Secured School Safety Grant

The Secured School Safety Grant program is administered by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and was established through state legislation to enhance the safety and security of schools throughout Indiana. Codified in Indiana Code 10-21, the program represents a dedicated state funding initiative designed to support both preventive and responsive safety measures within educational environments. It provides financial assistance to eligible school entities to address a wide range of safety concerns, from physical infrastructure improvements to personnel and training needs. The primary objective of the program is to provide matching grant funds to school corporations, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and coalitions of school corporations located within Indiana. These funds are intended to support initiatives that improve school safety and emergency preparedness. Applicants are required to contribute a matching share of the requested funding, with the percentage determined by factors such as student enrollment and total funding requested. This cost-sharing structure ensures that local entities maintain investment and accountability in the implementation of safety measures. The scope of allowable uses for grant funding is broad and encompasses multiple categories of safety enhancement. Schools may use funds to employ school resource officers or law enforcement officers, conduct site vulnerability assessments, and implement critical incident mapping systems. Funding may also be allocated toward purchasing equipment, hardware, and technology that improves access control, enhances communication systems, facilitates rapid emergency response, and detects potential threats such as fire, chemical hazards, or unauthorized entry. Additional uses include student support services, emergency alert systems, and safety management technologies. In addition to operational and technological improvements, the program supports training and preparedness initiatives. Funds may be used to provide training for school personnel and law enforcement officers, including expenses related to travel, lodging, and per diem. Schools may also invest in canine detection programs for drugs, explosives, or firearms, as well as implement bullying prevention programs and other student safety initiatives. The program also allows for capital expenditures, including the design and construction of facility additions or renovations when the primary purpose is to enhance school security. Eligibility for the program requires applicants to meet several statutory prerequisites prior to submission. Applicants must have conducted a site vulnerability assessment for each school building and must maintain a memorandum of understanding with a qualified community mental health provider to support student behavioral health services. Additional pre-application requirements include registration in the state’s IntelliGrants system, as well as active supplier and bidder registration with the state of Indiana. Applicants must also certify that their school safety plan has been reviewed and that they operate within a county that maintains a school safety commission. The application process for the current funding cycle opens on June 1, 2026, and closes on June 30, 2026. Applications must be submitted through the designated grants management system in accordance with the program guidelines. The performance period for awarded grants runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027. While specific evaluation criteria are not detailed in the available materials, funding decisions are expected to align with the program’s objectives of improving school safety infrastructure, preparedness, and response capabilities. Overall, the Secured School Safety Grant program provides a comprehensive and structured funding opportunity for Indiana schools to enhance safety measures across multiple domains. By combining financial support with clearly defined eligibility requirements and a wide range of allowable expenditures, the program enables schools to implement tailored solutions that address both immediate security needs and long-term safety planning.