Frankel: $1 million-plus for local school, shelter safety

Local grants part of $5.5 million-plus awarded to county schools, orgs

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 26 – Today state Rep. Dan Frankel announced that the Pittsburgh School District and Womens Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh were selected to receive more than $1.2 million in safety grants, part of more than $5.5 million awarded to Allegheny County schools and organizations.

“Today we continued our investment in one of the fundamental needs of our commonwealth – ensuring that every child has a safe, nurturing school environment,” Frankel said. “It is my sincere hope that these grants – along with other initiatives – will prevent another tragedy, will stop another evil act before it can occur. We are investing in more than security but have and will continue to invest in the services and supports our communities desperately need.”

The more than $5.5 million in grants awarded today to Allegheny County schools and social organizations included $298,000 to the Womens Shelter for a hotspot mapping project for teen dating violence.

The Pittsburgh schools grant will help fund, among other things, training programs, security planning and equipment purchases, guidance counselors and social workers and trauma-informed approaches to education.

Act 44 of 2018 created a School Safety and Security Fund for the purposes of providing funding to school districts for school safety and security concerns and addressing community violence. Today, $60 million was distributed for school safety, including $7.5 million for community anti-violence programs.

The grants are awarded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, which receives hundreds of applications for these awards. Eligible school entities include school districts, intermediate units, area vocational-technical schools, charter schools and private rehabilitative institutions. Act 44 created the School Safety and Security Committee, which reviews the grants.

Funds can be used for a wide variety of items, based on the needs of the entity. These uses can include the purchase of equipment, trainings, programs, counseling services, planning and screenings, and to secure behavioral health care professionals and support.