FY 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 Phoenix Police Department will use its Fiscal Year 2008 G.R.E.A.T. award to continue to educate elementary and middle school students, along with their families, by utilizing a life-skills competency program that will provide youth with the skills they need to avoid gang pressure, youth violence, and criminal activity while developing a positive relationship among law enforcement, families, and youth to create safer communities. Both the middle and elementary school courses are designed to produce knowledge with attitudinal and behavioral changes using facilitative teaching, positive behavioral rehearsal, cooperative and interactive learning techniques, and extended teacher activities. There will also be a summer component, where students will take part in classroom activities, team-building games, educational field trips, and community service projects on a daily basis. The family component will use group interaction, activities, and skills practice to engage parents and their children (ages 10 -14) to foster a more positive family functioning. School counselors, educators, and law enforcement personnel will be staffing these programs. The Phoenix Police Department will also organize smaller activities, like the Phoenix Police Explorer and Cadet Program, which will teach youth leadership skills and the importance of civic responsibility, and get them involved in police-related activities. The police department collaborates with faith-based organizations, Cox Communications, the Federal Weed and Seed program, and the Coyotes NHL team in order to create effective activities and trainings.

CA/NCF