Gang Restistance Education and Training 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 Topeka-Topeka Police Department will utilize the 2006 G.R.E.A.T funds to promote the G.R.E.A.T program and rally community support. When the program becomes popular, it will be much more effective and sustainable. The funds will also be used for materials to enhance the delivery of the core program to students such as the starter kits, etc. and to reward the students who successfully complete the program.

Through the use of pre-tests administered prior to the initial introduction of the new curriculum and subsequent post-test administered to G.R.E.A.T participants at the conclusion of the program, the Great Officers will have the ability to electronically accumulate data over multiple years for comparative analysis and to aid in strategic planning. A portion of the grant monies will be used to streamline this process with electronic grading material and equipment for further survey of the participants in the future.

CA/NCF