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 Durham will use the fiscal year 2009 G.R.E.A.T. funds to deliver the elementary, middle school, summer, and families components. The city police department has documented more than 1,000 individuals as gang members or affiliates. In an effort to combat the rising numbers and crimes committed, the department anticipates reaching 2,267 students and 20 families through the grant. Sixteen elementary schools and five middle schools have been identified and targeted for the core and elementary components because of the number of at-risk students in attendance. Officers will be assigned to facilitate the lessons at these schools and will be present on campus to continue to develop relationships with the students and reinforce the positive concepts of G.R.E.A.T. Referrals for the families component will be made by Durham County juvenile justice counselors, and students identified as being at-risk during the school year by G.R.E.A.T. officers and school administrators will be invited to participate in the summer component.

CA/NCF