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Volume 3 • Issue 1 • January 2008
Bureau of Justice Assistance
G.r.e.a.T. news
© 2008 by the Institute for Intergovernmental Research® (IIR) on behalf of the Gang Resistance Education And Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program. All rights reserved. For permission to make copies or otherwise use the content herein, contact IIR at (800) 726-7070.
G.r.e.a.T. naTIonal ProGram offIce
Post Office Box 12729Tallahassee, FL 32317-2729
Phone: (800) 726-7070Fax: (850) 386-5356
This project was supported by Grant No. 2007-JV-FX-K074 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Office for Victims of Crime. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
www.great-online.orgWestern Region
Midwest Region
Southeast Region
Northeast Region
Southwest RegionG.R.E.A.T. National Training Conference—2008Mark your calendar to attend the 2008 G.R.E.A.T. National Training Conference—Building Bridges to a G.R.E.A.T. Future. More information about the conference can be found on the G.R.E.A.T. Web site at www.great-online.org. We look forward to seeing all of you there!
— Dates and Location —July 16–18, 2008
St. Louis, Missouri
Costs ––––––––––––––––––––––––––Through funding provided by the Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance, the conference registration fee is waived. Attendees will be responsible only for expenses such as travel, lodging, and meals/incidentals. G.R.E.A.T. grant funds may be used for these other expenses.
Attendees –––––––––––––––––––––– The training conference will address the needs of individuals currently implementing the G.R.E.A.T. Program, as well as those who want to bring G.R.E.A.T. to their communities. In addition to G.R.E.A.T. officers, conference attendance is recommended for: • G.R.E.A.T. supervisors. • School resource officers. • Crime prevention officers. • Individuals representing youth-oriented programs. • Legal and criminal/juvenile justice professionals. • Community leaders. • School district personnel. • Law enforcement administrators and practitioners.
Southwest Regional Training Center
POLICE DEPARTMENTRegional G.R.E.A.T. Unit
620 W. Washington St., CRBPhoenix, AZ 85003
Phoenix Police Department • Regional G.R.E.A.T. Unit620 W. Washington St., CRB • Phoenix, AZ 85003
Main - 602-495-0431 • Toll Free - 800-24-GREAT • Fax - 602-495-0438 • E-mail: [email protected]
Workshops ––––––––––––––––––––This year’s conference will be an opportunity to network with others across the nation and attend intensive training on topics such as: • Interacting with the media. • Establishing and managing the G.R.E.A.T. Program. • Community outreach and partnering. • Effectively implementing the middle school and
elementary school curricula. • How to effectively utilize the summer program. • Recognizing victims of abuse or child exploitation and
how to respond. • Bullying behaviors. • Leadership and character development. • Understanding how youth use the Internet and other media. • Current youth gang research. • Understanding and managing youth with special needs. • G.R.E.A.T. best practices. • Coping with officer burnout. • How schools can help G.R.E.A.T. • Multi strategy models to address gangs.
Other Training Opportunities ––––G.R.E.A.T. Families Training (GFT) classes will be available July 14–15, 2008, for those whose GFT applications are approved prior to the conference. Registering for the conference does NOT approve or confirm officers for attendance at the GFT.
Please visit the G.R.E.A.T. Web site at www.great-online.org for an application and more information. These classes are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
No VioleNce is G.R.e.A.T.
No VioleNce is G.R.e.A.T.
G.R.E.A.T. Curriculum in SpanishThe G.R.E.A.T. Program is in the process of finalizing edits to the Spanish version of the G.R.E.A.T. instructor’s curricula. To have your name added to the list to receive a Spanish-language version of the manual, please e-mail [email protected]. Please be sure to include your name, agency, mailing address, and telephone number.
“My G.R.E.A.T. Experience” Video ContestG.R.E.A.T. officers work with students from a variety of backgrounds who have different stories, experiences, and skills. Many officers could give examples of the technologically and artistically talented students at his or her school(s). Most likely, these students are the same ones who enjoy posting things on Web sites such as YouTube or Google Video.
To encourage this talent, G.R.E.A.T. is sponsoring a video contest. The contest is titled “My G.R.E.A.T. Experience.” It is geared toward G.R.E.A.T. elementary and middle school students with a special or creative story to demonstrate how the G.R.E.A.T. Program has impacted the student’s life.
