COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today that $11.77 million in safety grants is available to schools throughout the state for the 2023-24 school year. Additionally, a limited number of innovation grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded to schools that implement technology linking them with law enforcement agencies for improved safety, crime prevention, and response.
In a statement, AG Yost said, “Every second counts when law enforcement is responding to a crisis in our schools – and every dollar we can provide can help buy time to save lives.”
The innovation grants can be used for one building or multiple buildings within a district and can be used for crisis-response technology such as immediate camera access for responding law enforcement, silent panic alarms, shot detection technology, license plate reader alerts for registered sex offender vehicles, protection order alert systems, and wanted dangerous person alert systems.
In addition to the innovation grants, Ohio schools are eligible for safety grants of $2,500 or $5.50 per student, whichever amount is greater. The funding is intended to give school leaders flexibility in determining how best to improve student safety and can be used for certification training for a school resource officer, active-shooter or school-safety training or equipment, educational resources for all grade levels, training to identify and assist students with mental health issues, school supplies or equipment related to school safety or for implementing a school-safety plan, or any other training related to school safety.
Public schools, charter schools, educational service centers, STEM schools, and schools operated by county boards of developmental disabilities can apply for grant funding, which comes from House Bill 110. Grant applications may be submitted via the Ohio Grants Portal, and the deadline for applications is February 28, 2023.
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