One of the initiatives implemented by the Ohio General Assembly in the last term was the funding of school safety training grants. The funding is awarded to public and private schools by the Office of the Attorney General of Ohio (OhioAGO), in consultation with the Director of Education and Workforce and the Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services. According to House Bill 33, the funds are available to make grants to schools and law enforcement agencies to support:
- School resource officer certification training.
- Any type of active shooter and school safety training or equipment.
- All grade level type educational resources.
- Training to identify and assist students with mental health issues.
- School supplies or equipment related to school safety or for implementing the school’s safety plan.
- Any other training related to school safety.
The bill requires schools to work or contract with the county sheriff’s office or a local police department in whose jurisdiction they are located to develop the funded program and training for most of these initiatives.
Earlier this month, Ohio AG Dave Yost announced that nearly $11 million in safety grants are being awarded for the current academic year. In addition to the purposes described in HB 33, OhioAGO identified other possible uses for the funds, including systems allowing immediate camera access to responding law enforcement officers, silent panic alarms, gunshot detection technology, license plate reader alerts for vehicles belonging to registered sex offenders, and alert systems warning of wanted dangerous individuals.
The window to apply for grants is currently open and closes on May 30, 2025. However, grants are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and OhioAGO encourages prompt submission of applications.
Two different types of grants will be awarded:
- Formula-based grants of $2,5000 or $4.50 per student, whichever is greater.
- Project-based grants of up to $40,000 per district, regardless of the number of students.
More information about grants is available from SchoolSafetyGrants@OhioAGO.gov.