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 city of Carbondale, through the police department, will use the grant funds to provide the elementary, middle school, families, and summer G.R.E.A.T. components to approximately 260 fourth and six grade students and 20 families. The police department will offer the summer component to 80 students, and will include recreational and educational activities aimed at teaching self-esteem and confidence building. The families component will be provided to 20 families in order to engage parents and their children in cooperative lessons designed to enhance family communication and decision-making skills. Grant funds will also be used to certify three officers in the delivery of the families component.

CA/NCF