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 Chicago Police Department will use the grant funds to provide the elementary, middle school, families, and summer G.R.E.A.T. components in an effort to improve student safety, increase positive behaviors, and control the spread and influence of gangs on area youth. Approximately 15,650 students will receive the elementary and core G.R.E.A.T. curricula. In addition, 500 students will be involved in the summer component, allowing G.R.E.A.T. instructors to re-enforce the structured lesson plans to students taught during the school year. Participants will be introduced to activities that build skills in self-esteem, team building, decision making, and cultural diversity. Forty families will be involved in the families component. Families will be identified through participating schools, social service agencies, and community based organizations. Grant funds will also be used to certify additional G.R.E.A.T. officers, which will increase the G.R.E.A.T. team to more than 100 certified instructors in the police department.

CA/NCF