Person County 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 Person County Sheriff's Department (PCSD), in collaboration with the Person County School System, is dedicated to continuing the G.R.E.A.T program in Person County, North Carolina. The PCSD's goal is to be proactive in addressing the growing concerns about possible gang involvement with the county youth. They will use the grant funds to certify six officers as G.R.E.A.T. instructors, and teach the G.R.E.A.T curriculum in elementary and middle schools. The program will serve 497 fourth graders and 509 sixth graders, and serve 90 families in their families component, targeting high-risk level children between the ages of 10 and 14. The Person County Juvenile Court, Person County Juvenile Probation Services, and Person County Teen Court will assist with the family component referrals.

CA/NCF