The Cook County Sheriff''s Department 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 Cook County Sheriff's Department plans will continue to provide the middle school component in villages, townships, cities, and other jurisdictions in the County that do not have resources for the G.R.E.A.T. program. The 8 certified G.R.E.A.T. officers will teach the curriculum to 3,000 6th and 7th grade students. Officers will enhance follow up contacts with schools, parents, and students and strengthen efforts to publicize gang resistance training opportunities. The department will also conduct a summer component that is expected to serve approximately 300 students.

CA/NCF