Roanoke GREAT Training 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 Roanoke Police Department (RPD) will use 2007 G.R.E.A.T. funds to teach the Middle School Component of the G.R.E.A.T. Program to the City of Roanoke's entire 7th grade. In addition to the Middle School Component taught in school during the school day, the RPD program will teach selected families the Families Component in conjunction with a program at the local Boys and Girls Club as well as the Summer Component at a four day resident summer camp for 7th and 8th graders.

The RPD G.R.E.A.T. Program will function as an added class in the normal school day for the City of Roanoke's 7th graders. The Resource Officer for each school will provide the instruction for the eligible students that attend that school. The Families Component will be advertised and then presented at and through the local Boys and Girls Club. The Boys and Girls Club is located in an area most known for emerging gang type activity. The families who live and work near the Boys and Girls Club will benefit by the information provided. Gang type activity may be reduced in this neighborhood as well. The third area of the project will involve the Summer Component taught at a four day resident camp held at the local 4-H Center. At this camp, middle school aged children who attend Roanoke schools will be given instruction using the Summer Component Methods. The camp will operate four days a week and provide the attendees information on living a positive lifestyle and prepare them for the peer pressures of high school.

The Middle School Component will reach approximately 1,000 seventh graders. The Families Component should reach 50 families over five sessions and the Summer Component will reach 80 camp attendees.

CA/NCF