Glendale 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 Glendale Police Department's G.R.E.A.T. certified officers will teach several components of the G.R.E.A.T. program. The elementary component will be conducted at the 4th grade level at 22 schools and will serve approximately 2,050 students. This program will be conducted throughout the 2007/2008 school year. The middle school program will be administered to the 6th and 7th grades at 23 different schools and will involve approximately 2,500 students. A pre and post test/survey will be given to the students to determine if there is a noticeable change in the understanding of participation in gangs. During the summer break two 2-week summer component classes will be conducted consisting of approximately 150 students. Two Family Certified Instructors will conduct the families component to at-risk family groups, 2 groups of 10 totaling 20 participants.

CA/NCF