Cleveland 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 city of Cleveland will utilize its fiscal year 2009 G.R.E.A.T. award to provide the elementary, middle school, summer, and families components to approximately 1,700 youth and 30 families in an effort to curb escalating juvenile violence within the city. Local data indicates there are 83 gangs with an estimated 3,700 gang members in the city, and juvenile arrests have increased by 20% within the past year. Through the grant, targeted schools, selected based upon high risk factors in the surrounding neighborhoods and by recommendations from school officials, will receive the structured G.R.E.A.T. lesson plans in an effort to provide students with the tools necessary to avoid making poor choices while establishing positive contacts with law enforcement. The city's G.R.E.A.T. program will be offered in collaboration with multiple local, state, and federal entities, to include the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Cleveland Municipal School District, and the Boys and Girls Club. Program outcomes will be measured by school staff.

CA/NCF