Gov. Tom Wolf announced that $1 million in It’s On Us PA grants are available to colleges, universities and other postsecondary schools in Pennsylvania. Launched by Wolf in 2016 with the support of education leaders across the commonwealth, including school superintendents and college presidents, It’s On Us PA is a statewide campaign that invites education leaders and all Pennsylvanians to be part of the solution to protect students from sexual violence.
“Pennsylvania’s college and university campuses must be safe places for all students,” said Wolf. “Sexual assault cannot be tolerated, and we all have a responsibility to promote healthy relationships. My administration created the It’s On Us PA grant program to create pathways to tools and training to change campus culture. This year’s grant funding will continue to support this important work on campuses across the commonwealth.”
Since 2016, the Wolf Administration has awarded over 190 It’s On Us PA grants totaling nearly $5 million to more than 75 postsecondary institutions, including public and private two-year and four-year colleges and universities. The Pennsylvania Department of Education is accepting applications for grants of up to $30,000 through Oct. 20. Grant applications are available here.
“Students deserve safe environments where their academic, social, emotional and professional opportunities can flourish,” said Education Secretary Dr. Noe Ortega. “I am thankful to Gov. Wolf for establishing the It’s On Us PA Grant program, and proud of our postsecondary partners for building awareness, developing solutions, and working to help keep people safe from sexual assault.”
Institutions can use grant funds to implement strategies on their campuses to address goals of the It’s On Us PA campaign, which include:
– Improve awareness, prevention, reporting and response systems regarding sexual violence in schools, colleges and universities to better serve all students
– Remove or reduce barriers that prevent survivors of sexual violence from reporting and/or accessing vital resources by creating a more consistent, empowering reporting process for student survivors of gender-based violence
– Demonstrate significant, proactive and sustainable leadership to change campus culture by challenging Pennsylvania’s education leaders, including college and university presidents, as well as students, teachers, faculty, staff, families and communities, to pledge to improve their institutions’ climate
