Find Resources to Create a Safer School
SchoolSafety.gov was created by the federal government to provide schools and districts with actionable recommendations to create safe and supportive learning environments for students and educators.
Latest News
Justice Department Releases Webinar on Designing Accessible Public Schools
In response to a recent Government Accountability Office report, the Justice Department, in consultation with the U.S. Department of Education, recently developed a virtual training on designing accessible public school buildings. The training video describes accessibility features schools should consider to ensure they are accessible to students with disabilities as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Learn More
CISA Announces Speakers for 2024 National Summit on K-12 School Safety and Security
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced final event details and keynote speakers for the 2024 National Summit on K-12 School Safety and Security, scheduled to take place on September 25 and 26. This year’s event will feature more than 35 school safety experts and practitioners along with keynote addresses by Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, CISA Director Jen Easterly, and CISA Executive Assistant Director Dr. David Mussington. Through the virtual Summit, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of critical school safety issues and how to address them in their own schools and communities. Registration will close on the morning of September 25. Learn More and Register
FCC Announces Application Filing Window for Cybersecurity Pilot Program
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that the application filing window for the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program will open on September 17 and close on November 1. During the application filing window, eligible schools, libraries, and consortia can apply to participate in the three-year, $200 million pilot by completing Part 1 of the FCC Form 484 to provide information about their cybersecurity needs, experience, and plans to use the funding. Applicants selected to participate in the program will be eligible to seek reimbursement for a wide variety of cybersecurity services and equipment. Learn More
September is National Suicide Prevention Month
National Suicide Prevention Month is observed annually to raise awareness of lifesaving actions and resources that can prevent suicide. Schools are critical partners in supporting the mental health and well-being of students and can provide services that address prevention, intervention, and treatment needs of those experiencing mental health challenges or crises. Get involved in National Suicide Prevention Month by learning about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and accessing school-specific suicide prevention resources on SchoolSafety.gov. Learn More
Start a Conversation on Emergency Preparedness This National Preparedness Month
September is National Preparedness Month, an annual campaign that emphasizes how preparing for emergencies and disasters can help keep families and communities safe. Starting a conversation on emergency planning and preparedness can help members of the K-12 community take actions to prepare and build resilience before disaster strikes. This month and throughout the year, parents, educators, and other members of the school community can use SchoolSafety.gov’s emergency planning resources and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Ready Kids to learn more about disaster preparedness. Learn More
Federal Government Announces Awards and Funding Opportunities for Multiple Grant Programs
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced recipients and allocations for multiple grants and funding opportunities, including several programs available to the K-12 community. These awards included $34 million in grant funding from EPA to reduce indoor air pollution in schools; $65 million from SAMHSA to address mental health and substance use crises; and nearly $724 million from DHS to support emergency preparedness, including $454 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which provides funding for physical security enhancements for nonprofit organizations at high risk of a terrorist attack. Explore Grants
SAMHSA Shares Tips and Resources to Support Student Mental Health During Back-to-School Season
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) published information on mental health and wellness tools and resources to help prepare children for the stressors and challenges they may face during the school year. These resources cover issues such as youth online safety, ensuring positive behavioral health in schools, and supporting student mental wellness, and include the "Talk. They Hear You."® Campaign, the Kids Online Health and Safety Task Force Report, and the 988 Lifeline. Explore Tips and Resource
Resource Spotlight
Learn About Safe Storage of Firearms
Safe storage practices can help prevent firearms from being accessed by at-risk individuals. This guide provides information on different types of storage devices and best practices for safely storing firearms. Principals and district administrators may also use this customizable letter template to provide parents, families, guardians, and caregivers with important information about safe firearm storage.
School Safety Topics
Access the following topics for resources, guidance, and information to help you create a safer school. From each of these topic pages, you can sort resources available based upon stages of preparedness and subtopics.
Upcoming Opportunities
Learn about upcoming events, grants, and other opportunities for your school or district.
Discover upcoming school safety events and grants below to help support your school’s or school district’s safety efforts.
Grants
October
10
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program - State Solicitation
Learn More
October
16
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program - Local Solicitation
Learn More
Events
September
19
Making Sense of Health Privacy Laws: HIPAA and FERPA for School-Based Health Professionals
Learn More
September
25
Answering the Call: Empowering Communities to Prevent Suicide Among Black Youth
Learn More
Tools to Get Started
Start with these tools to discover the right resources for your school
Grants Finder Tool
Use the Grants Finder Tool to find applicable funding opportunities to help keep your school community safe.
State Search Tool
Discover your state’s school safety programs and regional contacts from federal agencies. These contacts and programs can be a resource to you as you build your school safety plan.
Resource Search
Find resources, like guidance, training, or fact sheets, that are vetted by SchoolSafety.gov.
Safety Readiness Tool
Identify the efforts you’re taking to address the foundational elements of school safety. Get a personalized action plan with next steps and resources for your school to consider.
Communications Center
Download and share the latest SchoolSafety.gov one-pagers, issue briefs, newsletters, and virtual training materials.