Local schools share in $190 million from state to boost security and mental health programs

By spring, Highlands students will have roving access to health and hygiene supplies, clothes and classroom items to help increase their chances of success in school.

The Mobile Support Station will be paid for through a $270,000 state grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency School Safety and Security Program that was announced last week.

“As a mobile resource, the vehicle will travel to school district communities where transportation access is a barrier,” Assistant Superintendent Cathleen Cubelic said. “It will allow for district personnel to facilitate the connection to resources for our families.

“Our goal is to ensure that we are reaching all of our students and providing the supports they need to be successful.”

Highlands was among several districts across the region to receive a grant, which is earmarked for safety and mental health initiatives. Others include Hempfield Area with about $364,000, Allegheny Valley with $228,000 and Burrell with $253,000.

In total, $190 million could be doled out to districts across the state specifically for projects that directly impact physical security enhancements and mental health programs.

Kirsten Kenyon, director of research, evaluation and strategic policy development, said the total amount represents money that districts across the state are eligible to receive. Program requests are being evaluated now.

Deer Lakes could receive $256,000; Kiski Area, $308,000; and New Kensingon-Arnold, $261,000, according to the PCCD.

Districts can use the grants to develop curriculum that addresses early intervention, self-care and bullying; provide counseling; train staff on positive behavior supports and de-escalation; screen students for adverse childhood experiences and provide trauma-informed services; and enhance partnerships with nonprofits and libraries for out-of-school programming.

At Leechburg Area School District, officials are hoping to spend their $220,000 on a school social worker and several upgrades to the physical safety of buildings.

Superintendent Tiffany Nix said she is waiting for the green light from PCCD to spend the money. The district intends to equip the main offices of every building with panic buttons and purchase playground fencing, door prop alarms and vape detectors at the secondary level.

Camera surveillance upgrades and walkie-talkies also are on the wish list, Nix said.

The region’s largest school district, Pittsburgh Public Schools, is expected to receive nearly $1 million to upgrade programs or implement new ones.

Portia Martin, assistant media relations manager, said no plans have been finalized but the district looks forward to using the grant to increase mental health and safety programs.

“We are extremely fortunate to be a recipient of the grant and look forward to implementing these funds into our schools and programs that could greatly benefit from this,” Martin said.

New Kensington-Arnold Superintendent Chris Sefcheck said his district is in the process of designing chill/sensory rooms in each of the four school buildings.

In addition, officials are designing learning spaces to accommodate flexible seating options, as well as converting cafeteria spaces into student unions, Sefcheck said.

“A lot of our efforts are going into working on environmental conditions to improve the climate and culture,” Sefcheck said. “It’s a pretty big undertaking.”

In the Lower Valley, Fox Chapel Area could receive $324,000. District spokeswoman Bonnie Berzonski said the application is still under review.

Likewise, Deer Lakes spokesman Shawn Annarelli said the district has not been approved formally for its $256,000 application.

Hempfield Area Superintendent Tammy Wolicki is eyeing a major safety boost for her district. The grant will help pay for two school police officers, Wolicki said.

Money also would be used for Student Assistance Program faculty training to enhance response to student behavior.

“These members will assist other SAP team members in the referral of students at risk of violent behavior to appropriate community-based services and behavioral health services, and training related to prevention and early intervention,” Wolicki said.

Mental health initiatives would include a variety of programs. They include:

• Navigate 360 Behavioral Threat and Suicide Case Management: The online case management program supports school threat assessment team members.

• Care Solace, which connects families to mental health services.

• Support the current districtwide initiative of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports with use of the School-Wide Information System, a data collection tool.

• Continued use of Smart Futures, an online career planning and portfolio platform that helps all students be ready for post-secondary success.

State Sen. Lindsey Williams, D-Allegheny, said funding student mental health programs should be a priority.

She said students and teachers have reported “an unprecedented mental health crisis in our schools.”

“Providing funding that can address that crisis head-on is a huge win for our students, our schools and our communities,” Williams said.