G.R.E.A.T. San Francisco 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 and County of San Francisco Police Department will utilize fiscal year 2008 funding to expand its current G.R.E.A.T. program to include an elementary school component in both Flynn and Sanchez Elementary Schools, which have been identified as Title I schools serving high-risk students. A family component and summer component will also be established in collaboration with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department and the San Francisco Boys and Girls Club. It is anticipated that approximately 2,200 middle school students and 120 elementary school students will receive the curricula that aims to stem the onset of truancy, alcohol and drug use, violent behavior, and potential gang affiliation. In addition, it is estimated that the family component will serve at least ten family members over the project period, while the summer component will serve 200 students.

CA/NCF