Harrisburg''s 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 Harrisburg Bureau of Police will use their 2006 G.R.E.A.T. funds to start a G.R.E.A.T. Program with the Harrisburg School District (HSD), and the Dauphin County Juvenile Probation Agency (JPO). These agencies have identified the need for a prevention program for juveniles before they commit criminal acts and enter the criminal justice system. The Program will be implemented in 12 school buildings that are grades K-3 to 8th grades, and will include a 13-week program for grades 4th through 7th that will reach over 2500 students. The G.R.E.A.T. Families Training (an instructional tool for parents to involve themselves in their child's life) program will be implemented through the Harrisburg School District. The Harrisburg Police will work in conjunction with the State Attorney General's Office in implementing the Safe Street Initiative, a gun prevention program. The Dauphin County District Attorney's Office has committed themselves to instructing students on internet safety and cyber crimes. The Harrisburg Police will assist the Harrisburg School District in implementing the Olweus Bully Prevention Program. This program will be implemented in 12 schools, 4th through 6th grades, reaching 1786 students in the 2006-2007 school year. This program is a comprehensive, district-wide program designed for use in elementary, middle, or junior high schools. Its goals are to reduce and prevent bullying problems among schoolchildren and to improve peer relations at school.

CA/NCF