City of McKinney, Level I GREAT 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 City of McKinney has been recognized as one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. The McKinney Police Department (MPD) has documented eighteen gangs with leadership of eleven national gangs residing and conducting business within the McKinney city limits. One consistent fact is there is a growing presence of gangs in the school district. The MPD will use the FY 2007 G.R.E.A.T. funds to implement the Elementary and Middle School Components. The program will target four elementary schools and two middles schools. The elementary schools are Caldwell, Finch, Malvern and Webb. The middle schools are Faubion and Johnson. The G.R.E.A.T. officers will participate in implementing the STREET Smarts program at the Boys and Girls Club which reinforces and builds-upon the G.R.E.A.T. curriculum and is a comprehensive approach to reduce violence and develop positive self-identities for McKinney's most at-risk youth. STREET Smarts consist of four modules: Gang Awareness and Resistance, Conflict Resolution, Positive Peer Helpers, and Valuing Differences. G.R.E.A.T. discusses roles and responsibilities and what the student can do about gangs. The STREET Smarts lesson has activities centered on laws pertaining to gangs and delinquency, what gangs are doing in the community, and what is the student's role in the community.

CA/NCF