Florida Safe Schools Canine Program
In 2023, the Florida Legislature created the Florida Safe Schools Canine Program “for the purpose of designating a person, school, or business entity as a Florida Safe Schools Canine Partner (FSSCP) if the person, school, or business entity provides a monetary or in-kind donation to a law enforcement agency to purchase, train, or care for a firearm detection canine.”
Program information
Eligibility Requirements
Nominees and applicants can be considered for the Florida Safe Schools Canine Partner designation with demonstrated support for school safety by providing monetary or in-kind donations to help with the ongoing care and expenses of a firearm detection canine which include, but are not limited to, veterinary care such as wellness checks and medicine; food; interactive and training toys; grooming; and necessary equipment such as collars and leads.
Chapter 6A-1.0020, Florida Administrative Code, further outlines program eligibility:
(3) Eligibility. Individuals, schools, or businesses must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for the designation as a Florida Safe Schools Canine Partner:
(a) Donation. A law enforcement agency may nominate a person, school, or business entity to be designated as a FSSCP, or such person, school, or business entity may apply to the Office to be designated as a FSSCP if a monetary or in-kind donation is made to a law enforcement agency for the purchase, training, or care of a firearm detection canine.
1. Individuals must make a minimum monetary or in-kind donation valued at $500.00, and schools or business entities must make a minimum monetary or in-kind donation valued at $1,000.00.
2. In-kind donations are non-cash gifts and must be accompanied by verification of the value of the gift as determined by the donor, such as a receipt, appraisal, or other documentation accepted by the receiving law enforcement agency.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this rule, the Department retains sole discretion to determine eligibility.
Forms
Nomination form (for law enforcement agencies) (Word)
Application form (for individuals, schools, or businesses) (Word)
Process
Chapter 6A-1.0020, Florida Administrative Code, further outlines the nomination and application processes:
(4) Nomination and Application Process. Beginning with the 2023-24 school year, nominations and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, as follows:
(a) A law enforcement agency may nominate a person, school, or business entity for the designation by submitting an online Florida Safe Schools Canine Partner Nomination Form available at www.fldoe.org/safe-schools/canine.
(b) A person, school, or business entity may apply for the designation for themselves by submitting an online Florida Safe Schools Canine Partner Application Form, available at www.fldoe.org/safe-schools/canine.
(c) A Nomination or Application must include documentation from the law enforcement agency certifying the date of the donation and that the donation is for the purchase, training, or care of a firearm detection canine.
(d) The Office of Safe Schools (“Office”) will review the Nomination or Application and will notify the law enforcement agency or applicant in writing that the form was received, whether there are any missing or deficient elements, and whether there is a need for additional information.
All FSSCP nomination and application forms and supporting documentation must be submitted to the Office of Safe Schools for review at SafeSchools@fldoe.org.