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 Orlando will use the fiscal year 2009 G.R.E.A.T. funds to deliver the elementary, middle school, summer, and families components. Recently, the city was ranked as one of the most violent in the nation, with gang related violent crime on the rise. Through the grant, the city police department aims to reach approximately 3,000 students and family members in order to help them develop the life skills needed to become productive, self-motivated, and responsible individuals by teaching positive values, conflict resolution, and how to positively face challenges encountered in their daily lives.

CA/NCF