Probation G.R.E.A.T. Program - San Bernardino City Schools Collaborative

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 San Bernardino County Probation Department will use fiscal year 2008 G.R.E.A.T. funds to provide the elementary, middle school, families, and summer components to approximately 3,150 students and 25 families in an effort to increase area youths' negative views of gangs, trust for law enforcement, and school attendance. Within the past three years, the community has experienced an increase in the number of gang homicides, coupled with high risk factors of social disorganization, availability of drugs and firearms, and large numbers of generational gangs that have built bonds within certain communities. High need locations within the district will be targeted for G.R.E.A.T. as well as programs that include individual, family and/or group therapy, and psychiatric services.

CA/NCF