G.R.E.A.T. Program for Gibraltar, Westwood, and Woodhaven-Brookstown Students

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 Gibraltar, Westwood, and Woodhaven-Brookstown school districts will work in partnership with the police departments in their districts to implement the G.R.E.A.T. elementary school, middle school, summer, and families components. The middle school component will be taught to all students in the entry grade of middle or junior high school (sixth or seventh grade) and will involve approximately 920 students. The Gibraltar and Woodhaven-Brookstown school districts will offer the elementary school component to an estimated 215 fourth grade students. The summer component will be offered to 60 high-risk students. This component will include instruction on anger management, positive goal setting, conflict resolution skills, and self-esteem building. In addition, youth will participate in community service activities and field trips. The families program will also be offered during the summer months and approximately 120 family members will be served.

CA/NCF