Gang Resistance Education and Training 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 Metropolitan Nashville Police Department's primary goal is prevention. The department's G.R.E.A.T. program is intended to serve as an immunization to communities against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership. Metro Nashville is a community of over a half-million residents and operates a public school system of over 85,000. Fiscal Year 2007 G.R.E.A.T. funds will be used in the most efficient manner possible and will provide for the critical program services and supplies that are necessary in the administration of this program. The program will include the elementary school, middle school, families, and summer components. The department expects to serve approximately 1200 fourth grade students in the elementary school program, 4500 sixth grade students in the middle school program, 60 families in the families program, and 320 youth in the summer program. Staffing will consist of 32 G.R.E.A.T. certified school resource officers, two school resource sergeants, two G.R.E.A.T. supervisors, one G.R.E.A.T. certified lieutenant, and one program administrator. Positive collaborations will be established with other delinquency prevention agencies as well as the private sector.

CA/NCF