The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is pleased to announce a third opportunity for Fiscal Year 2023 School Resource Officer Grant Program and Fund’s Funding Opportunities for School Resource Officers (SRO) and School Security Officers (SSO); new and continuing grants. Both funding opportunities are in the DCJS On-line Grants Management System (OGMS) and are available on the DCJS website. Grant applications must be submitted in OGMS no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 9, 2022.

Under this announcement, there are two posted Funding Opportunities based on the type of position in the application. SRO positions should apply under FO #501439 “FY23-3 SRO-SRO Grant Program and Fund” and SSO positions should apply under FO #501441 “FY23-3 SSO-SRO Grant Program and Fund”. Applications for new positions must be submitted separately from continuation applications. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis for one (1) 9-month period beginning October 1, 2022, and ending on June 30, 2023.

The total amount requested in the 9-month application may not exceed $93,750 per SRO position or $37,500 for an SSO position. A local match is not required for FY23 because of actions taken by the General Assembly in the budget bill. Future match requirements should be considered when planning for continuation years. The only allowable state funded expenses for these grants are salary and benefits for full-time or part-time SRO or SSO positions to provide coverage during routine school hours.

This funding is available for new SRO or SSO positions on a 45-month grant cycle. Funding is also available for grantees whose funding ended in FY22 for continuation on an annual basis, as funding is available. Priority will be given to new positions. Please read the guidelines and instructions for additional details.

Grant awards are contingent on the availability of funding within SRO fund as appropriated by the state budget bill.

Please note, all FY23 SRO grants require personnel to have at least 2 years of certified law enforcement experience.

All applicants must register in OGMS to view and apply for this funding opportunity. Instructions on how to register are available on our OGMS Training & Resources webpage but we ask that you allow at least 3-5 days for your request to be reviewed. Once approved, you will receive an email with your username and a separate email with your temporary password. Additional OGMS training resources are available on the OGMS Training & Resources webpage as well as the SRO/SSO Incentive Grant Program webpage. 

In addition, an OGMS and application information webinar is available for applicants. The presentation discusses application requirements and instructions on how to complete the forms in OGMS. The presentation is located under “Attachments” on the Funding Opportunities.  

For technical assistance with OGMS, email ogmssupport@dcjs.virginia.gov and include the grant program in the subject line. This support email should be used for general system questions, but not grant application-specific inquiries. 

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact me via email at michelle.miles@dcjs.virginia.gov or by phone at (804) 225-1846.