G.R.E.A.T. 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 County of San Diego will utilize its Fiscal Year 2007 G.R.E.A.T funding to implement a Level 1 category program at eight middle schools. Over a 12 month timeline the county will establish a referral process and develop relationships with target schools countywide, implement the G.R.E.A.T curriculum regionally at middle schools, collect school and juvenile justice data, and conduct surveys with youth and families. To ensure program integrity, collaborative partners will have monthly meetings.

CA/NCF