2009 G.R.E.A.T. Program (Revised for 2010-11)

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 Grass Valley will use the FY 2010 Bureau of Justice Assistance Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program funds to support elementary, middle school, families, 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 curriculum will be offered to 170 fourth graders, 151 fifth graders, and 178 seventh graders. The family components will be provided opportunities for interaction with and speaking to parents at these events to promote the G.R.E.A.T. themes. The curriculum will be offered to 400 students by implementing the summer camp/after school program component.

The Grass Valley Police Department will be reinforcing positive relationships and perceptions of law enforcement with the local youth. The program's goal will be to work in conjunction with the respective school districts in preventing gang violence, drug abuse, and gang related crime within the city of Grass Valley.

CA/NCF