FY 2009 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 Portland Police Bureau will utilize FY 2009 G.R.E.A.T. funding to provide the elementary, middle school, summer, and families components to area youth in an effort to combat gang crime and violence. During the grant period, one full-time and 38 part-time officers will deliver the structured lesson plans to approximately 3,586 youth and 40 families in targeted areas of the city. Because of a marked increase in younger children becoming involved in gang activity, the bureau intends to continue efforts in reaching the highest number of elementary students its resources will permit, while also strengthening bonds and facilitating the direct positive contact between city youth and members of the police bureau.

CA/NCF