New PCCD Grant Update: $100,000 Instant Funding for School Safety

There’s an exciting update to the PCCD School Safety and Security Grant Program that has just  opened for applications until Thursday, September 26, 2024.

The new PCCD school safety grant is formula-based and noncompetitive. This makes it even easier for schools to qualify for grant funding. To qualify, schools must first meet the Level 1 Baseline Criteria for physical security, and after that schools will be awarded a base grant of $100,000. They can also earn additional funding based on their 2022-2023 adjusted Average Daily Membership (ADM).

Applications will be reviewed and approved on a rolling basis – as soon as you get your application in, you can start planning your security upgrades.

Eligible Funding for School Emergency Communications

Under Article 12 of the PCCD school safety grant, special emergency communications equipment is considered an eligible security-related technology. This would cover panic alarms, help buttons and emergency notification intercom systems. With Alyssa’s Law making its way through the Pennsylvania House, now is the time to plan the funding for your school emergency communications.

Alyssa's Law is named after 14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff, who was tragically killed in the 2018 Parkland school shooting. The law mandates the installation of silent panic alarms in schools to directly connect with law enforcement, improving emergency response times. Already enacted in six states, including New York and New Jersey, it is now progressing in Pennsylvania. The bill would require all public schools to install these alarms and conduct regular training. The law aims to fill gaps in current school safety measures.

Schools would need to allocate resources for these systems, with potential state and federal funding available. Implementing Alyssa’s Law in Pennsylvania could significantly enhance school safety by reducing response times during emergencies.

Telecor eSeries Public Address and Intercom Solutions

A product that we recommend is Telecor’s eSeries Public Address and Intercom Solution. This is because many schools already use Telecor for public address, such as bells, clocks and paging; adding panic alarms to that same notification network is typically an expedient upgrade.

Most of all, what we like is the real-time map-based reporting. In the event of a school-wide emergency, you can see immediately which classrooms have triggered the panic button, which classrooms have marked themselves as safe, and which have signaled that they have evacuated. Telecor integrates nicely with the Genetec security platform too, so law enforcement can instantly gain that same visibility.

Please do reach out to us if you need pricing or any other physical security information for your grant application. We service schools across Western PA and are deeply familiar with their needs. You can check out our K-12 portfolio at www.descomm.com/k-12