The national winner and up to three (3) guests will be flown to the 2008 G.R.E.A.T. National Training Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. The student will be given the opportunity to speak and present the video to approximately 600 G.R.E.A.T. officers, school personnel, and other attendees.
G.R.E.A.T. officers are urged to encourage their students to submit their creative short videos no later than May 15, 2008. Complete rules, instructions, and entry forms will be available on the G.R.E.A.T. Web site at www.great-online.org.
page 2 page 7
G.R.E.A.T. Longitudinal EvaluationIs the G.R.E.A.T. curriculum being delivered as it was intended? Is G.R.E.A.T. producing its intended results?
These and other questions are the focus of a longitudinal evaluation currently being conducted under the direction of the National Institute of Justice. Between July 2006 and December 2011, various components of G.R.E.A.T. are being studied to determine whether its instructors are (a) adhering to the suggested time frames, (b) covering the topical areas specified in the curriculum, (c) adhering to the overall lessons, and (d) maintaining the quality of the lessons. In addition, the study will determine whether G.R.E.A.T. is achieving its stated goals with regard to the students being taught.
The researchers are conducting their analysis in seven cities: Albuquerque, New Mexico; Chicago, Illinois; Garland, Texas; Greeley, Colorado; Nashville, Tennessee; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Portland, Oregon. A total of 29 schools and 3,761 students are involved. A large portion of this analysis includes administering surveys to G.R.E.A.T. officers, G.R.E.A.T. supervisors, school personnel, and students. The results of these surveys will be used to (a) capture a more complete picture of the current situation, (b) identify perceptions of the program, (c) identify areas of improvement for G.R.E.A.T., and (d) identify strategies that are currently performing well.
The preliminary findings have identified several situations where officers are failing to deliver G.R.E.A.T. with sufficient fidelity and quality. However, the study does indicate that we should feel generally positive about the program in terms of its current level of implementation, officer commitment, and support of school personnel.
more G.r.e.a.T. famIlIesThe good folks in San Antonio, Texas know that strong families are the foundation of their community. On December 10-11, 2007, the San Antonio Police Department hosted a 16-hour G.R.E.A.T. Families Training (GFT). Congratulations to these G.R.E.A.T. Officers from the Southwest Region who are now certified to facilitate the Families component:Daniel Alvarado, Northside I.S.D. Police Department, San Antonio, TXMary Beth Bice, Conroe I.S.D. Police Department, Conroe, TXMonica Casaus, Rio Rancho Department of Public Safety, Rio Rancho, NMDonna Chavez, Rio Rancho Department of Public Safety, Rio Rancho, NMTheresa Garcia, Harris County Constable’s Office, Precinct No. 6, Houston, TXGary Hudson, Harris County Constable’s Office, Precinct No. 6, Houston, TXDonovan Mascarenas, Rio Rancho Department of Public Safety, Rio Rancho, NMJohanna Milam, Harris County Constable’s Office, Precinct No. 7, Houston, TXMario Saldivar, Sr., Humble I.S.D. Police Department, Humble, TXTammy Trott, Conroe I.S.D. Police Department, Conroe, TXMichelle Ugalde, Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office, Las Cruces, NMRobert Young, Sr., Harris County Constable’s Office, Precinct No. 7, Houston, TXChristian Zapata, Northside I.S.D. Police Department, San Antonio, TX
G.R.E.A.T. Families is a research-based family-strengthening program consisting of two components: a six-session family curriculum and a family/community
resource guide for G.R.E.A.T. facilitators. By linking a universal family curriculum to specialized family assistance resources, G.R.E.A.T. Families provide G.R.E.A.T. officers with the basic tools needed to work effectively with families and family service agencies.
While the G.R.E.A.T. Families component is designed to provide families with the skills needed to become a healthy family, only certified G.R.E.A.T. instructors who have successfully completed a 16-hour G.R.E.A.T. Families Training (GFT) are authorized to conduct the six-session Families component in their communities. These trainings are available through the Southwest Regional Training Center (SWRTC). If your agency is interested in sponsoring a GFT in your area, please contact the SWRTC at (602) 495-0432 or e-mail us at [email protected] .
