*NOTE: The 2026 – 2027 school zone mini grants will open August 31, 2026.*
School Zone Crossing Guard Grants
To help children walk and bike to school safely, each year we offer reimbursement grants to assist with crossing guard equipment.
We offer mini-grants up to $300 to existing patrols to help with training materials, equipment, and supplies for school zone crossing guards. This includes flags, cones, signs, whistles, vests, raincoats, gloves, and hats.
New school patrols – we offer up to $500 for schools starting new patrols.
AAA of Washington provides training support for crossing guard programs in Washington State. To be sure you receive the most current information, please make sure your crossing guard program is registered with them with up-to-date information. To register a new program or update your existing registration information, please contact Erin Rogers at ErinRogers@aaawa.com or 509-590-8085.
Who Qualifies
To qualify for this grant, the application must be from a public, private or tribal elementary or middle school.
What’s Typically Funded
We fund training materials, equipment and supplies for school zone crossing guards. Allowable equipment includes flags, cones, signs, whistles, vests raincoats, gloves, and hats.
Your application must demonstrate how the requested items will directly benefit the crossing guard program. We are unable to approve items intended to assist with other purposes, such as social distancing.
Law Enforcement Grants
for School Zones
We assist law enforcement agencies throughout Washington by providing funds for traffic safety law enforcement equipment. These grant funds can be used to purchase radar, rain gear, and other equipment that is used to enforce school zone speed limits and keep kids safe on their way to school.
State, county, city and tribal law enforcement agencies qualify for law enforcement equipment grants. Law enforcement agencies who actively conduct in-person enforcement for speed management in active school zones are eligible to apply for enforcement equipment grants through the Law Enforcement School Zone grant.
There are specific types of tickets eligible for school zone enforcement grants. Those eligible tickets are:
- speeding (RCW 46.63.110);
- failure to yield at crosswalks (or for the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle yielding to the crosswalk RCW 46.62.235);
- failure to exercise due care (RCW 46.61.245);
- failure to yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian, bicycle, or personal delivery device on a sidewalk or in a cross walk (RCW 46.61.261).
Eligible tickets must have been issued within one year PRIOR to the date of application (i.e., if the grant application date is 12/25/2024, all eligible citations issued in school zones from 12/25/2023 forward count towards the calculation of total funds available). Run a report for the timeframe in SECTOR to include in your grant application. Applicants are requested to please review their SECTOR report and delete ineligible citations to correctly calculate the total funds available. Each citation contributes $25 toward funding the purchase of traffic enforcement equipment, helping improve safety on the roads.
Do not make any purchases before receiving notification that the grant application is approved. Purchases made before formal email notification of approval cannot be reimbursed.
Thank you for your traffic safety advocacy!
How to Apply
Please note: DO NOT PURCHASE any equipment until you receive an email notification of grant award from the WTSC. Purchases made before the grant application is approved are ineligible for reimbursement.
Step 1 - Log-on to WEMS
- Go to WEMS (WTSC Enterprise Management System) https://wtsc.smartsimple.com
Step 2 - Organization Name
- If you are a new user you will need to register for School Grants on the left hand side of the screen.
- Select your user type: Law enforcement users or School employees.
- Enter your organization name and proceed with your contact information and submit.
- You will receive an email with login instructions within an hour (be sure to check your junk mailbox).
Step 3 - Email Received
- After you receive your email, log into WEMS and click “Start Proposal” next to Crossing Guard (School Zone) or Law Enforcement under “Call for Proposals”. (Check your junk mailbox).
Step 4 - Start Application Process
- Be sure to start the application process by clicking “SAVE DRAFT.” You’ll see a link to a document called “Guidelines/Instructions” where you’ll see more details about the application process.
- Write a brief description of how the equipment your wish to purchase with support school zone safety in the “Grant Justification” section.
Step 5 - Upload Information and Submit
- Enter the desired items you wish to purchase (only items selected here will be eligible for reimbursement).
- Upload quotes for the equipment you wish to purchase. For Crossing Guards, maximum reimbursement is $300 or $500 for new patrols.
- Submit your proposal.
Step 6 - Approval
- Once your application is approved, you will receive an email grant approval confirmation. Your application must be approved before you purchase items
Deadlines
Grants open annually on August 30 and close on March 31 the following year. Each elementary and middle school is eligible to receive one grant per school year.
How to Get Your Reimbursement
For Crossing Guard: After you receive your equipment, go to your WEMS account and select reimbursement, create your invoice, and upload proof-of-purchase within 90 days of approval date. Your agency will be reimbursed upon receipt of complete documentation. WTSC will reimburse the requesting agency/school district for the expenses incurred (up to $300 or $500 for new patrols). WTSC will not reimburse individuals.
For Law Enforcement: After you receive your equipment, go to your WEMS account and select reimbursement, create your invoice, and upload proof-of-purchase within 90 days of approval date. Your agency will be reimbursed upon receipt of complete documentation.
*All mini grant reimbursement requests must be submitted via WEMS within 90 days of approval date or no later than June 29.*
Questions
Contact us at
schoolzone@WTSC.wa.gov
Or Jessie Knudson if you need any assistance with your application.
Phone: (360) 725-9860
Fax: (360) 586-6489