Vista 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 City of Vista will implement the G.R.E.A.T. Middle School and Elementary School components in Rancho Minerva and Washington Middle Schools, as well as their 'feeder' elementary schools, Maryland, Crestview, Olive, Casita, Grapevine, and Beaumont. G.R.E.A.T. will be implemented in the Exploration course at each of the schools. In addition, the program will be offered during '0' period (the period before the start of the school day) to ensure that those students that do not have the Exploration class have the opportunity to participate.

CA/NCF