DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT GREAT PROGRAM

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 Detroit Police Department will implement all four G.R.E.A.T. components: the 13-week middle school curriculum, elementary school curriculum, summer program, and families training. The department will use gang intelligence and statistics from the schools and department to identify at-risk neighborhoods and youth. High schools with increased gang-related problems will be identified and feeder elementary and middle schools will be targeted for the G.R.E.A.T. Program. The school components will be implemented in collaboration with the Finney Youth Initiative that works with the targeted schools to improve safety. The family component will target families identified as in need and headed by a single parent with limited time and resources to support their children. Participating families will be encouraged to participate in the summer component. The summer program will focus on recreational activities, self-image enhancement, career exploration, and conflict resolution skills.

CA/NCF