Wichita Police 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 City of Wichita - Wichita Police Department will utilize the 2006 funds towards the G.R.E.A.T project that will include raising staff awareness of their knowledge and comfort level with the program, build staff and administration support and educate the students.

They will also reach out to the parents and the community by providing after-school and evening informational meetings. The implementation strategy will include providing in-service activities for teachers, administrators and other school personnel. The in-services will familiarize district personnel with the G.R.E.A.T program as well as serve as an opportunity to share current information regarding gangs and other youth trends.

The goal of this project is to prevent youth crime, violence and gang involvement among school-aged youth, create safer schools where students are achieving academically, to provide safer communities and build positive relationships among law enforcement families and young people.

CA/NCF