The purpose of the cops office school violence prevention program (svpp) is to improve security at schools and on school grounds through school safety programs and technology

The Community Oriented Policing Program awarded $168,403 to Bluford Unit School District 318 on October 1, 2025, under the School Violence Prevention Program (CFDA 16.071) to implement evidence-based school safety programs and improve security at schools and on school grounds.

The recipient will use funding for activities including coordination with local law enforcement, training for law enforcement officers to prevent student violence, placement of metal detectors and other physical deterrents, acquisition and installation of emergency notification technology, and other security measures identified by the COPS Office Director as providing significant security improvement.

Bluford Unit School District 318, a rural school district in Bluford, Illinois, is the ultimate recipient and responsible entity for programmatic and financial compliance. The period of performance runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028. Work is performed in Bluford, IL 62814.

Under the program structure, the recipient must consult with law enforcement officers, mental health professionals, social workers, students, parents, teachers, principals, and school violence researchers to ensure improvements address school violence prevention comprehensively and meet individual school needs. The recipient must submit semiannual programmatic performance reports and quarterly federal financial reports, and will be subject to DOJ monitoring activities including site visits, office-based reviews, and compliance assessments. Extensions beyond the three-year award period may be granted on a case-by-case basis for up to 12 additional months.

Funding under this award program will be used by the school jurisdiction to implement evidence-based programs to improve school security.