Ontario safety grants for schools: What to know and how to apply

What to know about new Ontario school safety grants 

In response to growing safety and health concerns at schools, the Ontario provincial government launched several initiatives to reduce distractions in classrooms and improve overall safety. These initiatives include restrictions on cellphone use, enforcement of bans on vape use and support resources for students at risk of substance use and addictive behaviors. 

To support the initiative’s rollout, the provincial government also announced its commitment to invest $30 million in school safety grants. These school security grants will help equip campuses with security equipment, including security cameras, lighting and vape detectors. The Ontario school safety grants will be distributed over three years, from 2024 – 25 to 2026 – 27, providing eligible school boards with the necessary funds to purchase and install security equipment. 

In addition to these improved security measures, the schools will implement a policy for students to surrender their vapes, with immediate notification of parents or guardians. A strengthened Health and Physical Education curriculum will further support this initiative, educating students about the dangers of vaping and cannabis products. 

Moreover, an additional $500,000 in funding will be available to community partners to provide education and support related to student use of vape, tobacco, nicotine and cannabis products.

Examples of vape detectors improving safety at schools

The discreet nature of vaping devices makes them more accessible and concealable in schools, increasing the likelihood of undetected, habitual use. Including vape detectors in a coordinated effort to improve school safety has proven effective across several schools. Although the following examples are from schools outside Ontario, they showcase the effectiveness of vape detectors, which can be equally impactful in Ontario schools

Plymouth-Canton community schools (P‑CCS)

Plymouth-Canton Community Schools (P‑CCS), a school district located on the outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, installed HALO Smart Sensors as a proactive measure to reduce vaping in its schools. This solution allowed P‑CCS to detect vaping in areas where video security cameras would not be appropriate, such as restrooms. The sensors alert the school staff in real time about events like smoking and possible fighting, improving safety at schools and demonstrating a commitment to fostering a healthy environment for learning. 

Greenville county schools 

The deployment of HALO detection devices in Greenville County Schools has been a significant step toward maintaining a secure and healthy environment. By installing these sensors in school restrooms, the district has successfully reduced instances of vaping and other inappropriate behaviors. 

The devices had an instant and measurable impact. Initially, the detectors generated a high number of alerts, indicating the prevalence of vaping among the students. However, the alerts decreased significantly over time, demonstrating that students became more aware of the sensors and reduced vaping incidents. 

Creating a comprehensive Ontario school security system

The initial announcement suggests that the 2024 Ontario school safety grants will cover ​“security cameras, lighting and other security upgrades, including vape detectors” to help reduce distractions and improve student’s health. While details about which specific technologies are covered by the grants are limited at this time, it’s important to understand how vape detectors can integrate with other types of school security systems to support the safety of your students, faculty and staff.

1. School vape detectors

Actively detecting and deterring vaping in schools can be challenging. Unlike traditional tobacco products, e‑cigarette vapor lacks a uniform smell and has finer particulate matter. With this in mind, security teams are increasingly turning toward specialized detectors as a solution to vaping in schools and to support on-site staff in addressing vaping-related incidents.

Vaping in schools commonly happens in bathrooms or change rooms, where security solutions like video cameras are impractical. School vape detectors help ensure student safety in these settings by detecting and notifying your security team in real-time about vape, THC, smoke and other air quality concerns.

In addition to detecting vaping, these devices can identify abnormal noise levels that may indicate fighting, bullying or other disruptive behavior. Vape detectors integrated with your security ecosystem can alert your school administrators about this behavior in real time, helping to prevent potential conflicts and ensure student safety. 

2. Video security

Video security systems, such as IP surveillance cameras, are essential for gaining situational awareness and helping security teams make informed decisions. Security cameras installed in strategic locations, such as school classrooms, libraries, entrances, hallways, stairwells, parking lots and faculty rooms, provide security operators better visibility over areas where incidents and emergencies are most likely.

The latest video security solutions possess AI-powered video analytics, which can automatically alert users to an unfolding incident on their video management software. This helps initiate a rapid response and provides essential information to enhance school security systems procedures. Additionally, the presence of security cameras across school grounds has proven to deter student misbehavior and criminal activities, like bullying, theft or vandalism, playing a vital role in school violence prevention and creating a safer learning environment.

Modern video management software integrates with existing access control systems to provide
enhanced security. Integrated security systems enable your team to view real-time footage from video cameras in schools to assess if the individual requesting access is authorized to enter the facility.

