PBPN/RVES GREAT 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 Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation (PBPN) will use the FY 2010 Bureau of Justice Assistance Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program funds to support the elementary and middle school, families, and summer components. Partnerships between PBPN and Royal Valley School District (RVSD) will be key to the success of this program. Delivery of the programs will occur on the reservation at the Boys and Girls Club. Mentoring will take place with Youth Friends through the RVSD.

The general student population is a high-risk group based on socio-economic indicators and the risk factors provided by Communities that Care Survey (CTC) data. The goal is to use three methods to reach students - a required school-based component for grades 4 and 6; school-wide components for grades 4-8; and a summer-school activity component for grades 4-8. By implementing G.R.E.A.T. programming, PBPN will integrate the G.R.E.A.T. lessons with the state standards for language arts for academic support. The program's goal will be preventing gang violence, drug abuse, and gang related crime.

CA/NCF