State Sen. Nick Miller, D-14th, announced eight school districts will receive $3,167,095 in funding for safety, security and mental health support from the Pennsylvania School Safety and Security Committee in an April 29 release.

The committee falls under the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

“Investing in our schools to keep our students safe and mentally healthy is pivotal to their success,” Miller said. “Being proactive and providing these resources early in our students’ education is critical. These grants will go a long way toward protecting those in our community.”

Districts in Lehigh County receiving funds include Whitehall-Coplay School District, $200,526; Catasauqua Area School District, $155,400; Parkland School District, $693,355; East Penn School District, $247,934; Salisbury Township School District, $154,481; Northern Lehigh School District, $597,649; and Allentown Area School District, $402,404.

Districts in Northampton County receiving funds include Northampton Area School District, $662,429, and Nazareth Area School District, $207,398.

“Our schools need the funds to be able to provide these necessary resources,” Miller added. “I will continue to advocate on behalf of our students and staff, so they have the best support available.”

Overall, $155 million in state and federal school safety funding was awarded, broken down through the noncompetitive school mental health grants program, the formula-based school safety and security meritorious grants program, school safety and security grants program and targeted school safety grants for nonpublic schools funding program.