Toledo Police Department 2007 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 Toledo Police Department will use this 2007 G.R.E.A.T. grant to implement all components of the G.R.E.A.T. program: Middle School, Elementary School, Summer Program and Family Components. The Elementary School Component will target 1,350 5th graders in eight elementary schools. The Middle School Component will target 814 at-risk 7th grade students in three middle schools. The Summer Component will consist of three 40-hour one-week sessions at various locations in partnership with the YMCA, Police Athletic League (PAL) and Boys and Girls Club and will target 100 high-risk students from the Toledo Public School District. The Family Component will target 35 at-risk families in two six-week sessions at two locations.

CA/NCF