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

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The Gang Resistance Education And Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program (42 U.S.C. § 13921) is a school-based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curriculum administered by the Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) in cooperation with the Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The program's primary objective is prevention and is intended as an immunization against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership. G.R.E.A.T. lessons focus on providing life skills to students to help them avoid engaging in delinquent behavior and violence to solve problems. Criminal justice professionals with powers of arrest—police officers, sheriff’s deputies, parole or probation officers, school police officers, federal law enforcement officers/agents, prosecutors, judges, court officials, district attorneys—are eligible to teach G.R.E.A.T. All individuals wishing to deliver the program in the classroom must complete a G.R.E.A.T. Officer Training Course. Per the National G.R.E.A.T. Program Policies and Guidelines, G.R.E.A.T. officers are responsible for maintaining their G.R.E.A.T. certification. G.R.E.A.T. funds may be used to support one or more of the following G.R.E.A.T. curricula, components, and activities: 13-week middle school curriculum (a core, mandatory component); 6-week elementary (4th and 5th grades) curriculum; 6-lesson G.R.E.A.T. families component; or G.R.E.A.T. summer component.

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