Gang Resistance Education and Training

The Gang Resistance Education And Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program is a life-skills competency program designed to provide students with the skills they need to avoid gang pressure and youth violence. G.R.E.A.T.'s violence prevention curriculum helps students develop values and practice behaviors that will assist them to avoid destructive activities. The G.R.E.A.T. program coordinates with federal, regional, state and local agencies, as well as individuals from community and civic groups. The goal of the G.R.E.A.T. program is to train law enforcement officers in a school-based curriculum in which the officers provide instruction to school-aged children in life skill competencies, gang awareness, and anti-violence techniques. Training in the core G.R.E.A.T. program is provided to officers from any state or local law enforcement agency.

The Kankakee Police Department has two certified G.R.E.A.T. officers who will continue to teach the middle school curriculum at Kankakee Junior High School, a high-risk school, and at three private schools in the City. The program will serve approximately 450 seventh grade students in the regular school day setting and in after-school programs. After-school programs will be conducted at the 21st Century Learning Center and the Community Resource Center Teen REACH site. A summer camp will serve recent G.R.E.A.T. graduates and students entering seventh grade in the fall. The weeklong camp will be structured around the G.R.E.A.T. curriculum and focus on team building and leadership skills. A third officer will participate in G.R.E.A.T. training and will assist with the after-school component.

CA/NCF