G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training)Southeast Regional Training Center

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 Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County (MGNDC) will utilize the FY 2010 G.R.E.A.T. Regional Training Sites Program funds to continue supporting regional law enforcement agencies in establishing and implementing the G.R.E.A.T. Program. The MGNDC's Southeast Regional G.R.E.A.T. Training Center is responsible for promoting and marketing the G.R.E.A.T. program to jurisdictions and law enforcement agencies within its 12-state area. These states include: Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, including the D.C. Area and Puerto Rico.

The Southeast RTC's goals are to organize and conduct regional training programs while providing logistical support to current, regional agencies implementing G.R.E.A.T., in addition to new agencies. The following objectives will be accomplished:

(1) Recruit a minimum of three new agencies by: researching the 12-state region for potential agencies that do not have a large G.R.E.A.T. presence, attending events to promote the G.R.E.A.T. Program; and providing start up funds for new agencies;
(2) Develop one new partnership by partnering with the National Association of School Resource Officers and promoting each others' programs;
(3) Provide assistance to 24 agencies on initiating or operating a G.R.E.A.T. program by sharing ideas via the Regional website and newsletter;
(4) Encourage four agencies to start a Families Program by hosting two G.R.E.A.T. Families Trainings;
(5) Encourage five agencies to start a Summer Camp Program by gathering and providing information on existing summer programs within the Southeast Region to potential agencies;
(6) Conduct three GOTs and two GFTs;
(7) Promote the program while attending eight regional events or gatherings;
(8) Publish the Southeast Regional newsletter; and
(9) Host and maintain the Regional web site.

CA/NCF