Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2007, $150,000)
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 Yakima will use $150,000 of Fiscal Year 2007 Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) funding to suppress, intervene, and prevent gang pressure and youth violence for 12 months. Funds will be used to support Middle, Elementary, Family, and Summer curriculums. Funds will also go to support the Yakima Police Activity League (YPAL) Sports Camp. The middle school component will be taught by one full-time and three part-time GREAT Officers. The elementary school component will be taught by one full-time GREAT Officer that will teach two days a week. The summer component will consist of eight to twelve week sessions and will be partnered with the Yakima Police Athletic League (YPAL) sports camp and will be offered to approximately 40-60 students. The family component will reach approximately 60 families and will meet once every other month to help educate families in gang education and conflict resolution. There will be two G.R.E.A.T. Officers and one counselor assigned to facilitate the training.
CA/NCF