Honoring G.R.E.A.T. Instructors Serving Our CountryWe honor G.R.E.A.T. Officer Clint Daly of the Glendale Police Department (AZ). Clint has been involved with G.R.E.A.T. since the early 90s and is a member of the National Training Team. Clint was re-activated (his second tour) in early July and can be contacted by e-mail at [email protected] or by regular mail at:
COMNAVELSGAttn: MA1 Clint Daly - Armory
593 Mayfield St.Cheatam Annex
Williamsburg, VA 23185-5813
If you know of any G.R.E.A.T. instructor serving in our Nation’s military, please e-mail us at [email protected] so we can give them the recognition and support they so G.R.E.A.T.–ly deserve. We encourage everyone to send letters, cards or e-mails letting them know how much we appreciate them.
No VioleNce is G.R.e.A.T.
No VioleNce is G.R.e.A.T.page 3page 6
are PreVenTIon ProGrams cosT-effecTIVe? anoTher G.r.e.a.T. offIcer TraInInG By Lieutenant Raj Ramnarace, M.Ed., C.P.M.
Whenever I speak with a chief, sheriff, or other criminal justice agency executives about the G.R.E.A.T. Program, they typically ask two questions:
1) Does G.R.E.A.T. work? 2) What does it cost?These are important questions not only for anyone who is considering implementing G.R.E.A.T. in his or her community but also for those of us dedicated to the continued delivery of the G.R.E.A.T. curricula in our own communities. Even those of you with long-established programs are likely to be asked these two questions. A “wrong” response could have a negative impact on your program. This article will provide information that can be used to effectively respond to questions such as these.
First, documented evidence indicates that G.R.E.A.T. does work. Currently, G.R.E.A.T. is undergoing its second five-year, longitudinal national evaluation. The results of this current evaluation will not be available for several years. But what did the results of the previous evaluation indicate?
The first evaluation of G.R.E.A.T. noted positive effects on youth in the areas of peer group associations and attitudes toward gangs, law enforcement, and risk-seeking behaviors.1 Based on the recommendations made by the evaluator, G.R.E.A.T. Program leaders directed a number of changes to the original middle school curriculum. Accordingly, researchers and practitioners devoted years to making a good program even better. The desire to maintain and improve the effectiveness of the program has been reinforced by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. G.R.E.A.T. now features elementary, middle school, summer, and families components. Each of
these program components was developed using current best practices and feedback from local G.R.E.A.T. officers.
Second, are the staff and financial resources necessary to effectively deliver the G.R.E.A.T. Program cost-
effective and providing a positive return? Economists use the term “opportunity cost” to describe the things one gives up in order to pursue any particular goal or strategy. A major concern for law enforcement agencies arises whenever a conscious decision is made to move people and funds from enforcement operations to prevention programs. No chief, sheriff, or public official would even consider supporting prevention programming without some reasonable belief that the resources allocated to prevention will provide a benefit to the community—a net gain in safety, improved community life, and meeting the objectives of the organizational mission. So, is there enough evidence that prevention not only works, but works efficiently enough to justify an investment of money and staff?
One intriguing study conducted by the RAND Corporation and the International Centre for the Prevention of Crime (ICPC) concluded that the benefits of engaging in well-designed prevention programs far outweigh the costs. In fact, prevention, when done right, is the least expensive way to reduce crime.
In the ICPC study, costs associated with crime reduction were expressed as “Extra Taxes Needed for a 10 Percent Reduction in Crime.” A comparison of costs (tax increases per person) to achieve a 10 percent decrease
Cost-Effective? – continued on page 5GOT1-728 Class Photo
GOT 1-728 was held in Mesa, Arizona from December 3-7, 2007, and included a blend of 27 experienced officers from around the country who successfully completed the training and are now G.R.E.A.T. instructors.
We congratulate the class of GOT 1-728 and welcome you into our G.R.E.A.T. family. We also give a special welcome to those from the Southwest Region:
Officer Mark Davis, Coldspring/Oakhurst I.S.D. Police, Coldspring , TX
Officer Scott Duncan, Phoenix Police Department, AZ
Officer Ronnie Granados, Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Department, NM
Officer Jennifer Smartt, South Salt Lake City Police Department, UT
Officer Kenneth Wells, Victoria County Sheriff’s Office, TX
BudGeT modIfIcaTIons/sTaTe adVIsorsFor those agencies that are receiving grant money from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, you are well into the 07-08 grant cycle. Even with a carefully planned budget, programmatic needs often change and may require changes to realize proposed goals. It is possible, with permission from your State Policy Advisor, to move previously allocated money between categories; for example, from “supplies” to “travel.”
