FY 2009 Gang Resistance Education and Training 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 Banning, through its police department, will use fiscal year 2009 G.R.E.A.T. grant funds to provide the elementary and middle school components to approximately 721 students in the Banning Unified School District in an effort to educate and encourage youth to resist negative influences they may face. During the course of the program, special guest speakers will be invited to participate in the classroom sessions in an effort to enhance the lessons provided. In addition, G.R.E.A.T. branded items will be given to students as a reward for their behavior and positive choices made. Through the combined efforts of the G.R.E.A.T. program, law enforcement, school faculty, and the community, at-risk youth will be provided every resource available in order to help them make positive choices in their lives.

CA/NCF