U.S. Marshals Service

                    Gang Resistance Education and Training

                                     (G.R.E.A.T.) Program

http://www.great-online.org

What is G.R.E.A.T.?

The Gang Resistance Education and Training Program (G.R.E.A.T.) is a school based, law enforcement officer-instructed classroom curriculum.  The G.R.E.A.T. lessons focus on providing life skills to students to help them avoid delinquent behavior, youth violence, and gang membership.  The Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), administers the G.R.E.A.T. program.  The U.S. Marshals, in collaboration with local law enforcement and community partners, began a nationwide initiative in 2007 to teach the G.R.E.A.T. program.

G.R.E.A.T. Components

The G.R.E.A.T. Program consists of four components: an elementary school curriculum, a middle school curriculum, a summer program, and families training.  These components are designed to help students avoid destructive behaviors and prevent violence while developing a positive bond between law enforcement and youth.  The instruction also reinforces cognitive, social, and self-esteem building lessons, promotes social bonding, and strengthens communities by strengthening individual families.

Objectives for the U.S. Marshals’ G.R.E.A.T. Program

Implementation of the G.R.E.A.T. program nationwide affords the U.S. Marshals the opportunity to reach America’s youth in an unprecedented effort within federal law enforcement.

We are determined to challenge ourselves to serve our communities by providing an additional service —a prevention program targeted to enhance community relationships and decrease youth violence and gang membership. 

The U.S. Marshals aim to reduce the precursor attitudes and behaviors associated with violence, as well as build positive relationships between law enforcement and the communities we serve.

G.R.E.A.T. History and the U.S. Marshals Service

In 1991, G.R.E.A.T. was developed through a combined effort of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Phoenix Police Department.

In 2004, Congress directed that overall program administration be transferred to the Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

The U.S. Marshals Service implemented the first G.R.E.A.T. pilot project in the Northern District of Ohio in 2004. Based on the demonstrated benefits and positive results of the pilot project, the U.S. Marshals Service received funding from BJA to implement the G.R.E.A.T. Program on a national level. As of July 2008, seven USMS districts are participating in the G.R.E.A.T. Program: Eastern District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Western District of Missouri, District of New Jersey, Western District of New York, Northern District of Ohio, and Eastern District of Wisconsin. The U.S. Marshals are committed to the community and to the children of our nation.

Accomplishments

• Across the nation, a select group of Deputy U.S. Marshals has completed in-depth training to become G.R.E.A.T.-certified instructors.  In 2008, the U.S. Marshals instructed and graduated more than 4,000 G.R.E.A.T. students through this program.

• In 2008, the U.S. Marshals partnered with Major League Baseball to provide summer activities and camps for our G.R.E.A.T. students.

• The New Orleans G.R.E.A.T. students and U.S. Marshals met with President George W. Bush in April 2008 at the North American Leaders Summit as part of a G.R.E.A.T. school project.  

• In 2008, a task force was established in New Jersey to help expand G.R.E.A.T. and to serve the needs of the community’s youth.  The task force is comprised of law enforcement officers from the U.S. Marshals, the Jersey City Police Department, the Hudson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hudson County Department of Corrections.  This illustrates the benefit of law enforcement working together to help children succeed.   

• G.R.E.A.T.-certified Deputy U.S. Marshals have established numerous partnerships nationwide with local, state and other federal law enforcement agencies.  In addition, these Deputy U.S. Marshals have forged partnerships with school officials, professional athletic organizations, non-profit organizations, and faith-based organizations.