The @GovernorShapiro–@LGAustinDavis Admin has announced new funding opportunities through PCCD's Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) and Building Opportunity Through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) grant programs. These investments will help communities across Pennsylvania: Prevent and reduce gun violence through community-driven strategies Expand mentoring, afterschool, and summer programming that keeps young people safe, supported, and engaged Support outreach and intervention efforts for individuals at highest risk of violence Provide trauma-informed services that help victims, survivors, and communities heal Strengthen local partnerships and innovative approaches to violence prevention Since 2023, the Shapiro-Davis Admin has invested more than $183M through 440+ VIP grant projects across the Commonwealth. This week's inaugural Gun Violence Prevention Symposium reinforced the importance of collaboration and locally driven solutions. These new funding opportunities will help communities put prevention strategies into action. Applications are due December 10, 2026. Learn more here:pa.gov/agencies/pccd/newsroo… #PCCDGrants #GunViolencePrevention #PennsylvaniaViolencePrevention #YouthDevelopment #CommunitySafety

Since 2023, the @GovernorShapiro - @LGAustinDavis Admin has invested more than $183M through 440+ VIP grant projects across the Commonwealth. This week's inaugural Gun Violence Prevention Symposium reinforced the importance of collaboration and locally driven solutions. These new funding opportunities will help communities put prevention strategies into action. Learn more about this historical event: pa.gov/agencies/pccd/newsroo…

Today, @LGAustinDavis convened Pennsylvania’s first-ever Gun Violence Prevention Symposium, bringing together 14 multidisciplinary county and city teams and local and national experts to strengthen community-driven strategies to reduce violence and save lives. Throughout the symposium, teams worked with national experts from @WestEd’s Justice & Prevention Research Center and @TheHAVI to review local data, identify pressing priorities, strengthen cross-sector partnerships, and develop action plans they can bring back to their communities. Since 2023, the @GovernorShapiro-Davis Administration has re-established the Office of Gun Violence Prevention within PCCD and provided more than $183M through 440+ Violence Intervention and Prevention grant projects across the Commonwealth. Learn more: pa.gov/agencies/pccd/newsroo… #PennsylvaniaGunViolencePrevention #ViolencePrevention #CommunitySafety #PublicSafety

During #NationalBullyingPreventionMonth, new Pennsylvania Youth Survey data offers encouraging signs: students are reporting improved mental health, greater feelings of safety at school, and stronger trust that adults will intervene when bullying occurs.   The 2025 PAYS found that 83% of participating students report feeling safe at school, up from 78% in 2023. It also found that 76% of students reported their overall mental health is good, up from 71% in 2023.   These gains matter — and they reflect the importance of sustained investments in school safety, student mental health, prevention, and supportive school climates.   The data also shows there is more work to do. Some bullying indicators have improved, but frequent bullying and school avoidance due to bullying have not returned to pre-2021 levels.   PCCD-supported tools like PAYS help schools and communities better understand student experiences and strengthen prevention strategies that help young people feel safe, supported, and connected.   Learn more: pa.gov/agencies/pccd/newsroo…   #BullyingPrevention #PennsylvaniaSchoolSafety #PAYS #YouthWellBeing

Only 2 Weeks Left to Apply! Under the leadership of PCCD Chair @LGAustinDavis, Pennsylvania is investing approximately $3.5M through the new Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods Program to help local police departments solve more crimes, strengthen investigations, and improve crime reporting. The VICTIM Program is a bipartisan initiative that supports local agencies through 2 tracks: • NIBRS Readiness Grants to help agencies modernize reporting systems and improve crime data reporting • Implementation Grants to help NIBRS-compliant agencies purchase technology, equipment, training, and other tools to improve clearance rates for homicides and other violent crimes Even as violent crime is down 16% statewide and homicide clearance rates stand at 71%, the @GovernorShapiro -Davis Administration is continuing to invest in tools that help law enforcement improve accountability, deliver justice swiftly, and bring closure to the families and loved ones still waiting for answers. Applications are due Oct. 21, 2026. Apply today: pa.gov/agencies/pccd/newsroo… #PennsylvaniaPublicSafety #PennsylvaniaLawEnforcement #CrimeData #NIBRS

ICYMI: The @GovernorShapiro - @LGAustinDavis Admin announced approximately $3.5M in new funding to help local police departments solve more violent crimes, improve crime reporting, and make communities safer. The new Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Program will support local police in strengthening investigative capacity, modernizing reporting systems, and improving clearance rates for homicides and other violent crimes. Funding is available through two tracks: • NIBRS Readiness Grants to help agencies transition to the federal crime data reporting system • Implementation Grants to help NIBRS-compliant agencies purchase technology, equipment, training, and other tools to improve violent crime clearance rates Learn more about the VICTIM Program here: pa.gov/agencies/pccd/newsroo… #VICTIMProgram #PublicSafety #CrimeData #LawEnforcement

Victim services are facing a critical moment — and communities need to understand what is at stake. PCCD’s VOCA Toolkit explains how federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding reductions are affecting Pennsylvania’s victim service providers and the victims and survivors they serve. VOCA funding helps support essential services across the Commonwealth, including advocacy, counseling, crisis intervention, emergency shelter, safe housing, hotlines, court accompaniment, and other supports that help victims find safety, stability, and a path forward after crime. But the federal Crime Victims Fund has declined sharply, creating serious challenges for the local programs that victims and survivors rely on. PCCD surveyed 127 victim service providers to better understand the impact of VOCA funding reductions. The findings show providers are facing increased staff burnout, hiring challenges, reduced capacity, and growing concern about their ability to fully meet victims’ needs. The toolkit is a resource for advocates, service providers, local leaders, policymakers, and community partners working to protect victim services in Pennsylvania. Read and share the VOCA Toolkit: pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-p… #VictimsCannotWait #VOCA #VictimServices #SurvivorSupport #VictimAdvocates

ICYMI: During National Suicide Prevention Month, PCCD joined the @PADMVA, @PAHealthDept, @PAHumanServices for a roundtable focused on preventing suicide among service members, veterans, and their families. The event highlighted DMVA’s statewide veteran suicide prevention initiative, supported by a $143,947 investment from PCCD through the federal Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP). This funding is helping expand efforts focused on: ✔ Mental health and suicide prevention education ✔ Safety planning ✔ Firearm cable locks and safe storage devices ✔ Support for veterans and their families Firearm suicide prevention is a key part of Pennsylvania’s broader gun violence prevention strategy. In 2023, more than 60% of gun deaths in the Commonwealth were suicides, and veterans accounted for 19% of those deaths. Read more about these critical partnerships: pa.gov/agencies/pccd/newsroo… #SuicidePrevention #PennsylvaniaVeterans #GunViolencePrevention #PublicSafety #BehavioralHealth

Today, @LGAustinDavis PCCD Chair joined @PAHealthDept, @PAStatePolice, @PCARORG, and local partners to highlight Pennsylvania’s progress in implementing the Commonwealth’s first statewide sexual assault kit tracking system.   Through the new Track-Kit system, survivors will be able to monitor the progress of their sexual assault evidence kits, helping improve transparency, accountability, and coordination across the systems responsible for handling evidence.   The system is currently being piloted in Erie, Lancaster, and York Counties with 12 hospitals, 64 police departments, forensic nurses, and labs before launching statewide in December. This work is part of Pennsylvania’s broader Sexual Assault Kit Initiative — ensuring survivors are informed, supported, and empowered throughout the path forward. Learn more about SAKI here: pa.gov/agencies/pccd/newsroo…   #PennsylvaniaSurvivors #SexualAssaultKitInitiative #SAKI #PublicSafety