G.R.E.A.T.

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 Miami Police Department will utilize the FY 2007 award to implement the G.R.E.A.T. program citywide, targeting juveniles residing in Model City, Allapattah, Little Havana, Coral Way, and Little Haiti. Through the implementation of the elementary and middle school components, the police department plans to achieve its goal of creating safer communities by preventing delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership while also developing a positive relationship among law enforcement, families, and young people. The program will provide critical life skills to students to help them avoid engaging in delinquent behavior and violence, and will build upon the successes of other city initiatives such as C.H.O.I.C.E. (Cops Helping Our Inner-City Children Excel) and S.T.A.R.T. (Students Targeted Against Repeat Truancy).

Grant funds will be used to: fund officers to teach the G.R.E.A.T. curriculum in the designated elementary and middle schools on an overtime basis and a supervisor to administer the program; cover travel expenses for an officer to attend the annual G.R.E.A.T. conference; and purchase supplies and necessary materials to support the program.

CA/NCF