Griffith 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 City of Griffith Police Department will use award funds to sponsor the 13-week G.R.E.A.T. middle school curriculum and the summer component. The department will use gang intelligence and statistics from the schools and department to identify at-risk neighborhoods and youth. High schools with increased gang-related problems will be identified and middle schools will be targeted for the G.R.E.A.T. Program. The summer component will include classroom sessions and extra curricular activities that provide opportunities for cognitive social and self-esteem building skills.

CA/NCF