Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT)

WHAT IS THE GREAT PROGRAM?

  • Evidence-based prevention program
  • Immunize against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership
  • Develop positive relationships with law enforcement
  • Law enforcement officer-instructed curriculum that teaches youth:
    • Life-skills competencies
    • Goal Setting
    • Empathy and pride for the Community
    • Violence-prevention and conflict-resolution techniques
    • Decision-making and problem-solving skills

GREAT’S FOCUS

  • Vision: Building safer communities one child at a time
  • Mission: Prevent youth crime, violence, and gang involvement
  • Slogan: Choose to be GREAT

Objectives

  • Help youth avoid gang membership
  • Prevent violence and criminal activity
  • Develop positive relationships with law enforcement

The Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice’s Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) program is a closed 16-week group designed for school-age youth (14-18). GREAT is endorsed by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention as an evidence-based program used to prevent gang involvement and violence. Using the YASI risk assessment, this program targets youth with an overall Moderate to High risk level; especially those moderate to high in the domains of Community & Peers, Skills, and Attitudes. Moreover, youth who display behaviors that place them at risk of joining gangs should be referred to the program. These include, for example, charges of mob assault, unauthorized use, grand larceny auto (with co-defendants), burglary (with co-defendants), weapons offenses, violent felonies, or any other charge where the youth appear to be influenced by negative peers. The GREAT program meets once a week for 1.5 hours of group instruction. Additionally, Youth are required to have seven hours of Casey Life Skills (provided DJJ's regional service coordinator Evidence-Based Associates) per week as they undergo participation in the GREAT program. This will provide youth with practical support to ensure they succeed in the program and life.