Office of Criminal Justice Grants
School Security Assessment (SSA) Program
During the 2024-25 legislative session, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) received authority to administer $5 Million in pass-through funding for local law enforcement agencies to support the following activities:
- Conduct physical site security assessments for, and provide reports to, Florida private schools with recommendations on improving infrastructure and safety;
- Assist Florida private schools in developing active assailant response protocols, as well as develop/implement training related to active assailant responses (i.e., drills for students and school personnel); and/or
- Consult with private schools in implementing a threat management program similar to those required under s.1001.212(12), Florida Statutes.
Participating Agencies may seek reimbursement for personnel costs (regular pay, overtime, and fringe benefits), software, and other items necessary to assist with the activities defined above.
Project Period
Awards will be for a 10-month period beginning September 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025. Only eligible activities and services occurring during this period will be eligible for reimbursement.
Required Security Assessment Tool
The authorizing statute required FDLE to provide a standard site security assessment form. The Participating Agency is required to utilize the FDLE security assessment tool, provided through the Haystax system, when conducting duties related to this program. Upon final execution of an award by FDLE, the Participating Agency will receive a Haystax User Access Request Form to create an account in the Haystax system.
Funding Requests
The executed agreement for this program will not contain an approved budget. Funding will be allocated to each Participating Agency on a case-by-case basis via the submission and approval of a Funding Request form.
- SSA Equipment Request Form: Submit this form to request approval to purchase equipment, supplies, software, or other items that must be obtained prior to the start of project activities.
- SSA School Funding Request Form: Submit this form to request personnel hours, equipment, supplies, software, or other items that are necessary to complete an approved activity at a specific private school.
Allowable/Unallowable Expenses
Examples of allowable expenses:
- Regular salaried hours, overtime (straight-time and time-and-a-half), and associated fringe benefits.
- Equipment and supplies necessary to complete one of the award activities (i.e., laptops, tablets, and accessories).
- Software and other costs necessary to complete one of the award activities (i.e., adobe licenses, mobile wi-fi, printing costs).
Examples of unallowable expenses:
- Drones and/or drone licenses.
- Travel expenses.
- Active-shooter training for school personnel (not an eligible award activity).
- Third-party training of any kind provided to schools. (Training provided by law enforcement agencies is allowable.)
Activity Reimbursement Report
After a Funding Request has been approved, Participating Agencies may move forward with project activities and/or procurements. Requests for reimbursement should be submitted using an Activity Reimbursement Report (ARR).
Both Funding requests and activity reimbursement reports may be submitted to
OCJGSFA@fdle.state.fl.us, or to the
FDLE Grant Manager assigned to this program.
FAQ
A list of Frequently Asked Questions about the SSA program is linked below, and will be updated throughout the project period.