Gang Resistance Education and Training (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 Gulfport, through the Gulfport Police Department's School Resource Officer Unit, will provide the elementary, middle school, and summer components to area youth with the overall goals of creating safer schools and communities by building positive relationships among law enforcement, families, and young people, and preventing youth crime, violence, and gang involvement. Lesson plans will be directed toward reaching the highest-risk youth in the community by offering the elementary and middle school programs at every public elementary and middle school, as well as an after-school program for disadvantaged students. In order to accomplish these goals, grant funds will support transportation costs for students, academic tutoring services, and travel expenses associated with the G.R.E.A.T. officer training and annual conference.

CA/NCF