FY 2008 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 curricula help students develop values and practice behaviors that will help them avoid destructive activities. G.R.E.A.T. program staff coordinate project activities with federal, regional, state, and local agencies, as well as individuals from community and civic groups. The goal of the program is to train criminal justice professionals to deliver a school-based curriculum that teaches life-skills competencies, gang awareness, and violence-avoidance techniques.

The Outagamie County Sheriff's Department will use fiscal year 2008 funding to implement four components of the G.R.E.A.T. program in an effort to address the growing gang presence within the county. The G.R.E.A.T. curricula will reinforce other school-based initiatives already in place, to include peer mediation, anti-bullying, and guidance programs. During the proposed project period, it is anticipated that approximately 1,243 students and 83 families will take part in the program. These numbers represent a 7.8 percent increase in the number of students taught when compared to prior year G.R.E.A.T. program related activities. Because of the anticipated growth in implementation, the Sheriff's Department will complete the certification process for two additional G.R.E.A.T. officers in order to meet projected goals. Efforts to develop collaborations with other federal and local agencies to improve upon program outcomes will be sought throughout the grant period.

CA/NCF