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 Village of Hempstead will use $38,543 in funding to provide the G.R.E.A.T curriculum to all 485 third graders and all 500 sixth graders in the Hempstead School District. Two police officers will provide third graders with a four-week course at the five elementary schools in the District. Two police officers will provide sixth graders with a 13-week course to be given at the Hempstead Middle School. A fifth police officers will provide back-up to the four officers responsible for teaching G.R.E.A.T., and will also provide a consistent presence at the Middle School.

CA/NCF