STATEHOUSE (Sept. 16, 2026) – Henry County schools recently received more than $285,000 from Indiana's Secured School Safety Grant Program, according to area legislators.
State Rep. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond) said the program, which was established through legislation the General Assembly passed in 2013, provides matching grants to school corporations, accredited non-public schools and charter schools to help pay for critical safety improvements.
"School administrators face a number of responsibilities, and making sure their buildings are secure is among the most important," Barrett said. "Each grant will provide additional help as local schools work to meet their safety standards."
State Rep. Cory Criswell (R-Middletown) said this year the Indiana Department of Homeland Security provided more than $26 million in grants to nearly 500 schools and corporations.
"Our teachers and school employees should have the support they need to do their jobs in a secure environment," Criswell said. "This funding will give local schools another way to protect their classrooms and keep students safe."
Area schools receiving grants include:
The matching grants can be used for a variety of safety measures, including hiring school resource officers, assessing site vulnerabilities, purchasing equipment and technology and implementing bullying prevention.
State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) said with this round of funding Indiana has invested more than $240 million in school safety since the program started.
"A school’s ability to respond to an emergency depends largely on how well it has prepared beforehand," Prescott said. "I’m pleased these local schools have access to state funding that supports additional security measures."
In 2025, House Republicans passed legislation moving the Office of School Safety to IDHS, centralizing safety efforts and providing additional support and resources to schools. Visit in.gov/dhs/school-safety to learn more about state efforts to keep schools safe.
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State Rep. Brad Barrett (R-Richmond) represents House District 56,
which includes Wayne County and portions of Henry County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Cory Criswell (R-Middletown) represents House District 54,
which includes portions of Hancock, Henry, Rush and Shelby counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. J.D. Prescott (R-Union City) represents House District 33,
which includes all of Blackford and Randolph counties,
and portions of Delaware, Henry and Jay counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
