National Training and Technical Assistance Support to the Gang Resistance Education And Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program

OJJDP's Demonstration Programs Division Grants were established to provide grants, cooperative agreements, and other assistance to organizations. This program is authorized by the Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011, Pub. L. 112-110.

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 will 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 Institute for Intergovernmental Research (IIR) will provide national training coordination services and technical assistance support to the G.R.E.A.T. Program. The G.R.E.A.T. Program is a school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curriculum. With prevention as its primary objective, the program is intended as an immunization against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership. The G.R.E.A.T. Program has developed partnerships with nationally recognized organizations, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the National Association of Police Athletic Leagues. These partnerships encourage positive relationships among the community, parents, schools, and law enforcement officers. The G.R.E.A.T. Program offers a continuum of components for students and their families. Under the direction of OJJDP, IIR will assist and support the G.R.E.A.T. Program's policy and training management structure, and coordinate/manage the delivery of the training and technical assistance. Four regional training centers provide training to sworn law enforcement officers to teach the G.R.E.A.T. curriculum in elementary and middle schools across the country. IIR will use a wide range of delivery methods, goals that include providing meeting, conference, and training planning and support; providing technical assistance and communication; and providing local G.R.E.A.T. project support.

CA/NCF