BJA FY 2006 G.R.E.A.T.

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 Phoenix Police Department will utilize the 2006 G.R.E.A.T funds to prevent youth crime, violence and gang involvement by utilizing a life-skills competency program that will provide youth with skills they need to avoid gang pressure, youth violence and criminal activity while developing a positive relationship among law enforcement, families and the young to create safer communities.

The G.R.E.A.T. middle and elementary school curriculum is skills-based and designed to produce knowledge with behavioral changes through the use of easier teaching, positive behavioral rehearsal, cooperative and interactive learning techniques and extended teacher activities. The G.R.E.A.T. Summer Program will be another community partnership effort between local law enforcement and the schools and the G.R.E.A.T. Families Program will be designed to engage families as part of a community policing effort to reduce crime and delinquency and to promote positive family relations and provide resource information for families.

CA/NCF