STATEHOUSE (Oct. 1, 2025) – Hancock County schools recently received more than $307,000 for safety upgrades through the state's Secured School Safety Grant Program supported by State Reps. Lori Goss-Reaves (R-Marion) and Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo).
Goss-Reaves said the funding is part of the state legislature's investment in school safety this year, which totaled $27 million in state matching grants across 494 schools statewide. Lawmakers also advanced legislation this year to move the Office of School Safety to the Department of Homeland Security, centralizing safety efforts and providing additional support and resources to schools.
"For over a decade, Indiana has shown a strong commitment to school safety," Goss-Reaves said. "It takes a community effort to keep kids safe, and with added support schools can strengthen both prevention and response."
Area schools receiving grants include:
Karickhoff said awarded funds can be used for a wide range of safety needs like support for resource officers, equipment and technology, active event warning systems, threat assessments and student-parent support service programs.
"Students, teachers and parents should feel confident that schools are safe spaces for learning," Karickhoff said. "Secured School Safety Grants provide local districts with the resources to enhance security and respond quickly in emergencies."
Since the program began in 2013, Indiana has invested more than $214 million in school safety through state matching grants.
To learn more about the Secured School Safety Grant Program and what Indiana's doing to keep schools safe, visit the state's school safety hub at in.gov/schoolsafety.
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State Rep. Lori Goss-Reaves (R-Marion) represents House District 31,
which includes portions of Grant and Madison counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Mike Karickhoff (R-Kokomo) represents House District 30,
which includes portions of Grant and Howard counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
