Gang Resistance Education and Training

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 Board of Education for the City of Peoria will use these grant funds to teach the G.R.E.A.T. Program to 1,100 5th grade students during the school year, 500 6th grade students during the school year, and 180 5th grade students during the summer months. The program will be coordinated by the Board of Education's District 150 Campus Police. The G.R.E.A.T. Program will be coordinated with the city's truancy assessment center, liaison program, district 150 youth forum, community schools, Adopt-a-School partners, and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Peoria. The District 150 Campus Police have developed and will implement a sustainment plan to retain the program once Federal funds are exhausted. They will also work the national G.R.E.A.T. program evaluators to measure the impact of their program.

CA/NCF