Harris County Constable Precinct 6 GREAT

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.

Harris County Precinct 6 will implement all four components - the Elementary School, Middle School, Family, and Summer programs for the FY 2007 G.R.E.A.T. program. The department has developed a comprehensive program to combat gang activity and has identified several areas for strategic intervention such as truancy, high percentage of dysfunctional families, drug activity, on-campus violence, and low-test scores. These areas of concern will be addressed by implementing the four components of the G.R.E.A.T. program; providing family counseling, community outreach, and mentoring; and educating parents, educators, community leaders, and others on the intricacies of gang life and how to prevent gang activity. The elementary and middle school curricula, which follow G.R.E.A.T. guidelines, will focus on positive conflict resolution, enhancing communication skills, goal setting, community involvement, developing better self-esteem, anger management, and cultural diversity.

CA/NCF