December 10, 2025 − Senator Nick Miller (D–Lehigh/Northampton) applauded today’s PCCD School Safety and Security Committee approval of the FY-2025-26 VIP/BOOST and School Safety and Mental Health Grant Funding frameworks. The goal is to support a wide range of local community violence prevention and intervention strategies. Applications for both programs will be open at a later date.
Earlier this year, Senator Nick Miller was appointed to the School Safety and Security Committee of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), underscoring his commitment to public safety and the well-being of Pennsylvania’s students, educators, and residents. The 2025-2026 budget invests $62,150,000 in PCCD’s VIP line item and $100,000,000 for School Safety and Mental Health Grants.
“Keeping our communities safe and investing in students will always be among my highest priorities. That’s why I fought hard to ensure both programs were funded in this year’s budget,” said Senator Miller. “The program frameworks approved today will provide ample opportunities for local organizations to bolster the safety of our schools and invest in effective violence prevention for our communities. I look forward to continued investments that reflect my commitment to giving Pennsylvanians the foundation they need to grow, achieve, and prosper.”
FY 2025-26 VIP funds can support various activities to reduce community violence, in line with the PA Public School Code and PA Fiscal Code, including six specific program areas.
Eligible Activities:
Youth efforts like mentoring and after-school programs.
Community-wide prevention initiatives such as firearm safety campaigns.
Intervention programs targeting individuals at highest risk of violence, including street outreach, hospital-based interventions, and domestic violence prevention.
Trauma-informed services for victims of gun violence.
System improvements and innovation that strengthen coordination, planning, and new anti-violence strategies across local agencies.
The approved School Safety and Mental Health Funding Framework allocates $100 million for School Safety and Mental Health Grants for public schools in the 2025-26 budget. Eligible entities include school districts, career and technical schools, intermediate units, and charter schools. Funds can be used for physical security enhancements, behavioral health supports, or both, determined by school entities.
For more information about the School Safety and Security Committee and its initiatives, visit the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency website at www.pccd.pa.gov.
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