Safety, Mental Health Grants Head to Local School Districts, Private Schools

HARRISBURG PA – Public school districts and private schools in the TriCounty region will soon share more than $2.5 million in grants to improve school safety and mental health programs, the state says.

Pennsylvania’s Commission on Crime and Delinquency announced its presentation of awards totaling nearly $20 million statewide. Slightly more than 10% of that money is destined for educational institutions in western Montgomery, eastern Berks, and northern Chester counties.

The grants were announced Nov. 26 (Tuesday) by the commission’s School Safety and Security Committee.

A portion of the statewide funding also benefits municipalities, law enforcement agencies, and approved vendors that supply school security personnel services. Funds are expected to be distributed quickly, the Shapiro Administration reports.

“Resources secured in the 2024-25 budget will give students better access to mental health support, and ensure schools can upgrade technology and security measures to protect students, staff, and visitors,” Gov. Josh Shapiro notes.

Winning Districts, Schools, and Amounts

Local school districts, career and technical centers, and intermediate units were designated as winners of “Noncompetitive FY24-25 School Safety & Mental Health Grants.” They include:

• In Berks County, Berks County Intermediate Unit 14, $70,000; Berks Career and Technical Center, $70,000; Boyertown Area School District, $221,273; Daniel Boone Area School District, $157,677; and Oley Valley School District, $127,651;
• In Chester County, Chester County Intermediate Unit 24, $70,000; Chester County Technical College Career and Technical Center, $70,000; Owen J. Roberts School District, $199,401; and Phoenixville Area School District, $179,183; and
• In Montgomery County, Montgomery County Intermediate Unit 23, $70,000; North Montco Tech Career and Technical Center, $70,000; Perkiomen Valley School District, $190,233; Pottsgrove School District, $157,577; Pottstown School District, $161,447; Spring-Ford Area School District, $246,578; Upper Perkiomen School District, $161,096; and Western Montgomery Career and Technical Center, $70,000.

Local private schools named as recipients of “Competitive FY24-25 Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools” include:

• In Berks County, Pine Forge Academy, $75,000; and
• In Montgomery County, Coventry Christian Schools, $56,500; Pope John Paul II High School, $75,000; St. Teresa of Calcutta School, $25,000; and The Wyndcroft School, $37,500.

Photo by Travels With The Post