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.

The City of North Miami Beach will utilize the grant funds to implement the GREAT Core Curriculum. The curriculum will be administered by trained GREAT Officers. The program will target 4th graders (elementary) and 6th and 7th graders (middle school). The program will include a summer component for FY 2006.

The core curriculum emphasizes:

' Prevention of youth violence by increasing graduate levels.
' Create positive relationships between young people and law enforcement via survey.
' Strengthen families by utilizing the GREAT program to bring families, law enforcement, and schools together via meetings and workshops.

CA/NCF