FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 16, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT: Mike Steele | [email protected] | 225-788-0095
BATON ROUGE (June 14, 2024) – Today, Louisiana's commitment to ensuring safe and secure learning environments for all students takes a significant stride forward with the announcement of new School Safety Grants. These grants, a testament to the state's unwavering dedication to the well-being of its children, aim to bolster safety measures and emergency preparedness in schools across the state.
In response to the ever-evolving landscape of safety concerns facing educational institutions, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and the Louisiana Safe School Center have allocated $5 million in funding for this crucial initiatives. This investment underscores the state's proactive approach to safeguarding students, faculty, and staff, providing them with the necessary resources to thrive in a secure environment.
“Everyone must be involved to support and strengthen efforts to ensure school safety,” stressed GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibodeaux. “Our team is encouraged by the proposal submitted and anticipate great strides to boosting preventive and protective measures to support campuses.”
In total, GOHSEP awarded 126 projects in 40 parishes. Each project will receive up to $50,000. These funds were made available with a competitive Notice of Funding through the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools and state general funds.
"On behalf of the Governor and GOHSEP Director, we would like to thank our state legislators and the members of the School Safety Advisory Committee for approving our grant allocation" stated Euclid Talley, Assistant Director of GOHSEP's Security & Interoperability Division. The announcement of these grants reflects Louisiana's proactive stance in prioritizing the safety and well-being of its students. By investing in comprehensive safety measures and proactive strategies, the state is not only mitigating risks but also fostering environments where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
GOHSEP Director Jacques Thibodeaux expressed his commitment to ensuring the success of this initiative, stating, "Our children deserve to learn in environments that are safe, nurturing, and conducive to their growth. These grants represent a significant step towards achieving that vision, and I commend the dedication of all those involved in making it a reality."
This is the latest effort to fund 126 local school initiatives to enhance school safety. This grant announcement is made now so that schools and their community partners can maximize efforts for this coming school year.
Please follow GOHSEP’s social media accounts on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and LinkedIn. The GOHSEP Get A Game Plan Podcast is another resource available to help you and your family prepare for any type emergency. You can download the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide and find other preparedness information at www.getagameplan.org.
