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 Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office will use the fiscal year 2009 G.R.E.A.T. funds to implement the elementary, middle school, and summer components. It is anticipated 1,358 seventh graders will receive the structured lessons during the grant period, while the elementary component will be taught to 641 students. The summer component will be offered to 40 students and will involve collaborations with community-based organizations. The summer program will also include field trips and guest speakers who are former troubled youth, politicians, and criminal justice professionals. Efforts will be coordinated with school resource officers, school administrators, counselors, and teachers in order to reach high risk students in each school.

CA/NCF