“I am humbled to have received these awards this past year, and I look forward to continuing to work with job-creators in making Pennsylvania the most competitive it can be in strengthening our economy.”

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