The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has announced nearly $20 million in state grants for mental health programs and safety improvements across 367 private schools, including religious institutions, in Pennsylvania. These grants are part of a larger $120 million initiative aimed at bolstering school-based mental health resources and enhancing security measures.
This funding marks the culmination of a program approved by the state’s General Assembly and Governor Josh Shapiro as part of Pennsylvania’s 2024-2025 budget. The initiative also includes $100 million in awards distributed among 779 public school entities, such as school districts, charter schools, intermediate units, and career and technical schools, under the oversight of the PCCD’s School Safety and Security Committee.
Prioritizing Mental Health and Safety in Schools
Governor Shapiro emphasized the importance of addressing student mental health challenges, a key priority during his administration. “I’ve listened to our kids as they’ve told me about their mental health struggles – that’s why my administration is getting real help to students all across Pennsylvania quickly,” he said in a statement.
Grant funding has already supported mental health resources and enabled law enforcement and security professionals to mitigate safety concerns in schools. Examples of these initiatives include Conemaugh Township in Somerset County hiring school police officers and mental health clinicians and the Bellefonte Area School District in Centre County purchasing communication equipment for security staff and social workers, as reported by the PCCD.
Addressing Alarming Statistics on Student Mental Health
The urgency of these measures is underscored by findings from the PCCD’s 2021 Pennsylvania Youth Survey, which revealed that 40% of student respondents reported symptoms of depression. Additionally, approximately 75% of calls to the state’s Safe2Say Something anonymous school safety tip line were requests for help—either directly from students or on behalf of their peers.
In May 2023, Governor Shapiro introduced a five-year, $500 million plan to further expand mental health resources for students. The initiative aims to embed more robust mental health support directly within schools, providing a critical response to the growing need for such services.
Supporting Learning Through Safety and Security
Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, who chairs the PCCD and the School Safety and Security Committee, highlighted the comprehensive goals of the program. “Our kids can’t focus on learning if we aren’t meeting the basic need for safety within the walls of their schools and making sure students’ mental health needs are met,” Davis said.
He described the initiative as more than just financial assistance, calling it an investment in student well-being and a source of reassurance for families and educators. “The Shapiro-Davis Administration is committed to helping schools create spaces where students feel protected, valued, and ready to learn,” Davis added.
Closing Funding Gaps for Pennsylvania Schools
The $120 million grant program is part of a broader $1.1 billion increase in education funding in Pennsylvania. This package includes targeted support for the state’s underfunded school districts, addressing inequities highlighted by a 2023 Commonwealth Court ruling that deemed the state’s reliance on property taxes unconstitutional due to its disproportionate impact on poorer districts.
In line with new education policies, schools are now required to employ security personnel, who may be armed, with grant funds available to cover these costs. This mandate aims to ensure that all schools, regardless of their financial resources, can maintain a baseline level of security for their students.
By prioritizing both safety and mental health, Pennsylvania’s leaders hope to create environments where students can thrive academically and emotionally, paving the way for a stronger, more equitable education system statewide.
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