Gang Resistance Education and Training

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 Sunnyside will use $125,000 of Fiscal Year (FY) 2007 Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) funding to suppress, intervene, and prevent gang pressure and youth violence for students attending school in the Sunnyside School District. Funds will be used to support Elementary, Middle, Summer and Families components. The elementary school component will be taught to 450 third and 500 fourth grade students and each child will attend a six-week program that will be taught by G.R.E.A.T. certified Sunnyside police officers. The middle school component will be taught to about 425 sixth grade middle school students and each child will participate a 13-week comprehensive program. The summer component will consist of a day camp that will be offered to 75 students and will also be available to 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade summer school students. Additionally, funds will go to support the curriculum for families with children in the middle or elementary school programs. The families program will be available four times throughout the year and is expected to reach a total of 40 families.

CA/NCF