Orange County 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 Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) will use FY 2007 G.R.E.A.T. funds in Orange County schools for: expanding the G.R.E.A.T. program into ten elementary schools; teaching the core middle school curriculum to sixth-grade students; conducting a summer program at six middle schools; and conducting one evening families component for six weeks. The OCSO will participate in G.R.E.A.T. Officer Training as Team Leaders, Gang Specialists, Regional Administrators, and Seminar Supervisors in several Regions across the United States. Award funds will be used to support instructors' salaries and overtime, required travel to conferences and training, and program supplies.

CA/NCF