School Safety Enhancement

Background
The Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is soliciting applications for the School Safety Enhancement (SSE) program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The SSE program aims to provide competitive grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) to develop, implement, and strengthen statewide school safety systems and enhance the physical security of schools. This initiative is in response to findings from the U.S. Department of Justice report on school safety.

Grant Details
The SSE program supports States in implementing evidence-based school safety measures, which include: improving school infrastructure security, strengthening emergency response planning and coordination, and enhancing training for school personnel and School Resource Officers (SROs). Key priorities include: secured and monitored school entry points; functional door-locking systems; coordinated incident command structures; clear emergency response protocols; enhanced training for personnel; and regular safety drills aligned with best practices.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants are State educational agencies (SEAs) as defined in 20 U.S.C. 7801(49). Only one application per State is permitted. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds.

Period of Performance
The project period is up to 36 months.

Grant Value
The estimated range of awards is between $500,000 and $5,000,000 per project period, with an estimated total available fund of $93,000,000 for approximately 30 awards.

Place of Performance
The grant will be performed at various locations within the States as determined by the SEAs.