Begin Main Content Area

COVID -19 School Health and Safety Grants FY20-21 – for IUs/Nonpublic Schools

A copy of the funding announcement for IUs/Nonpublic Schools is HERE.  

NOTE: Nonpublic schools cannot apply directly to PCCD for this funding.  Nonpublic schools must reach out to their supporting Intermediate Unit (IU) and request that the IU apply on their behalf.

Grant Application Guides

Grant Application Orientation (PDF)
An orientation for the COVID-19 Nonpublic School Health and Safety Grants FY20-21 funding announcement and grant application which includes direct links to application resources.
A comprehensive guide to grant application requirements and post-award obligations.
A step-by-step guide to completing a grant application in Egrants. 
A step-by-step guide to completing the Budget Detail section of a grant application.
A guide to completing the Main Summary Information section of a grant application.
A guide to completing the Executive Summary section of a grant application. 
A guide to completing the Program Activities section of a grant application. 
A guide to completing the Project Narrative section of a grant application. 
Attachments (PDF) 
A guide to completing the Required Documents section of a grant application. 
A guide to completing the Performance Indicators section of a grant application.
A step-by-step guide to completing the Procurement Details section of a grant application.
A guide to completing the Approval Checklist section of a grant application.
A guide to completing the Federal Transparency Act Certification section of a grant application.

Additional technical assistance can be found HEREAny questions should be directed to RA-CD-SSSC@pa.gov

Overview

Per Act 30 of 2020, the Pennsylvania General Assembly allocated $7.5 million to the School Safety and Security Fund administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency's School Safety and Security Committee (SSSC) to support COVID-19 Disaster Emergency Targeted School Health and Safety Grants for the 2020-2021 school year. Funding may be awarded to up to 29 intermediate units on behalf of nonpublic schools for targeted health and safety grants to address COVID-19-related health and safety needs.

Budget requests shall be limited to the requirements outlined in Act 30.  Intermediate units are eligible for awards of up to $10,000.  Intermediate units making targeted grant applications on behalf of a combination of nonpublic schools are eligible to apply for up to $10,000 for each nonpublic school.  For example, an intermediate unit applying on behalf of 20 nonpublic schools in its service area is eligible to apply for up to $210,000 (i.e., 20 schools x $10,000 maximum budget + $10,000 for the intermediate unit).  Per Act 30, in carrying out the duties of this application, the intermediate unit may not use more than 2% of the money the intermediate unit receives under this section for targeted grant administration.

Intermediate units requesting funds on behalf of nonpublic schools must include a letter of support from the nonpublic school.  Letters of support should be attached to the application.

A workgroup comprised of representatives from the SSSC and PCCD shall review applications and make recommendations for funding at the July 29, 2020 SSSC meeting.  To ensure geographic distribution of awards as required by 24 P.S. §13-1313-B(d)(2), funding to intermediate units may be allocated based on the average of both the total percentage of the population of the intermediate unit's region and the total percentage of their funding request in comparison to the state. Final award allocations will be determined by the SSSC.

Per 24 P.S. §13-1313-B(b), targeted grant awards to intermediate units on behalf of nonpublic schools shall be to fund the following programs, items or services which address the COVID-19 Disaster Emergency:

  1. Purchasing of cleaning and sanitizing products that meet the centers for disease control and prevention or department of health criteria.
  2. Training and professional development of staff on sanitation and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases.
  3. Purchasing of equipment, including personal protective equipment, thermometers, infrared cameras and other necessary items.
  4. Modification of existing areas to effectuate appropriate social distancing to ensure the health and safety of students and staff.
  5. Providing mental health services and supports, including trauma-informed approaches for students impacted by the COVID-19 disaster emergency.
  6. Purchasing educational technology for distance learning to ensure the continuity of education.
  7. Other health and safety programs, items or services necessary to address the COVID-19 disaster emergency.

Applications must be submitted electronically through PCCD's Egrants system. The application process is limited to an executive summary; selecting the appropriate program activities of eligible activities listed above; a brief project narrative; a broad budget at the time of the application's submittal; and a certification that the applicant will use the funds for the stated purpose in the grant.