If you have any questions about your BJA grant, please contact your agency’s State Advisor listed below:
ARIZONA/ Kathryn Winton 202-353-2325 UTAH [email protected]
COLORADO/ Loretta Behm 202-616-5878NEW MEXICO [email protected]
NEVADA Kathy Mason 202-514-8692 [email protected]
OKLAHOMA Gerardo Velazquez 202-353-8645 [email protected]
TEXAS Esmeralda Womack 202-353-3450 [email protected]
EmploymEnt opportunityThe North Las Vegas Police Department has an immediate opening for a full-time, non-sworn G.R.E.A.T. instructor. This would be a perfect opportunity for a certified G.R.E.A.T. officer who has retired – or is about to – and would like to relocate to the Las Vegas area.
For details on this fantastic opportunity, contact NTT member and G.R.E.A.T. Officer Jennie Ives at [email protected] or at (702) 633-1817.
No VioleNce is G.R.e.A.T.
No VioleNce is G.R.e.A.T.page 4 page 5
housTon Pd hITs classrooms To fIGhT GanGs
G.R.E.A.T. student Jovanny Lopez and Officer Jason Goldwater, Houston Police Department
Cost-Effective? – continued from page 3
using four different strategies (extended incarceration, delinquent probation, parent training, and high school completion incentives) was examined. The results are shown in the chart below:
The most basic interpretation of this study indicates that relying solely on the “brick-and-mortar” approach to crime reduction is five to seven times more costly than other community-based interventions. Using the earlier G.R.E.A.T. evaluation and the ICPC study to respond to the question—“Can we afford this community-based crime prevention program known as G.R.E.A.T.?”—we can quickly counter with “Can you afford not to devote staff and funds to bring G.R.E.A.T. into your community?” In the words of the famous statesman Benjamin Franklin, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
G.R.E.A.T. can be an investment that offers more positive results for much less cost than an enforcement-only approach. As a consumer, would you rather pay $228 or $32 for the same results? Doesn’t the law enforcement community have an obligation to be fiscally responsible and make the best possible use of the tax dollars, while making every effort to take the steps necessary to prevent our youth from becoming involved in gang activities or make decisions that could have a negative impact on them for the rest of their lives?
G.R.E.A.T. provides a fiscally responsible solution to youth crime and gang violence. Effective and cost-efficient solutions to many problems are difficult to find. As a member of the G.R.E.A.T. “family,” you can be a part of that solution.
NOTES
1. Esbensen, Finn-Aage, 2004. Evaluating G.R.E.A.T.: A School-Based Gang Prevention Program. Summary. Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice Research for Policy. Web accessible at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/198604.pdf.
Strategy for 10 percent Cost percrime reduction taxpayerExtended incarceration $228Delinquent probation $118Parent training $48High school completion incentives $32
The following is an excerpt taken from the Houston Chronicle, written by Lindsay Wise.
HOUSTON, Texas — At 13 years old, Caleb Hunt has already felt pressure to join a gang.
“I’ve had to run from them before, and I’ve seen them beat people up,” said the seventh-grader at Sharpstown Middle School. One time, a group of older kids jumped on him when he refused to “claim” any gang affiliation, Caleb said. “They asked what did I claim and I said, ‘I don’t claim nothing,’ and they started hitting me.”
Last week, Houston police launched a classroom-based program designed to help students like Caleb stay away from gangs and out of trouble.
“This whole program’s not just about gangs,” said Officer Steven Dau, one of Caleb’s instructors. “It’s about making better choices in life, less violent choices, and on top of that, we’re trying to build a better relationship with law enforcement.”
Taught by specially trained officers, the 13-week Gang Resistance Education and Training course (G.R.E.A.T.) will begin as a pilot program for students enrolled at Sharpstown, Jane Long and Key middle schools, all of which are in neighborhoods identified as heavily affected by gang activity.
If the experiment is deemed a success, G.R.E.A.T. could expand into more city schools, said Sgt. Craig Fletcher, the program’s supervisor.
