Caddo County FY 2007 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.

The Caddo County Sheriff's Office will utilize their Fiscal Year 2007 grant to provide students of middle and elementary schools with a prevention education program to encourage a reduction in delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership. Some of the goals will be to continue to teach students critical thinking skills to develop coping mechanisms for academic achievement and for life success; continue the elementary, middle school and family component of GREAT; continue curriculum strategies and programs that include youth court, peer mediation, conflict resolution, character building, bullying prevention and law related education. As with the other two components, the Families Component the emphasis is on the high risk youth and families.

CA/NCF