CFDA Number: 84.184E
Program Type: Discretionary/Competitive Grants

This grant program is designed to provide funds to LEAs to strengthen and improve their emergency response and crisis plans, at the district and school-building level. Grantees are required to address all four phases of crisis planning: prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. In addition, LEAs are required to form partnerships and collaborate with community organizations, local law enforcement agencies, heads of local governments, and offices of public safety, health, and mental health as they review and revise school crisis plans. Plans must be coordinated with state or local homeland security plans and support implementation of the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

Grant funds may be used for the following activities: training school safety teams and students; conducting building and facilities audits; communicating emergency response policies to parents and guardians; implementing an Incident Command System (ICS); purchasing school safety equipment (to a limited extent); conducting drills and tabletop simulation exercises; and preparing and distributing copies of crisis plans.