Ohio schools have received a significant opportunity to enhance campus safety and emergency preparedness. Attorney General Dave Yost has announced the allocation of nearly $11 million in grant funds for the current academic year, aimed at supporting initiatives related to threat detection, prevention training, and the acquisition of life-saving tools. As authorized through House Bill 33, these funds will enable educational institutions to implement essential critical incident management solutions designed to protect both students and staff.

How Ohio Schools Can Use the Grant Funds to Enhance Security and Critical Incident Management

These grants offer significant flexibility, allowing educational institutions to allocate resources to address their most pressing emergency response and crisis preparedness needs. Eligible applications for these funds include:

Training & Prevention Programs

• School resource officer training for effective law enforcement collaboration.
• Active-shooter response training to improve staff and student preparedness.
• Mental health awareness programs to identify and support at-risk students.
• Educational safety programs tailored for different grade levels.

Safety Technology & Equipment

• Panic button systems for instant emergency communication.
• Gunshot detection technology to speed up law enforcement response.
• Silent panic alarms for discreet emergency alerts.
• License plate reader alerts for vehicles linked to registered sex offenders.
• Real-time camera access for first responders during emergencies.
• Digital alert systems to warn about wanted dangerous individuals.
• Other security-related equipment supporting school safety plans.

Available Funding and Application Details

Schools may qualify for one or both of the following:

• Formula-Based Grants – Schools receive $2,500 or $4.50 per student, whichever is greater.
• Project-Based Grants – Schools can apply for up to $40,000 per district.

Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, making it crucial for schools to submit applications early. The deadline to apply is May 30, 2025. To begin the application process, schools can contact SchoolSafetyGrants@OhioAGO.gov.

Maximize The Benefits of Ohio’s New School Safety Grants

Maximize the benefits of this funding and implement proven safety solutions from 911Cellular. With educational institutions nationwide deploying our solutions and several team members with law enforcement backgrounds, we are well-versed in the unique challenges that schools and emergency responders face when responding to critical incidents. We’ve built our solutions with these challenges in mind, ensuring that schools have the right tools to act quickly and efficiently during emergencies.

When packed together, our safety solutions create a comprehensive, fully connected safety system, covering everything from panic initiation to incident resolution:

• Multiple panic button options – With keyboard panic buttons, wearable panic buttons, wall-mounted panic buttons and mobile safety app options, we have a solution for any educational environment.
• A centralized application and web portal – This allows internal and external emergency responders to manage panic alerts in a central location in real-time.
• Emergency notification software – Ensure critical alerts reach the right people instantly.
• Automated emergency protocol activation (Spark Alert Relay) – Automate lockdowns, access control and other emergency actions within your buildings.

With 911Cellular, schools gain fast, reliable and efficient incident management through a comprehensive safety system that seamlessly integrates with existing infrastructure and various existing safety tools.

Take Action Today to Strengthen Your School’s Emergency Preparedness

This funding provides a crucial opportunity for Ohio schools to improve their campus safety measures, as staff, students, and parents are calling for solutions to the rising severity and frequency of school violence. By investing in panic button technology, training and emergency response systems, schools can proactively reduce risks, enhance crisis outcomes and allow their communities to shift their focus back to education.

Learn why Ohio K-12 schools, colleges and universities—as well as institutions across the country—trust us to provide critical emergency communication solutions. Schedule a demo today!

Tags: “school safety” “ school legislation”