Tennessee State Funding
State Funding
Tennessee supports school safety through state grant funding, emergency operations planning requirements, school safety training, anonymous reporting resources, and programs that help schools strengthen emergency response and student protection.
Public School Security Grant / Safe Schools Act Funding
Tennessee provides school safety grant funding to help public school districts improve safety, security, emergency preparedness, and school climate.
For FY2025–2026, Tennessee included a one-time, non-recurring $20 million investment in school safety grant funds. Allocations are based on each local education agency’s Average Daily Membership, and no local match is required.
Funds may support eligible school safety priorities such as:
- facility security and safety planning;
- school safety personnel;
- violence prevention programs;
- training and drills;
- obehavioral health supports;
- emergency communication;
- visitor management;
- safety equipment;
- other approved measures that support safer school environments.
Schools should confirm current allowable uses, allocation amounts, spending deadlines, and reporting requirements through the Tennessee Department of Education or Tennessee School Safety Center before planning purchases.
School Safety Alert Grant Program
The School Safety Alert Grant Program supports the purchase of mobile panic alert systems for schools.
Tennessee law describes the program as a grant fund for local education agencies, public charter schools, private schools, and church-related schools. The purpose is to help schools acquire mobile panic alert systems that improve emergency notification and response coordination.
For FY2027, Tennessee approved funding for the School Safety Alert Grant Program, with detailed guidance, application rules, and timelines expected through state program materials.
Eligible schools should monitor state guidance for current application windows, award limits, approved system requirements, and reporting obligations.
COPS School Violence Prevention Program
The COPS School Violence Prevention Program is a federal grant program, not Tennessee state funding.
The program can support school safety measures such as coordination with law enforcement, training, safety technology, emergency communication, and other evidence-based efforts to prevent school violence.
Because this is a federal opportunity, it should be listed under a Federal Funding or Federally Supported Funding section rather than under Tennessee state funding.
School Safety Toolkit
Tennessee’s School Safety Toolkit was created to help families, schools, and communities understand school safety responsibilities and available resources.
The toolkit includes information about reporting concerns, supporting mental health, identifying warning signs, advocating for building security, and using the SafeTN app. SafeTN allows students, parents, school staff, and community members to report safety concerns anonymously so appropriate officials can review and respond.
The toolkit also highlights mental health resources, including crisis support and early intervention programs designed to help students before concerns escalate.
Schools Against Violence in Education Act
The Schools Against Violence in Education Act, known as the SAVE Act, establishes school safety planning requirements for Tennessee local education agencies.
Districts are required to develop comprehensive school safety plans and building-level emergency response plans. These plans address crisis intervention, emergency response, emergency management, parent notification, student relocation and reunification, evacuation routes, school-sponsored events, transportation emergencies, and coordination with emergency responders.
The Tennessee School Safety Center supports districts with planning guidance, review tools, and technical assistance connected to SAVE Act compliance.
Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement Formula
The Tennessee Investment in Student Achievement formula may support certain school safety-related programs when they align with local education priorities and statutory requirements.
Potential uses may include violence prevention, conflict resolution, disruptive or assaultive behavior management, improved school security, school resource officers, school safety officers, peer mediation, and employee training.
Districts should review current TISA guidance before using formula funds for safety-related activities.
Required Security Features and School Access Control
Tennessee has strengthened school security expectations in recent years, including requirements focused on exterior door security and building access control.
Schools should maintain secure entrances, monitor access to campus, follow visitor procedures, and ensure that staff understand how to identify and respond to unauthorized individuals.
Security planning may include door checks, visitor badges, cameras, communication tools, and staff training, but these measures should be part of a broader school safety plan that includes prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Tennessee School Safety Specialist Program
The Tennessee School Safety Specialist Program provides ongoing training for school personnel responsible for safety, security, prevention, and emergency planning.
School Safety Specialists help coordinate with emergency responders, local medical facilities, administrators, families, students, and community partners. They also support emergency operations planning, staff training, bullying prevention, school discipline, and other school safety responsibilities.
The program is designed to build local expertise so schools can maintain safer, more supportive learning environments.
The funding information and links provided on this page are based on publicly available information at the time of publication. While we make every effort to keep this resource current and relevant, funding programs, eligibility requirements, deadlines, and website links may change over time. If you discover outdated information, inaccurate content, or a broken link, please let us know by emailing info@carehawk.com.