September 15, 2023 - Indiana, PA
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) Executive Director Mike Pennington visited Indiana Area School District (IASD) to highlight their work with School Mental Health & Safety and Security funding provided through PCCD's School Safety and Security Committee, and to encourage schools to participate in the 2023-24 Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS)."Keeping Pennsylvania youth safe and healthy is a top priority of the Shapiro-Davis Administration," Pennington stated. "Our kids can't learn if they don't feel safe within the walls of their school. It was great to hear first-hand from staff and students at Indiana Area School District about the great work being done to support students and make learning environments safer now and in the future."Since 2018, PCCD has awarded nearly $500 million through the School Safety and Security Grant Program to over 750 eligible school entities throughout the Commonwealth to support school safety needs. Funds have been used to support a wide variety of physical security enhancements for school buildings, address student behavioral health needs, and support COVID-19 mitigation efforts. Last year, school entities including school districts, area career and technical schools, intermediate units, charter schools, regional charter schools and cyber charter schools were eligible to apply for formula-based funds to focus on both mental health initiatives and physical security upgrades. Speakers Include:Rob Heinrich, Indiana Area SD Superintendent of SchoolsMike Pennington, PCCD Executive DirectorWalter Schroth, IASD Board PresidentJustin Schawl, Chief of Police - Indiana Borough Police DepartmentEmma Massengale, studentKate Lehman, student