Gang Resistance Education and Training 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 Topeka Police Department will use the grant funds to teach the G.R.E.A.T. Program to nearly 1,000 sixth-grade students in Jardine, Robinson, Landon, Chase, Eisenhower, and French Middle School in Unified School District 501. Funds will be used to implement the summer (60 children) and family (50 families) component. The G.R.E.A.T. Program is fully supported by the Topeka Public School District and the day-to-day operation and administrative control of the Program will be the responsibility of the Topeka Police Department. Six police officers and one sergeant will teach the G.R.E.A.T. program and the officers will partner with the Parks and Recreation Department and the Police Athletic League to deliver the G.R.E.A.T. Summer Program. The officers will have direct responsibility for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of G.R.E.A.T. program activities, including the responsibility for assisting their partners in the exchange of information and coordination of activities and technical assistance. A sustainability plan will be developed to identify potential funding sources, e.g., businesses, organizations, prevention programs, and foundations.

CA/NCF