Dona Ana 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 Doña Aña County Sheriff's Office will use funding to hire additional G.R.E.A.T. officers. The program will include the elementary school, middle school, families, and summer components. The elementary school curriculum with be taught to approximately 495 students in the fourth and fifth grades. The middle school component will involve an estimated 2,000 seventh grade students. The summer program will be offered to between 150 and 200 youth and conducted in collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club of Las Cruces and the Dream Center, a faith-based organization. The families component will serve approximately 60 families. The Doña Aña County Public Schools recognize that academic achievement can only be possible in a safe and disciplined school climate that supports instruction and student learning. Several program initiatives are in place to reduce student aggression and violence in schools and produce a positive learning environment. The G.R.E.A.T. Program is recognized as an initiative that positively bonds students to school and supports their need for belonging and having goals for academic achievement.

CA/NCF