City of Los Banos 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 Los Banos Police Department (LBPD) will use the grant funds to teach the G.R.E.A.T. Program's middle school and elementary school components to more than 650 fifth grade and nearly 700 sixth grade students enrolled in the Los Banos Unified School District. The G.R.E.A.T. Program is fully supported by the Los Banos Unified School District, and the day-to-day operation and administrative control of the program will be the responsibility of the LBPD. The program will be taught by two LBPD officers assigned to the Gang Apprehension/Investigation Team and the officers will partner with the Police Athletic League (PAL). The officers will be responsible for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the G.R.E.A.T. program and supporting their PAL partner with program activities. A sustainability plan will be developed to identify potential funding sources, e.g., businesses, organizations, prevention programs, and foundations.

CA/NCF