Gang Resistance Education and Training.

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 Durham County Sheriff's Office has a well-established School Resource Officer program in 21 of the 45 schools in the Durham Public School System (the only school district in the service area). The Durham County Sheriff's Office is committed to the GREAT program which is evident by the fact that all School Resource Officers must be GREAT-certified. The Sheriff's office will use its FY06 GREAT funds to: a) provide training for 5 officers to attend the National GREAT Officer's Conference, b) provide incentive items for students of the GREAT program, and c) provide funding for summer programs.

CA/NCF