School Violence Prevention Grant Program

School Violence Prevention Program Summary

The School Violence Prevention Program is a program created to help prevent violence in schools. It provides funding and resources to schools to help them create a safer environment for students, teachers, and staff.

Here are some things that the School Violence Prevention Program can do:

• It can provide money to schools to train teachers, students, and staff to recognize warning signs of violence and how to report them.
• It can also help schools improve their security, such as adding cameras or locks on doors to prevent unauthorized access.
• The program can help schools develop emergency response plans for situations like school shootings, and it can provide resources to support students who have been affected by violence.

The goal of the School Violence Prevention Program is to make schools a safer and more secure place for everyone. By giving schools the tools and resources they need to prevent violence, the program helps to create a positive and safe school environment where students can learn and thrive without fear.

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SVPP Grant Timeline

The School Violence Prevention Program is currently open but don't forget about the strict timeline for this program:

• The FY 23 School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) will close on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 4:59 PM ET.
• Applications will be submitted in a two-step process, each with its own deadline:

1. STEP 1: Submit an SF-424 and an SF-LLL in Grants.gov
2. STEP 2: Submit the full application including attachments in JustGrants.

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SVPP Funding Available

Up to $73 million in funding is available for FY23 SVPP. Each award is three years (36 months) in duration for a maximum federal share of $500,000 per award. There is a local cash match (cost share) requirement of at least 25 percent.

SVPP funding will provide up to 75% funding for the following school safety measures in and around K-12 (primary and secondary) schools and school grounds:

• “Coordination with law enforcement”
• “Training for local law enforcement officers to prevent student violence against others and self”
• “Metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures”
• “Technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement during an emergency”
• “Any other measure that the COPS Office determines may provide a significant improvement in security”

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How Law Enforcement Agencies Utilize The SVPP Grant Program

The School Violence Prevention Program provides funding to law enforcement agencies to help prevent violence in schools and make a positive impact in their community. Here are some examples of how law enforcement agencies can use the funds from this grant:

1. Training and education programs: Law enforcement agencies can use the funds to provide training and education programs for school resource officers, school officials, and teachers on how to recognize and respond to signs of violence. This training can help prevent incidents of violence and improve safety in schools.
2. Prevention and intervention programs: Law enforcement agencies can use the funds to implement prevention and intervention programs that aim to identify and help students who may be at risk of violent behavior. These programs may involve counseling, mental health services, or other support services to address underlying issues that may contribute to violent behavior.
3. Technology and equipment: Law enforcement agencies can use the funds to purchase technology and equipment to enhance school safety, such as cameras, alarms, and secure entry systems.
4. Partnerships and collaboration: Law enforcement agencies can use the funds to establish partnerships and collaboration with schools, community organizations, and other stakeholders to develop and implement strategies to prevent violence and promote safety.

By using these funds to implement effective strategies, law enforcement agencies can make a positive impact in their community by reducing incidents of violence in schools and creating a safe and secure learning environment for students, teachers, and staff.

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Why Law Enforcement Agencies Should Apply for the SVPP Grant

Eligible law enforcement agencies, state law enforcement agencies, local governments, school districts, and tribal agencies should apply for a grant from the School Violence Prevention Program because it provides critical resources and funding to help prevent violence in schools and improve school safety.

Here are some reasons why police departments and schools should apply for a grant:

1. Funding for training and education: The grant provides funding to train teachers, school personnel, and law enforcement officers on how to recognize and respond to warning signs of violence, which can help prevent violent incidents in schools.
2. Funding for prevention and intervention programs: The grant provides funding for programs that identify and address the underlying issues that may contribute to violent behavior in schools, such as mental health issues or social isolation.
3. Funding for technology and equipment: The grant provides funding to improve school security measures, such as installing cameras, alarms, and secure entry systems, which can help deter violence and ensure that students and staff feel safe.
4. Partnership opportunities: The grant provides opportunities for police departments and schools to collaborate and partner with each other to develop and implement effective strategies to prevent violence and promote safety.

Overall, applying for a grant from the School Violence Prevention Program can help police departments and schools to create a safer and more secure learning environment for students, teachers, and staff. By providing critical resources and funding, the grant can help to prevent violent incidents and promote positive school climates, which can have a long-term impact on the well-being and success of students.

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SVPP Relationship to the STOP School Violence Act

The STOP School Violence Act of 2018 and the School Violence Prevention Grant Program are related in that the Act created the grant program to provide funding for prevention and response strategies to reduce violence in schools.

The STOP School Violence Act provides a framework for addressing school violence by promoting the development and implementation of evidence-based programs, practices, and technologies that can prevent and mitigate school violence. The School Violence Prevention Grant Program is one of the key tools for implementing the Act by providing funding to schools, law enforcement agencies, and other eligible entities to support school safety initiatives.

The School Violence Prevention Grant Program focuses on providing funding to support evidence-based prevention and response strategies, such as training for school personnel, threat assessments, and the implementation of anonymous reporting systems. These strategies align with the goals and objectives of the STOP School Violence Act by promoting early intervention, prevention, and the implementation of best practices to reduce school violence.

Overall, the STOP School Violence Act and the School Violence Prevention Grant Program work together to create a comprehensive approach to preventing school violence. The Act provides a framework for addressing school violence at the national level, while the grant program provides resources and funding to support the implementation of effective strategies at the local level.

