G.R.E.A.T. Regional Training CenterMidwest Atlantic Region

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 coordinate 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 La Crosse Police Department (Wisconsin) will utilize the FY 2010 G.R.E.A.T. Regional Training Center program funds to continue providing technical assistance and training services for G.R.E.A.T. grantees in the Midwest Altantic Region. Specifically, the G.R.E.A.T. Midwest Atlantic Regional Training Center (GRTC) is responsible for training, technical assistance, and program outreach on behalf of the G.R.E.A.T. program to criminal justice agencies within its 16-state area. These states include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin in the Midwest and Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine in the Northeastern U.S.

The Midwest Atlantic Region is responsible for organizing and conducting regional training programs while providing logistical support to the G.R.E.A.T. agencies in the region. Regional training programs include: one and two week G.R.E.A.T. Officer Trainings (GOT); G.R.E.A.T. Families Trainings (GFT); and G.R.E.A.T. Officer In-Service (GIS). The Midwest Atlantic Region will conduct a minimum of three GOT, two GFT, and one GIS during the performance period. Promotional activities conducted by the Regional Training Center include participation in at least eight regional conferences involving both law enforcement and educational venues. This also includes forming three regional and national partnerships. The Midwest Atlantic Office will be staffed by one National Policy Board representative, one Regional Administrator, and one Regional Administrative Assistant. In addition, the Region will also contract with consultants to help promote the program at national and regional events, especially those in schedule conflict with other GRTC activities.

CA/NCF