GREAT 2007-2008 School Year

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 City of Poughkeepsie, through the Poughkeepsie Police Department, will utilize fiscal year 2007 G.R.E.A.T. Level I funding to implement the middle school, families, and summer components with the intent of dissuading the next generation of youth from involvement in gang activity and crime. The city was recently identified as one of 12 communities in the state with the highest rate of violent crime. It is anticipated that approximately 735 youth will participate in at least one program component, with those identified as being at a greater risk for gang involvement, completing all three, to increase social, cognitive, and interpersonal growth.

CA/NCF