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.

Dougherty County will use this FY 07 G.R.E.A.T. grant to support G.R.E.A.T. at its elementary and middle schools. Funds will be used for training, travel, and supplies. The program's goal is to teach over 1,400 students during the 2007-2008 school year. The G.R.E.A.T. officers will address such issues as bullying, alcohol use, drug possession, peer pressure, gang graffiti, and gangs. Dougherty County will work closely with at-risk students to educate them about alternatives to gangs and violence. Partnerships with Dougherty County Juvenile Court System and Department of Juvenile Justice will provide first time juvenile offenders with the G.R.E.A.T. curriculum as an alternative to the juvenile court system. Prosecution will not be pursued if there is successful completion of this pre-trial intervention program.

CA/NCF