Chehalis Tribe 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 Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation will use $18,883 of Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 Gang Resistance Education And Training (G.R.E.A.T.) funding to provide children with the skills necessary to suppress, intervene, and prevent gang pressure. Funding will also go to problem solving programs to provide youth with skills necessary to resolve conflicts. The tribe will assign two Chehalis Tribal police officers to teach the G.R.E.A.T curriculum in the Oakville school district for students attending elementary school, middle school, and summer programs. The G.R.E.A.T. elementary curriculum will consist of six 30-45 minute lessons and will be delivered to approximately 18 students in the 4th grade and 24 students in the 5th grade class. The G.R.E.A.T. middle school curriculum will consist of thirteen 45'60 minute lessons and will be taught to 24 students in the 6th grade, 19 students in the 7th grade, and 19 students in the 8th grade class. The G.R.E.A.T summer program will provide students with positive activities and increase their opportunities for social, cognitive, and interpersonal growth. The program will work in collaboration with the Chehalis Summer Youth Program and will provide summer jobs to 40 participants. Although many participants in this program are high school students, the G.R.E.A.T program will provide ten slots for elementary and middle school students that are not enrolled in the Oakville school district. The summer curriculum will consist of six lesson plans gleaned from successful programs in the elementary and middle school.

CA/NCF