“This is something that is so needed in this city because the crime issues are so tied to the gang issues,” Fletcher said. “I mean, if we could do away with the gangs, we could probably do away with half the crime in Houston.”
According to HPD, gang-related violent crimes and other felonies are up 9 percent in Houston since this time last year. Police attribute the rise, in part, to more aggressive tracking of gang members.
Police Chief Harold Hurtt said general concerns about a citywide increase in gang activity prompted HPD to fund G.R.E.A.T. The department spent about $325,000 on salaries and training of a supervisor and six officers who will teach courses at the three schools, as well as three civilian counselors from the Mayor’s Anti-Gang Office.
Hurtt first became familiar with G.R.E.A.T. at the Phoenix Police Department, which created the program with the Federal Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in 1991.
“It was a different approach to dealing with the gang problem,” said Hurtt, who once served on the program’s national board. “A lot of the time we talk about enforcement, but we don’t deal with the root of the problems,” Hurtt said. “You can’t just keep chasing the bad guys and not doing something up front, and that’s why we’d like to focus on prevention.”
A five-year study funded by the National Institute of Justice and published in 2004 reported that G.R.E.A.T.
has demonstrated “modest positive effects” on improving students’ attitudes toward police and reducing high-risk factors associated with gang membership.
G.R.E.A.T. is not a “silver bullet” that can magically rid cities of gangs, cautioned Terrance J. Taylor, an associate professor and one of the researchers who worked on the study at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
“There’s no quick fix, but I do think there is reason to
believe that programs like G.R.E.A.T. can have an effect on attitudes and behavior, although those changes take time to actually develop,” Taylor said.
Sharpstown Middle School Principal Jeffrey Amerson said he’s eager to give the program a chance. “One of the reasons kids are enticed by a gang is that it’s friends, it’s family, a place to belong. And we want to show them there’s other alternatives to that,” Amerson said. “Because really the consequences for joining a gang are usually either jail or death.”
continued on next page
Continued from previous page
No VioleNce is G.R.e.A.T.
No VioleNce is G.R.e.A.T.page 4 page 5
housTon Pd hITs classrooms To fIGhT GanGs
G.R.E.A.T. student Jovanny Lopez and Officer Jason Goldwater, Houston Police Department
Cost-Effective? – continued from page 3
using four different strategies (extended incarceration, delinquent probation, parent training, and high school completion incentives) was examined. The results are shown in the chart below:
The most basic interpretation of this study indicates that relying solely on the “brick-and-mortar” approach to crime reduction is five to seven times more costly than other community-based interventions. Using the earlier G.R.E.A.T. evaluation and the ICPC study to respond to the question—“Can we afford this community-based crime prevention program known as G.R.E.A.T.?”—we can quickly counter with “Can you afford not to devote staff and funds to bring G.R.E.A.T. into your community?” In the words of the famous statesman Benjamin Franklin, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
G.R.E.A.T. can be an investment that offers more positive results for much less cost than an enforcement-only approach. As a consumer, would you rather pay $228 or $32 for the same results? Doesn’t the law enforcement community have an obligation to be fiscally responsible and make the best possible use of the tax dollars, while making every effort to take the steps necessary to prevent our youth from becoming involved in gang activities or make decisions that could have a negative impact on them for the rest of their lives?
G.R.E.A.T. provides a fiscally responsible solution to youth crime and gang violence. Effective and cost-efficient solutions to many problems are difficult to find. As a member of the G.R.E.A.T. “family,” you can be a part of that solution.
NOTES
1. Esbensen, Finn-Aage, 2004. Evaluating G.R.E.A.T.: A School-Based Gang Prevention Program. Summary. Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice Research for Policy. Web accessible at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/198604.pdf.
Strategy for 10 percent Cost percrime reduction taxpayerExtended incarceration $228Delinquent probation $118Parent training $48High school completion incentives $32
The following is an excerpt taken from the Houston Chronicle, written by Lindsay Wise.
HOUSTON, Texas — At 13 years old, Caleb Hunt has already felt pressure to join a gang.
“I’ve had to run from them before, and I’ve seen them beat people up,” said the seventh-grader at Sharpstown Middle School. One time, a group of older kids jumped on him when he refused to “claim” any gang affiliation, Caleb said. “They asked what did I claim and I said, ‘I don’t claim nothing,’ and they started hitting me.”
