Teaneck GREAT 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 Teaneck Police Department will use their 2007 G.R.E.AT. funds to implement the G.R.E.A.T. core curriculum for the sixth grade and a summer component. The department feels that these components will best reach the high-risk youth by allowing for a continuation of their efforts through the summer months, when school is not in session. The summer component will include three family events and an enhanced Junior Police Academy program. The G.R.E.A.T. program expects to serve 292 students in the middle school and summer programs.

CA/NCF