Silent Panic Alarm Technology (SPAT) Texas Grant Program
For the latest funding programs available by state, please visit our School Safety Funding Guide.
As a part of the bipartisan push to pass a comprehensive school safety package in the wake of Uvalde, the Texas Legislature and Governor Abbott authorized over $17 million for the creation of a grant for schools to purchase and install panic alarm systems and programs. On October 28, 2022, the Texas Education Agency (TEA), released its guidelines for distributing that funding.
What is silent panic alarm technology?
With a mobile panic button application, users can simultaneously reach 9-1-1, first responders, and school staff with just the touch of a button. Whether an active assailant, medical, fire, or other emergency, law enforcement and first responders will have access to this information and will be better equipped to arrive on scene prepared. The accurate reporting of what type of incident is occurring as well as precise location data and dynamic status checks on those involved helps reduce emergency response times, which could end up saving a life.
What are the benefits of a panic button system for K-12 schools?
The benefit of having this system in place is that the right information and aid can be provided to the right people in the least possible time. Onsite security can deal with an incident as best they can or provide an initial response to the incident while awaiting the arrival of police, fire, or emergency medical service. Onsite personnel can also remove potential obstacles that may delay the arrival of emergency services once they are alerted to the incident. Rave Panic Button, in addition to bringing direct access to the people who can help and continued collaboration throughout an emergency, also allows your organization to prepare for all types of emergencies with robust drill management capabilities, and manage compliance with reporting by school, date range, and drill type.
What are the program requirements?
What are the details of the Texas Silent Panic Alarm Technology (SPAT) Grant Program?
To help school districts and educational services centers with the process, we have compiled the chart below for what you need to know about the Texas program and how to get started submitting your application.
| Program Name | 2022-2024 Silent Panic Alert Technology (SPAT) Grant |
| Program Host Agency | Texas Education Agency (TEA) |
| Eligible Applicants | Local Education Agencies, only including public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools. Educational Service Centers |
| Application Due Date | February 13, 2023 11:59 PM Central Time |
| Is a Match Required | No |
| How much can a school apply for? | For public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools the allocated amount. For Education Service Centers find the allocated amount. |
| Eligible Project/Activities | Provide grant funds to local education agencies (LEAs) to purchase silent panic alert technologies for campuses as a measure of school safety. – A silent panic alarm is defined as: A silent system signal generated by the activation of a device, either manually or through software applications, intended to signal a life-threatening or emergency requiring a response from law enforcement and/or other first responders. – Silent alarms must have the capability to do the following to qualify for funding: – An alert capable of being triggered manually by campus staff. – An alert is triggered automatically in the event a district employee calls 911 from any location within the school system. – With any alert generated, the location of where the alert originated shall be included. – The alert notifies a set of designated school administrators as needed to provide confirmation of response, and if confirmed, notice is issued to law enforcement and emergency responder agencies of an emergency requiring a law enforcement and/or emergency response, and a notice can simultaneously be issued to all school staff of the need to follow appropriate emergency procedures. – For any exterior doors that feature electronic locking mechanisms that allow for remote locking, the alert system will trigger those doors to automatically lock and to automatically notify relevant campus staff of any door where the lock cannot engage. – LEAs may also purchase the following with these grant funds: software that enables visitor screening, safety drilling, responses to emergencies, and reunification. These purchases are only permitted if the silent alarm is the primary component of the application. |
| More information on the program guidelines | Start Here To access the specific program guidelines, follow these steps: 1. Go to the “Available Grant Opportunities” box 2. Click on the dropdown arrow located in that box 3. Find and select “2022-2024 Silent Panic Alert Technology (SPAT) Grant.” The opportunity page should automatically load in the browser. |
| How does a district or school get started? | Start by registering for a TEA Login if the district or school does not already have an account. Directions can be found here. |
| Program Contact | Nick Davis, Department of Grant Compliance and Administration Email: nick.davis@tea.texas.gov Phone: (737) 308-6086 |
If you would like to speak with our team about this grant and how Rave Mobile Safety can help your district implement the most effective panic alarm program compliant to this program, please reach out.
