Overview

Article XIII-B (School Safety and Security) of the Public School Code of 1949 created the School Safety and Security Committee (SSSC) within PCCD.  The SSSC was tasked with developing the criteria school entities are to use in performing school safety and security assessments, issuing a survey to school entities to measure school safety and security preparedness, and administering grants.  Recent amendments by Act 18 of 2019 and Act 67 of 2019 included the development of a model trauma-informed approach plan; model trainings for threat assessment teams; and set training requirements for school resource officers (SROs), school police officers (SPOs) and school security guards.

Overviews of Act 44 of 2018 (pdf) and Act 18 of 2019, which created and amended Article XIII-B, are available.  A joint guidance issued by both the PA Department of Education and PCCD is available for more information about the training requirements of Act 67.  If you have any questions, please submit them to RA-CD-SSSC@pa.gov. 

School Safety and Security Grant Program Information

On April 30, 2019, the SSSC approved $40 million in School Safety and Security Grant Program (Part B: Competitive Application) awards to 234 grant recipients.  A full listing of those awards can be found here: School Safety and Security Grant Program and Community Violence Prevention/Reduction Grant Recipients (April 30, 2019).

For FY19-20, two separate funding announcements for School Safety and Security Grant Program funding were released on September 9, 2019 and can be found on PCCD's website HERE. The first application, the "2019/20 School Safety and Security – Meritorious" funding announcement, is available for school districts only; the second application, the "2019/20 School Safety and Security – Competitive" funding announcement, is available for all other school entities eligible to apply (i.e., a school district, intermediate unit, area career and technical school, , charter school, cyber charter school, regional charter school, approved private school, chartered school for the education of the deaf or blind or private residential rehabilitation institution). 

Grant Guides are immediately available for assistance with the application process and general grant administration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) will also be available to provide additional information for potential applicants.

Community Violence Prevention/Reduction Grant Program

24 P.S. §13-1306-B(i) allows for a portion of the school safety and security funding to be set-aside annually to support community violence prevention/reduction grants.  Eligible entities that can apply for this funding are municipalities (including counties), institutions of higher education, and community organizations.  On April 30, 2019, the SSSC approved 25 awards under this program for a total of $7.5 million (School Safety and Security Grant Program and Community Violence Prevention/Reduction Grant Recipients (April 30, 2019). 

For FY19-20, the "2020 Community Violence Prevention/Reduction" solicitation was released on September 9, 2019.

Although they are specific to School Safety Grants, the Grant Guides are available for assistance with the application process and general grant administration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) will also be available to provide additional information for potential applicants.

School Safety and Security Assessment Criteria

On September 26, 2018, the SSSC adopted an initial set of criteria to assist schools in guiding their school safety and security assessment, which is a strategic evaluation of a school's facilities and programs used to identify potential safety and security threats.  Assessments are to include consideration of the safety and security of a school's physical environment, climate and behavioral health environment, and related policies and trainings. 

The school safety assessment criteria is a compilation of best practices and recommendations as developed by experts on the SSSC and additional workgroup members. 

School Safety and Security Assessment Criteria Overview – This guide is intended to address some frequently asked questions about the School Safety and Security Assessment Criteria below. In addition, the guide will aid both school entities and school safety and security assessors in how to best utilize the School Safety and Security Assessment Criteria.

                School Safety and Security Assessment Criteria

School Safety Assessment Provider Registry

On September 26, 2018, the SSSC adopted criteria for the registration of individuals with knowledge and experience in matters of school safety and security that qualifies a person to conduct assessments based upon the Committee's adopted assessment criteria (Registration Criteria). 

If you are interested in applying to be included on the provider registry, please visit our School Safety Provider Registry webpage to submit your initial application for consideration by the Committee.

If you are a school entity interested in locating an approved provider, use our Provider Registry.

Model Trauma-Informed Approach Plan

Act 18 of 2019 amended Article XIII-B to require any school entity applying for a School Safety and Security grant under 24 P.S. §13-1306-B(j)(21) (i.e., trauma-informed approaches to education) to utilize a Model Trauma-Informed Approach Plan adopted by the SSSC.  Applicants may utilize their own existing plan, provided it meets the SSSC's Model Plan criteria, or may seek funding to support the development of their own plan.  A link to the Model Plan and additional resources can be found HERE.

Training for School Resource Officers, School Police Officers and School Security Guards

Act 67 of 2019 requires all school security personnel take the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) Basic School Resource Officer Course or an equivalent course as determined by PCCD.  More information on what the law entails can be found in this updated joint guidance issued by PDE and PCCD on February 5, 2020.  

PCCD has not yet identified an equivalent training to the Basic SRO Course of Instruction. Should PCCD approve an equivalent training, that information will be posted on this webpage and communicated to school safety coordinators via email.

In the meantime, NASRO is working with PDE and PCCD to accommodate the training needs in the Commonwealth. Currently, there are several NASRO Basic SRO courses available throughout the state. Please go to the following link to register for a course: https://nasro.org/training/.