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STOP School Violence Act Summary

The STOP School Violence Act of 2018 is a law in the United States that was created to help prevent violence in schools.

Here's how it works:

• The law provides funding to schools so they can train teachers and students to recognize warning signs of violence and to report them to the right people.
• It also gives schools money to improve their security, like adding cameras or locks on doors.
• The law encourages schools to work with law enforcement officers to help prevent violence before it happens.

The STOP School Violence Act is designed to make schools safer for everyone by stopping violence before it starts.

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Goals of the STOP School Violence Act

The main goal of the STOP School Violence Act of 2018 is to improve school safety and prevent violence in schools. The act aims to achieve this goal by providing funding and resources to schools to:

1. Train students, school personnel, and law enforcement officers to identify and intervene when there are signs of potential violence in schools.
2. Improve school security measures, such as installing metal detectors, locks, and other safety equipment to prevent unauthorized access to schools.
3. Develop and implement technology and reporting systems to provide anonymous reporting mechanisms to encourage students and others to report suspicious behavior or threats of violence.
4. Provide resources to schools for intervention and response strategies that include counseling, mental health services, and support for victims of violence.

Overall, the goal of the STOP School Violence Act is to promote a safer school environment where students, teachers, and staff feel safe and protected. By addressing the root causes of violence in schools and implementing effective prevention and response strategies, the act aims to reduce incidents of violence and create a positive school climate.

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STOP School Violence Act's Impact and Results

The STOP School Violence Act of 2018 is a relatively new law, so it is still too early to determine its full impact on society. However, since its enactment, it has provided resources and funding to help prevent violence in schools.

For example, schools can now use the funding to train their staff and students to recognize the warning signs of violence and how to respond to them. This training can help to prevent violent incidents from occurring in the first place.

Additionally, schools can use the funding to improve their security measures, such as installing cameras and locks on doors. These measures can help to deter violence and ensure that students and staff feel safe and protected.

The law also encourages schools to work with law enforcement officers to prevent violence. This collaboration can help to identify potential threats and take action to prevent them from becoming a reality.

Overall, the STOP School Violence Act of 2018 has the potential to make schools safer for everyone. Its impact will depend on how well schools and law enforcement agencies implement its provisions and use the resources provided by the law.

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STOP School Violence Act's Grant Funding Opportunities

Eligible agencies can apply for funding created by the STOP School Violence Act of 2018 through the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

Here are the steps to apply for funding:

1. Visit the BJA website to learn more about the funding opportunities available under the STOP School Violence Act.
2. Determine if your agency is eligible to apply for the funding. Eligible agencies include state and local governments, law enforcement agencies, and school districts.
3. Review the specific requirements and guidelines for each funding opportunity. These can vary depending on the program.
4. Prepare your application, including a detailed project description, a budget, and any supporting documentation required.
5. Submit your application online through the BJA's Grants Management System (GMS).
6. Monitor the status of your application through the GMS and respond promptly to any requests for additional information or clarification.

It's important to note that the availability and amount of funding under the STOP School Violence Act can vary from year to year, so it's important to check the BJA website regularly for updates on funding opportunities.

Interested in more funding opportunities for your law enforcement agency? You can check out all available grants in our 2023-2024 Law Enforcement Grants web page.

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Additional Resources on STOP School Violence Act and School Violence Prevention Grant Program

The following resources present important lessons learned and other insights into school violence that may aid governments and communities as they develop and refine school safety plans. Applicants seeking SVPP funding may find these and other resources helpful as they prepare their applications.

1. School Safety: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Department of Education (ED), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) created SchoolSafety.gov to share actionable recommendations to keep school communities safe. SchoolSafety.gov aims to help schools prevent, protect, mitigate, respond to, and recover from emergency situations.
2. The Final Report and Finding of the Safe School Initiative: The Safe School Initiative sought to identify information that could be obtainable, or "knowable," prior to an attack. That information would then be analyzed and evaluated to produce a factual, accurate knowledge base on targeted school attacks. This knowledge could be used to help communities across the country to formulate policies and strategies aimed at preventing school-based attacks.
3. U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center: On July 12, 2018, the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center released Enhancing School Safety Using a Threat Assessment Model: An Operational Guide for Preventing Targeted School Violence to provide fundamental direction on how to prevent incidents of targeted school violence. The guide provides schools and communities with a framework to identify students of concern, assess their risk for engaging in violence, and identify intervention strategies to mitigate that risk.
4. Free Grant Writing Assistance: Apex Officer has partnered with grant writing and government funding experts to help eligible law enforcement agencies prepare their grant submissions. You can begin the process and speak with a grant writer for free today.

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Conclusion

The School Violence Prevention Program and the STOP School Violence Act of 2018 provide a positive impact within our communities by promoting school safety, preventing violence, and creating a positive learning environment for students. The funding and resources provided by these programs support evidence-based prevention and response strategies, such as training for school personnel, security improvements, and technology implementation. By working together, these programs help to create a comprehensive approach to school safety, addressing the root causes of school violence and providing critical resources to support effective prevention and intervention strategies. Ultimately, the School Violence Prevention Program and the STOP School Violence Act of 2018 contribute to the well-being of our communities by creating a safer, more secure, and more positive learning environment for students, teachers, and staff.