Related Info & Pages G.R.E.A.T. Program National Site

In December 1993, the Philadelphia Police Department sent 11 Police Officers, 1 Sergeant, and 1 Lieutenant to be trained in the G.R.E.A.T. Program, and started in the Philadelphia Schools in January 1994.

In January 1998, additional law enforcement agencies were invited to participate in the G.R.E.A.T. Program management by serving on the National Training Committee, and the National Policy Board. The Orange County Sheriff's Office, FL; the La Crosse Police Department, WI; the Portland Police Bureau, OR, and the Philadelphia Police Department, PA; joined the Phoenix Police Department, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), and the ATF, in managing the GREAT Program.

In 2004, Congress directed that overall G.R.E.A.T. Program administration be transferred to the Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

THE GREAT PROGRAM

The G.R.E.A.T. Program is a skills based curriculum designed to produce knowledge, attitudinal, and behavioral changes through the use of facilitative teaching, positive behavior rehearsal, cooperative and interactive learning techniques, and extended teacher activities. The curriculum has integrated National Learning Standards for English Language Arts, and National Health Standards, and is based on effective research practices.

G.R.E.A.T. is a 13 week curriculum, taught by specially trained uniformed Police Officers focusing on the 6th grade. The Program goal is to prevent youth crime, violence, and gang involvement, while developing a positive relationship among law enforcement, families, and our young people to create a safer community.

Middle School Lessons

1. Welcome to G.R.E.A.T. - Program Introduction, and deals with the relationship between gangs, drugs, violence, and crime

2. What's the Real Deal? - Message Analysis, and Facts and Fiction about gangs

3. It's About Us - Community, Roles and Responsibilities, What can you do about gangs

4. Where Do We Go From Here? - Setting realistic and Achievable Goals

5. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions - G.R.E.A.T. Decision-Making Model, Impact of decisions on goals, Decision-Making Practice

6. Do You Hear What I Am Saying? - Effective Communication, Verbal/Non- Verbal Communication

7. Walk In Someone Else's Shoes - Active Listening, Identification of Emotions, Empathy for Others

8. Say It Like You Mean It - Body language, Tone of Voice, Refusal skills practice

9. Getting Along Without Going Along - Influences and Peer Pressure, Refusal Skills Practice

10. Keeping Your Cool - G.R.E.A.T. Anger Management Tips, Practice Cooling Off

11. Keeping it Together - Recognizing Anger in Others, Tips for Calming Others

12. Working It Out - Consequences for Fighting, G.R.E.A.T. Conflict Resolution, Conflict Resolution Practice, Where To Go for Help

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM

The Elementary School Curriculum is a life-skills based curriculum designed to produce knowledge, attitudinal, and behavioral changes through the use of facilitative teaching, positive behavior rehearsal, cooperative and interactive learning techniques, and extended teacher activities. The curriculum has integrated National Learning Standards for English Language Arts, and National Health Standards, and is based on effective research practices.

The Elementary Curriculum consists of six Lessons and designed for 4th or 5th grade students. By providing prevention programs to students in elementary and middle schools, it is believed that such programs have a better chance of affecting the developmental course of problem behavior.

Elementary School Lessons

1. G.R.E.A.T. Beginnings - Program Introduction, Ground Rules, Bullying, Victims, Bystanders

2. To Do Or Not To Do - Decisions and Outcomes, identifying Adults When We Need Help

3. Loud and Clear - Clear Messages, Practicing Communication

4. Staying Cool When the Heat Is On - Identifying When We Feel Anger, Practicing Anger Control

5. We're All In This Together - Similarities and Differences, Respecting Others, the Golden Rule

SUMMER COMPONENT

The G.R.E.A.T. Summer Program builds on the school-based curriculum by offering students and opportunity to enhance their social skills, giving them alternatives to gang involvement, and adding structure to the summer months.

The Philadelphia Police Department operates a Summer Program for approximately 200 City youths for several weeks each Summer. We utilize Department of Recreation Sites for our main Program and then move into other sites throughout the City for additional Programs.

The G.R.E.A.T. Family Component is a research based family strengthening program consisting of six lessons. The curriculum uses group interaction, activities, and skills practice to engage parents and children to foster positive family functioning. Families are encouraged to attend all six lessons, and the recommended class size is about ten families.

The G.R.E.A.T. Family Component consists of the following lessons:

1. Introduction to G.R.E.A.T. Families - Overview of G.R.E.A.T., Family Needs Assessment, Truth and Myths About Gangs, The Role of Families in Healthy Communities

2. G.R.E.A.T. Communication - Communications Assessment, Overcoming Communication Barriers, Practice Listening Skills

3. G.R.E.A.T. Family Skills - Benefits of Having Clear, Constant Rules and Limits, Benefits of Parental Monitoring, Effective Discipline

4. G.R.E.A.T. Role Models - Applying Personal Values, Common Personal Dilemmas, Consistent expectations and Actions

5. G.R.E.A.T. Family Relationships - Family Time Assessment, Family Priorities, Family Action Plan

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