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 coordinates 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 Metropolitan School District (MSD) of Pike Township will use the grant funds to provide the elementary, middle school, and summer components to every fourth and sixth grade student in the district. Upon completion of the course, students will participate in the No Violence is G.R.E.A.T. Day in downtown Indianapolis. The event is an annual celebration of youth remaining drug and violence free. In addition, the summer component will be offered to approximately 100 students during the Police Influencing Kids through Education (P.I.K.E.) enrichment camps. This component will provide students an opportunity to enhance their social skills through additional training in conflict resolution, goal setting, cultural awareness, and safety education, while adding structure to their summer months. In an effort to increase awareness of the impact of gangs on the community, the MSD will also host a gang symposium for administrators, security directors, and educators from all eight township school corporations within Marion County and the Indianapolis school system. The symposium will include a session on the G.R.E.A.T. program in order to demonstrate the benefits of participation and the positive effects of a county-wide collaboration. Remaining funds will be used to support officer training.

CA/NCF