Thomasville Police Department G.R.E.A.T. Project

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 Thomasville Police Department will use these G.R.E.A.T. funds to provide staff for the middle school and summer components (including a new program at the Boys and Girls Club, and new programs at Jerger, Scott and Harper Elementary Schools). These funds will also be used to expand the G.R.E.A.T. program at the Dunlap Alternative School, and to start a G.R.E.A.T. Families Component, which requires additional staff time. Further, much needed equipment and supplies for the program participants will be purchased. Finally, these funds would help support the expenses for G.R.E.A.T. instructors to attend the Officer Training Conferences in La Quinta/Palm Springs, California this summer.

CA/NCF