Funding to provide youths with the skills and techniques needed to avoid gang pressure and to resist youth volence.

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 Philadelphia Housing Authority Police Department (PHAPD) has implemented the G.R.E.A.T. program for the residents of the Philadelphia Housing Authority since 1999. With the 2006 G.R.E.A.T funds, PHAPD will continue to concentrate its efforts on middle school students within its jurisdiction. However, to combat the increased level of youth violence, PHAPD plans to increase the overall number of elementary and middle school students. The goal of the PHAPD G.R.E.A.T. program in to increase youth participation by at least 5% over last year.

CA/NCF