3. Access control 

Grants for school security improvements can be used to install new or upgrade existing access control solutions to prevent unauthorized individuals from entering school grounds.

Access control systems are crucial for securing outdoor and indoor environments, from parking lots to classrooms. These systems use keyless entry systems, keycards, biometric scanners or mobile credentials to grant access to authorized individuals, ensuring that only staff and students can enter the premises.

Any attempt at unauthorized access triggers an immediate alert, notifying the operator of an intrusion. This proactive approach can help prevent intrusions and secure your school premises. Access control systems are also essential for tracking visitor movements, providing a clear record of who is on campus at any given time. 

4. Critical communications

Another common use for school security grants is funding the installation of critical communication systems. These systems instantly and reliably connect your security, teachers and staff, helping to ensure you are always aware of what’s happening across the campus. They offer reliable communications during emergencies, even when power has been lost, improving your ability to keep students safe.

In addition, critical communication technologies can facilitate critical data sharing and response coordination both inside and outside of your school. They provide a communication channel your staff and security teams can use during school activities, such as assemblies, sporting events, school bus loading/​unloading and cafeteria peak periods. If any disturbances or emergencies occur at these events, critical communication systems enable you to rapidly notify first responders and school staff, kickstarting emergency response. 

5. Emergency and lockdown technology

Emergency preparedness is central to keeping your schools safe. Panic buttons enable your students and staff to discreetly send real-time alerts to first responders, while panic bars can help your students and staff evacuate safely in case of an emergency. School emergency notifications like alarms, mobile notifications and PA systems can enhance evacuation procedures by providing clear guidance to your students and staff.

To further improve your emergency preparedness, consider incorporating lockdown security systems. These systems integrate with video security and access control, automatically locking doors upon activation of a building lockdown. By speeding up response times, emergency and lockdown technology can help protect the safety of your students and staff.

Tips for writing Ontario school safety grant proposals 

With the announcement about Ontario school safety grants, now is a great time to explore how you can improve your school security and prepare for the funding process. Typically, applications for government-funded school security grants require school administrators to write and submit a detailed grant proposal outlining the intended purpose of the funding. 

Although specific details about the application process for Ontario school safety grants aren’t yet available, here are some tips for standard grant proposals for school and educational project funding:

1. Understand the grant requirements

Begin by researching the requirements for Ontario school safety grants. Familiarize yourself with eligibility criteria, funding limits, supporting documents and the types of projects that qualify. School safety grants often receive a large number of applications, so it’s critical to meet these basic requirements to ensure your application is considered. 

2. Conduct a security assessment

In addition to understanding the general guidelines, it’s important to assess your school’s specific security needs. Many security grant issuers encourage applicants to consult with security professionals to help identify vulnerable areas and determine necessary improvements. By determining your school’s unique security needs, you can tailor your grant application to address these issues effectively. 

3. Prepare required documentation

Like many school safety grants, the Ontario school safety program will likely require you to provide a detailed outline that includes your project objectives, security technologies you seek to implement and their expected impact. Include a comprehensive budget plan with cost estimates for equipment, installation and training. 

Consider adding supporting documents that help you present a clear and comprehensive school safety planning model. These may include an emergency management plan, threat assessment procedures, implemented training and drills, action reports and assessments. 

4. Allocate resources for grant writing

Formulating and developing a successful grant proposal will require school admins to collect and organize a large amount of relevant data presented in a clear and easily

understood format. Having dedicated team members focused on the grant application can improve your chances of success. 

Your grant writing team should include a project manager to oversee the application, a grant writer to craft the proposal and a post-award manager to ensure project deliverables are met and reported in line with the grant program’s criteria. 

5. Stay informed about specific program details

Follow the provincial government’s announcement regarding the specific details of the Ontario school safety grants program. Staying informed about the latest updates will ensure that your application is aligned with the program’s guidelines, increasing your chances of receiving funding. 

Conclusion

Investing in school security is essential to create a safe and welcoming learning environment. The recent announcement of the Ontario school safety grants presents a significant opportunity for schools to enhance their security with vape detectors, security cameras and other school security technologies. 

As you prepare to apply for these grants, it’s essential to understand the grant requirements, conduct a thorough security assessment and prepare detailed documentation demonstrating your plans for security technology implementation.

The Avigilon Grant Assistance Program can help administrators and school security officials at any stage of the grant process. Contact our experts to get no-cost assistance with your application.