City of Biloxi's 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 City of Biloxi will utilize the FY 2008 G.R.E.A.T. award to expand its program to include both the middle school and summer components. The G.R.E.A.T. curriculum will be taught to all children at Michel, the only seventh grade school in the city, and expects to serve approximately 399 students during the school year. The summer program will serve approximately 50 of the highest risk students who participated in the middle school component. The City will coordinate the G.R.E.A.T. program with other community programs to help promote a positive relationship with law enforcement and curb potential gang participation. Grant funds will be used for personnel costs and travel expenses associated with the G.R.E.A.T. Officer Certification and annual conference.

CA/NCF