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 borough of Freehold, in collaboration with the Freehold Borough Police Department, the Freehold Borough School District, and the Young Men's Christian Association, will teach non-violent forms of communication and mediation to their youth. The borough will use the award funds to certify one police officer as a G.R.E.A.T instructor, and to teach the G.R.E.A.T curriculum in the middle school. The program will serve 136 sixth graders in the middle school component and an additional 40-50 students in their summer component, targeting students who are considered as high risk youth.

CA/NCF