G.R.E.A.T. Kids in Warroad Public Schools

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 Warroad Police Department will use this grant to implement the G.R.E.A.T. elementary program, middle school program, summer component, and family component. The police department intends to implement the G.R.E.A.T. program to every single child in grades 4-8 in the town of Warroad. All children that participate in the school program will be invited to attend the summer program as a way to continue the G.R.E.A.T. teachings. A school student assistance team will select high-risk families for G.R.E.A.T. family component. The assistance team is comprised of social workers, school nurse, principals, Indian Education Department and ESL coordinators, and regular and special education teachers. The Warroad Police Department anticipates teaching the G.R.E.A.T. program to 76 fourth graders, 82 fifth graders, 87 sixth graders, 101 seventh graders, and 98 eighth graders. The summer program will be open to 450 students, and the family component will provide program activities to 10 families.

CA/NCF