Gang Resistance Education And Training Program (G.R.E.A.T.)

G.R.E.A.T. is a school-based life-skills competency program taught by uniformed police officers.  G.R.E.A.T. is designed to enable youth to make sound decisions, avoid conflicts, be responsible, set positive goals, resist peer pressure, and develop positive attitudes toward police officers.  Its goal is prevention of violence, especially that which is associated with gang activity.  The G.R.E.A.T. Program consists of four independent but complementary components:

• The middle school and elementary school components are skills-based curricula designed to produce knowledge and attitudinal and behavioral changes through the use of facilitative teaching, positive behavior rehearsal, cooperative and interactive learning techniques, and extended teacher activities.
• The summer component builds on the school-based curricula by offering students an opportunity to enhance their social skills through engaging in fun, constructive activities, adding structure to the summer months.
• G.R.E.A.T. Families is a research-based family-strengthening program consisting of a six-session family curriculum and a family/community resource guide.   The G.R.E.A.T. Families curriculum uses group interaction, activities, and skills practice to engage parents and children and foster positive family functioning.

The Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR) serves as the training and technical assistance support provider for the G.R.E.A.T. Program through grant awards received from the Bureau of Justice Assistance and from the Office of Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice.  In cooperation with four independent Regional Training Centers, IIR provides coordination of the national training program, curriculum development and policy development assistance, logistical support, national distribution of essential teaching materials to local agencies, meeting coordination, and information systems support for the G.R.E.A.T. Program.  In addition, IIR provides direct training, materials distribution, program monitoring and evaluation, and logistical and information systems support to national police officers in the seven countries of Central America, through a grant from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, U.S. Department of State.

For more information, please visit the G.R.E.A.T. Program Web site.