Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced last week that $1.26 million will be given to funding school resource officers (SROs) to provide better school security, CBS reports. The money for the grant is provided by the School Security Officer Incentive Grant Program, which is backed by the state’s general funds.

In a press release, Northam says: “These positions will help schools and law enforcement work together to provide every child with the safe and healthy learning environment they need to succeed.”

This year, the Criminal Justice Services Board (CJSB) received 63 applications for the grant program, 40 of which were approved, funding 40 positions: 14 at elementary schools, 14 at middle schools and 12 at high schools, including technical schools. Of the approved grants, 22 were new and 18 were continuations of grants from previous years, WTKR reports.

“One of the key components to ensuring comprehensive school safety is an effective school resource officer,” says Atif Qarni, Secretary of Education. “This funding will greatly help schools partner with officers to promote safety of our students and schools.”