G.R.E.A.T. San Francisco 2007

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 San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) will use its Fiscal Year 2007 G.R.E.A.T funding to expand its current G.R.E.A.T. Middle School Component to include an Elementary School Component at Flynn Elementary School. This school is a Title I school serving high-risk students. In collaboration with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department a Family Component and Summer Component will be established at the Hamilton Recreation Center. The Family and Summer components are being coordinated with schools and the city Park and Recreation Department for presentation during break periods from school. The San Franscisco Police Department plans to teach the G.R.E.A.T. program to 120 fourth grade students, 2300 sixth grade students, 30 families, and 80-100 youth during the Summer Component.

CA/NCF