Expansion of Gang Resistance Education And Training (GREAT) Services

The Congressionally Selected Awards Program, authorized by the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-8), helps improve the functioning of the criminal justice system, prevent or combat juvenile delinquency, and/or assist victims of crime (other than compensation). Funds should be used for the projects selected by Congress, in the amounts specified in the joint explanatory statement incorporated by reference into Pub. L. 111-8, and generally consistent with one or more of the following statutory purposes: improving the functioning of the criminal justice system, preventing or combating juvenile delinquency, or assisting victims of crime (other than compensation). Each of these purposes is framed using language drawn, respectively, from the former Byrne discretionary statute, the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, the Victims of Crime Act, and the Violence Against Women Act. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 09 Congressional Budget and by the joint explanatory statement that is incorporated by reference into the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

The City of San Bernardino will use funds to expand the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Middle School and Families program components. The scope of services will be enhanced with two full-time officers, Probation Officer II and Probation Officer III. The Probation Officer II will be dedicated to providing services at three high-need school sites - Arrowview, Martin Luther King, and Rodriguez Middle Schools - and the families program. Students exiting the G.R.E.A.T Middle School program need support in their transition period from middle to high school. The expansion of this program will fill this service gap by providing team coordinated case management services at the high school level for a minimum of 50 at-risk G.R.E.A.T graduates. The Probation Officer III will coordinate systems development activities, which will include developing program partnerships and the city-wide Youth Intervention/Prevention Panel, and providing program support to subordinate personnel. Program strategies will be measured through the administration of a pre- and post-middle school survey for the school-based program, which was developed by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. Additional measures will be provided through youth assessments and qualitative methods used to assess written essays, as well as assessing the number of youth and families completing the program.

NCA/NCF