Saint Paul Police Department G.R.E.A.T. Program, 2008

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 Saint Paul Police Department will use fiscal year 2008 G.R.E.A.T. funds to provide the elementary, middle school, families and summer components to schools that have been identified as having high-risk youth and also to those that have requested implementation of the program. The main objectives of the Saint Paul Police Department are to educate youth, deter delinquent activity, and decrease youth violence and gang membership by helping youth make positive life choices in school, home, and community environments. Because of prior success, the elementary and middle school components will be expanded through this grant. Approximately 260 fifth grade students will receive the elementary component, while an estimated 1,855 students will participate in the middle school curriculum. The families component will include parents and/or guardians as well as siblings, and is expected to be provided to 20 families, identified as high-risk by G.R.E.A.T. instructors and educational staff. The summer component will be offered to approximately 250 youth and will include field trips and educational activities.

CA/NCF