The 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 Richmond Police Department will use the grant funds to facilitate the G.R.E.A.T. Program in each of the nine middle schools that have approximately 2,400 7th graders. A large concentration of effort and resources will be for two middle schools that serve the South Richmond target area. Those schools are Boushall and Elkhardt Middle Schools. Collectively those schools serve approximately 650 7th grade students. The program curriculum will be taught by G.R.E.A.T. certified officers.

CA/NCF