FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WOWO): Local school officials are hoping a new approach to school safety can earn them a federal grant.

The Fort Wayne Community Schools board approved an application Monday night for a grant to study whether or not school security personnel can be trained to identify students with mental health issues and get them the help they need before something bad happens.

Director of Security Dottie Davis tols the News-Sentinel the district is excited about the prospect, because “nobody else is doing this.”

If the US Department of Justice approves the application, the district could get between $200,000 and $700,000 to work with Ball State University and the Fort Wayne Police Department on the study.