New York – This morning the Department of Homeland Security released the application for a new $25 million NYS Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes Program that was included in the most recent State Budget.
Teach NYS advocated heavily for this grant because we understand how critical security is at our schools, yeshivas, and day cares. This new funding is in addition to the existing per pupil security allocation, bringing the total State allocation for security at our schools to a record level.
“We applaud today’s release of this critically important security funding application,” said Jake Adler, Director of Government for Teach NYS, a project of the Orthodox Union. “The Governor and Legislative leaders have made the security and safety of our children a top priority in this budget. We are extremely grateful for the leadership of Governor Cuomo, Majority Leader Flanagan, and Speaker Heastie in working together to create this new program.”
Along with its partner schools, parents , and lay leaders, for the past four years Teach NYS has been on the front lines of the effort to increase security funding for nonpublic schools, urging the legislature to invest in protecting all students in New York State.
In 2013, Teach NYS played a leading role in urging the legislature to include $4.5 million in security funds in the SAFE Act. In 2016, Teach NYS advocated successfully to increase this amount to $15 million. Since then, Teach NYS continued to urge the legislature for further increases, highlighting the growing threats many nonpublic schools face. Teach NYS is committed to fighting for further funds in the 2017-2018 budget process to assure full parity in security funding for nonpublic schools.
Schools or institutions with questions may contact Yosef Kanofsky, Director of Government Programs at (646) 459-5158 or Kanofskyy@ou.org.