Office of Justice Programs and Bureau of Justice Assistance

COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program

Key Dates

Solicitation Issue Date: Expected March 2024

Deadline: Expected May 2024

Eligibility

Units of local government (i.e. LEAs), States, Indian tribes, and their public agencies are eligible to apply.

Applications should demonstrate a comprehensive approach to school safety. The following entities are eligible to apply under this program:

States, units of local government, Indian tribes, and their public agencies, including:
- School districts, including public charter schools and school districts with a single school;
- School boards; and
- Law enforcement agencies.

The following entities are ineligible to apply as primary applicants:

Individual schools not operating as school districts;
Independent schools and private schools, including private charter schools.

Award Information & Duration

Up to $500K over 3 years

Estimated # of Awards

235

Cost Share/Matching Requirement

There is a local cash match (cost share) requirement of at least 25 percent.

Link

Website

Summary:

The COPS Office of School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) purpose is to improve security at schools and on school grounds through the implementation of evidence-based school safety programs and technology. Awards will contribute to this goal by funding projects which include funding of civilian personnel to serve as coordinators with local law enforcement, training for local law enforcement officers, purchase and installation of certain allowable equipment and technology, and other measures to significantly improve school security. Anticipated outcomes of SVPP awards include improved information sharing with local law enforcement; increased interaction and improved communications between law enforcement and school officials; reduced notification times to law enforcement; improved response time to threats and events; accurate identification of danger and follow up; increased knowledge of and use of community policing principles; and increased school safety and sustainability planning efforts. All these outcomes should be achieved without resorting to discriminatory stereotypes or violating privacy. For the purposes of this program, a school is defined as an elementary or secondary school, including a Bureau-funded school.

As a condition of funding, if awarded, recipients must conduct comprehensive school safety assessments during the grant award period for all schools involved in the project. These assessments must inform the measures necessary to improve school safety and ensure a safe and positive learning environment for students free of discrimination and protective of student privacy.

How this grant can be used:

Improving school security should involve the entire school community, including input from students, parents, teachers, administrators as well as local law enforcement. When undertaking comprehensive school safety and security approaches, applicants should prioritize implementing school safety measures that help to promote a positive school climate that does not detract from the mission of the school to educate students or negatively impact the health and wellbeing of students.

Comprehensive school safety planning should include the following:

Maintaining effective ongoing communication, coordination, and partnerships with all of those involved in school safety efforts within a jurisdiction to ensure accountability and monitor both effectiveness and compliance with all applicable requirements, including privacy and civil rights laws.
Site and risk assessments that examine the overall safety, accessibility and emergency preparedness of school buildings and grounds and improve jurisdictions’ understanding of the likelihood of specific threats or hazards.
Coordinated emergency operations plans that are developed in partnership with first responders (law enforcement, fire officials, and emergency medical services personnel), mental health entities, and community partners.
Specific efforts, programs and policies designed to ensure positive school climates including the physical, social, and emotional elements that this entails.
Routine training and drills to ensure that plans are coordinated and effectively implemented.
Regular updating and review of planning efforts.
In addition, jurisdictions should consider the following items before acquiring and deploying school safety technology:
- A positive school climate is paramount for learning; technology should not create a punitive or prison-like atmosphere, rely on discriminatory stereotypes or violate student privacy, or generate additional fears or traumatize students who may already be living in an unsafe environment.
- Technology cannot compensate for inherent building design weaknesses.
- Without training, technology can prove ineffective.
- Without the appropriate culture, technology can be circumvented.
- Technology may evolve rapidly (and so does the software that may accompany it); consideration must be given to replacement, maintenance, and repair costs.
- Long-term support for technology is a key factor.
- Technology selection should focus on addressing a specified problem.

Example awardees/programs

Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District (TX) | 2022 | $442,400

The purpose of the COPS office school violence prevention program (SVPP) is to improve security at schools and on school grounds through school safety programs and technology. Funding under this award program will be used by the school jurisdiction to implement evidence-based programs to improve school security and promote a positive learning environment for all students.

Conrad Weiser Area School District (PA) | 2022 | $468,750

West Covina Unified School District (CA) | 2022 | $500,000