Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2009, $35,000)
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 Richmond Police Department will use FY 2010 Bureau of Justice Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program funds to support middle school and summer components. The G.R.E.A.T. Program is a school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curriculum. The program's primary objective is prevention and is intended as an immunization against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership. G.R.E.A.T. lessons focus on providing life skills to students to help them avoid delinquent behavior and violence to solve problems.
The Richmond Police Department has committed two full-time School Resource Officers (SRO) who will be G.R.E.A.T. certified, in addition to a police sergeant certified to assist in the program when needed. The goal is to start with the summer component, followed by the middle school component.
The Middle School Component will be taught in three middle schools with the total enrollment of the 6th graders in the district is (468) and at risk students comprise (234). The program is expected to reach 100% of targeted at risk students and the Summer Component will be hosted at the Richmond Teen Center. The lessons taught by G.R.E.A.T. officers will be supplemented by guest speakers, which may include members of the faith community, circuit and district judges, high ranking officials, and college and high school athletic coaches. Field trips will be provided to help enhance team-building concepts, promote program lessons, and provide opportunities to take part in activities that may not have been available to the students otherwise.
CA/NCF