City of Spartanburg 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 City of Spartanburg, in collaboration with the City of Spartanburg Public Safety Department (SPSD), will use the FY 2008 G.R.E.A.T. funds to provide Spartanburg County middle and elementary schools with a prevention education program to encourage a reduction in delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership. The partnership with the SPSD in implementing the G.R.E.A.T. program will help youth gain positive attitudes toward law enforcement and increase school safety.

Starting in December 2008, SPSD will deliver the 13-week middle school G.R.E.A.T. curriculum to approximately 315 seventh graders, and the six-week elementary school curriculum to approximately 481 fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. Classes will be provided during the spring and fall semesters of 2009. During summer 2009, the G.R.E.A.T. summer component will be provided to at least 309 youth at the Northwest Center Weed and Seed Safe Haven (which is a City Parks and Recreation Center), the Boys and Girls Clubs, and other after school programs.

During the year, the G.R.E.A.T. families component will be offered to at least 25 families. The SPSD will utilize existing locations where families meet, including housing authority meetings and community center meetings. The parents will be introduced to the program through information distributed at Parent Teacher Association meetings as well as Open House meetings. Also, information will be provided to educate the community about the program during the G.R.E.A.T. Safety Scene Show, which is the SPSD's public safety outreach event. In addition, the SPSD will send three G.R.E.A.T. trained officers to the G.R.E.A.T. conference, and train two School Resource Officers in the G.R.E.A.T. curriculum.

CA/NCF