$9 Million in Grants Made Available to Enhance Safety in Ohio Schools

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has announced that $9.01 million in grant funding is now available to help schools strengthen student and staff safety for the 2026-27 academic year. The funding, approved by the 136th General Assembly as part of House Bill 96, offers school leaders across the state the flexibility to address a wide range of security needs – from mental-health support to rapid emergency response tools.

“Safety isn’t optional – it’s essential,” Yost said. “This funding helps schools across Ohio take real steps to protect students and staff.”

What the Funding Covers

Districts can apply the grant funds toward multiple initiatives, including:

• Silent panic alarm systems and real-time alert tools
• Safety-related supplies or technology
• Certification training for school resource officers
• Active-shooter response training and equipment
• Educational safety resources for all grade levels
• Mental-health intervention training
• Gunshot detection and camera access integration for law enforcement
• Automated license-plate and wanted-person alerts

Each district is eligible to apply for one or both of the following grants:

• A formula-based grant of $2,500 or $4.50 per student (whichever is greater), and/or
• A program-based grant of up to $40,000 for eligible safety projects

Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, and the deadline to apply is May 29, 2026. Both applications can be submitted through the Ohio Grants Portal under “Funding Opportunities.”

Strengthening Response with Connected Safety Systems

For Ohio schools seeking to maximize this new funding, 911Cellular delivers the integrated protection that significantly improve response times and response times

From silent panic alarms to coordinated communications for responders, 911Cellular’s connected safety ecosystem helps districts meet grant priorities while building a safer environment for every student and staff member.

• BadgeR+– a wearable panic button that clips to a lanyard or badge reel, providing staff members with quick access to help and multiple ways to alert with customizable incident types.
• Computer Panic Button– provides a fast, reliable way to alert safety teams directly from classroom desktops or laptops with a simple keystroke or mouse click using customizable hot keys.
• Wall-Mounted Panic Button– a widely accessible, hardwired option for classrooms, offices, and common areas, allowing staff, students, or visitors to trigger alerts with a single press.
• Mobile Safety App– empowers teachers, staff, and even students to discreetly request help from a smartphone, smartwatch, or tablet in the classroom or on the move.
• Emergency Notification System– rapidly sends alerts to customizable groups of staff, students, and parents for emergencies or routine updates.
• Public Safety Hub– centralizes alerts, maps, and communication to enable real-time situational awareness.

These tools directly support Ohio’s funding priorities, empowering districts to respond faster, coordinate seamlessly with first responders, and confidently meet compliance standards.

Ready to Apply?

Ohio school districts can learn more about the available safety grants and start applications today through the Ohio Grants Portal.

Exploring funding-eligible safety technologies? Connect with our in-house safety experts to see how 911Cellular’s solutions fit your district’s needs and funding priorities: schedule a call!

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Readers should verify eligibility requirements and application details directly through official state sources before applying for any funding.