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 East Palo Alto Police Department will use GREAT funds to to assist students in learning about their school and neighborhood, and the importance of pro-social behavior. The program involves uniformed law enforcement officers teaching a course to elementary and middle-school students which covers crime, victims and rights; cultural sensitivity/prejudice; conflict resolution; meeting basic needs; drugs/neighborhoods; responsibility; and goal setting. The goal(s) of the program are to: prevent youth crime, violence and gang involvement; create safer schools and communities; and increase the numbers of school-aged students who have the opportunity to gain a positive perception of our Officers. All schools in East Palo Alto will be served by the program; providing G.R.E.A.T instruction to all 2,444 4th-8th grade students currently enrolled in the school district. The program brings together service providers for the first time to implement an organized youth gang prevention program in our community. Partners include the East Palo Alto Police Department, the Ravenswood City School District, the Boys and Girls Club, the East Palo Alto Mural Art Project and the San Mateo County Probation Department. In addition, the program will partner with the East Palo Alto Mural Art Project and San Mateo County Probation Department to implement a summer program at the local Boys and Girls Club and the San Francisco 49ers Academy. The goal is to involve students in a variety of educational and recreational activities throughout the summer months giving them an alternative to being on the streets. Through the summer component will reinforce the school component and provide instruction in the G.R.E.A.T. core concepts, field trips, recreational and sporting events. The program will assist in forming positive community partnerships through a variety of community service activities.

CA/NCF