The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is offering a new cycle of state grants through the School Resource Officer Grants Program and Fund to continue funding existing grants for School Resource Officer (SRO) positions in local law enforcement agencies and School Security Officer (SSO) positions in local school divisions. Grants awarded under this solicitation may be awarded for up to a 36-month period, (not to exceed a total of 48 months including the current and prior years’ funding).The application deadline is February 28, 2020.

These guidelines contain the rules and requirements governing the School Resource Officer Grants Program and Fund, links to the required grant application forms, and instructions for completing and submitting your non-competing continuation application. The purpose of a continuation grant application is to:

• Report on the progress of the project during the current budget year.
• Provide a work plan (inclusive of program and evaluation activities) for the upcoming budget year.
• Provide a detailed budget and budget narrative justification for the upcoming year.

A “School Resource Officer” means a certified law enforcement officer hired by a local law enforcement agency to provide law enforcement and security services to Virginia public schools. An SRO may be a full-time or part-time employee.

A “School Security Officer” is defined as an individual who is employed by a local school board for the purpose of maintaining order and discipline, preventing crime, investigating violations of school board policies, and detaining students violating the law or school board policies on school property or at school-sponsored events. A SSO may be a full-time or part-time employee. Localities are encouraged to consider School Security Officer positions when additional security presence is merited yet the full functions of a School Resource Officer may not be necessary.