NEWTOWN, Conn. – The House Committee on Appropriations approved a $2 million increase in funding for the STOP School Violence Act grants through the Bureau of Justice Assistance as part of the Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
In response, Lauren Levin, chief advocacy officer of the Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund, issued the following statement:
“Keeping children safe at school is a shared priority for families, educators, and communities across the country. Strengthening funding for the STOP School Violence Act will help more schools and communities get access to proven prevention tools that teach the warning signs of potential violence, provide help, and create a safer learning environment for kids.
“The evidence continues to show that school violence can be prevented when people recognize warning signs and feel empowered to respond. STOP School Violence Act funding helps schools implement evidence-informed prevention programs, including anonymous reporting systems, threat assessment, and training for students, educators, and school staff. These resources allow communities to support students in crisis and help prevent tragedies.
“We are encouraged to see continued support for this lifesaving program. We urge Congress to increase this investment as the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations process moves forward.”
Sandy Hook Promise proudly worked with Republicans and Democrats to write and pass the evidence-informed STOP School Violence Act in 2018 during President Trump’s first term. The program provides grants to school districts, states, and tribes to train students, school personnel, and law enforcement to recognize signs of violence and intervene before people hurt themselves or others. It also supports anonymous reporting systems and school threat assessment and intervention teams.
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The Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund (SHPAF) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization committed to protecting all children from gun violence in schools, homes, and communities. The SHP Action Fund advances a holistic policy platform that promotes gun safety, youth mental health, and violence prevention education. The organization works at the state and federal level to pass nonpartisan legislation through inclusive partnerships, diverse grassroots education, and community mobilization. It is part of Sandy Hook Promise, founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.
Media Contact:
Claudia Montecinos | [email protected] | 203-304-9780 Ext. 336