Village of Justice 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 Justice Police Department will utilize this Fiscal Year 2007 G.R.E.A.T grant to teach the G.R.E.A.T program to the 5th, 6th and 7th grade students in the Village of Justice. The total number of students to participate in the G.R.E.A.T. program will be 580. The program will provide the students with the skills and life lessons needed to avoid the pressures of gang and youth violence. The program will be taught by one certified officer and will include special presentations by motivational speakers. The highest risk youth will be offered participation in P.A.C.T. (Police And Children Together) camp during the summer months.

CA/NCF