G.R.E.A.T. 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.

Toledo has directly correlated an increase in street crime activity and youth violence with youth gang activity. The Toledo Police Gang Suppression Unit has now identified over 100 active gangs in the Toledo area. The Toledo Police Department (TPD) G.R.E.A.T. Program will have an elementary and middle school component and service 1,814 children in eight schools (5 elementary, 3 middle) in the Toledo School District. The TPD G.R.E.A.T. Program will expand law enforcement efforts to provide a quality gang resistance program to 4th through 8th grade students and provide a family and summer program. By providing prevention programs to students and families, project coordinators believe they can positively affect the development of children.

The TPD will serve 1,814 fourth through eighth grade children in the elementary and middle school component, 100 children in the summer program, and 35 families in the family component. The middle school component will target 814 at-risk 7th grade students in three middle schools. The summer component will consist of three 40-hour one-week sessions, at various local sites in partnership with the YMCA, PALS and the Boys and Girls Club. The family component will target 35 at-risk families in two 6-week sessions at two locations.

CA/NCF