Last week, Houston police launched a classroom-based program designed to help students like Caleb stay away from gangs and out of trouble.
“This whole program’s not just about gangs,” said Officer Steven Dau, one of Caleb’s instructors. “It’s about making better choices in life, less violent choices, and on top of that, we’re trying to build a better relationship with law enforcement.”
Taught by specially trained officers, the 13-week Gang Resistance Education and Training course (G.R.E.A.T.) will begin as a pilot program for students enrolled at Sharpstown, Jane Long and Key middle schools, all of which are in neighborhoods identified as heavily affected by gang activity.
If the experiment is deemed a success, G.R.E.A.T. could expand into more city schools, said Sgt. Craig Fletcher, the program’s supervisor.
“This is something that is so needed in this city because the crime issues are so tied to the gang issues,” Fletcher said. “I mean, if we could do away with the gangs, we could probably do away with half the crime in Houston.”
According to HPD, gang-related violent crimes and other felonies are up 9 percent in Houston since this time last year. Police attribute the rise, in part, to more aggressive tracking of gang members.
Police Chief Harold Hurtt said general concerns about a citywide increase in gang activity prompted HPD to fund G.R.E.A.T. The department spent about $325,000 on salaries and training of a supervisor and six officers who will teach courses at the three schools, as well as three civilian counselors from the Mayor’s Anti-Gang Office.
Hurtt first became familiar with G.R.E.A.T. at the Phoenix Police Department, which created the program with the Federal Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in 1991.
“It was a different approach to dealing with the gang problem,” said Hurtt, who once served on the program’s national board. “A lot of the time we talk about enforcement, but we don’t deal with the root of the problems,” Hurtt said. “You can’t just keep chasing the bad guys and not doing something up front, and that’s why we’d like to focus on prevention.”
A five-year study funded by the National Institute of Justice and published in 2004 reported that G.R.E.A.T.
has demonstrated “modest positive effects” on improving students’ attitudes toward police and reducing high-risk factors associated with gang membership.
G.R.E.A.T. is not a “silver bullet” that can magically rid cities of gangs, cautioned Terrance J. Taylor, an associate professor and one of the researchers who worked on the study at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
“There’s no quick fix, but I do think there is reason to
believe that programs like G.R.E.A.T. can have an effect on attitudes and behavior, although those changes take time to actually develop,” Taylor said.
Sharpstown Middle School Principal Jeffrey Amerson said he’s eager to give the program a chance. “One of the reasons kids are enticed by a gang is that it’s friends, it’s family, a place to belong. And we want to show them there’s other alternatives to that,” Amerson said. “Because really the consequences for joining a gang are usually either jail or death.”
continued on next page
Continued from previous page
No VioleNce is G.R.e.A.T.
No VioleNce is G.R.e.A.T.page 3page 6
are PreVenTIon ProGrams cosT-effecTIVe? anoTher G.r.e.a.T. offIcer TraInInG By Lieutenant Raj Ramnarace, M.Ed., C.P.M.
Whenever I speak with a chief, sheriff, or other criminal justice agency executives about the G.R.E.A.T. Program, they typically ask two questions:
1) Does G.R.E.A.T. work? 2) What does it cost?These are important questions not only for anyone who is considering implementing G.R.E.A.T. in his or her community but also for those of us dedicated to the continued delivery of the G.R.E.A.T. curricula in our own communities. Even those of you with long-established programs are likely to be asked these two questions. A “wrong” response could have a negative impact on your program. This article will provide information that can be used to effectively respond to questions such as these.
First, documented evidence indicates that G.R.E.A.T. does work. Currently, G.R.E.A.T. is undergoing its second five-year, longitudinal national evaluation. The results of this current evaluation will not be available for several years. But what did the results of the previous evaluation indicate?
The first evaluation of G.R.E.A.T. noted positive effects on youth in the areas of peer group associations and attitudes toward gangs, law enforcement, and risk-seeking behaviors.1 Based on the recommendations made by the evaluator, G.R.E.A.T. Program leaders directed a number of changes to the original middle school curriculum. Accordingly, researchers and practitioners devoted years to making a good program even better. The desire to maintain and improve the effectiveness of the program has been reinforced by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. G.R.E.A.T. now features elementary, middle school, summer, and families components. Each of
these program components was developed using current best practices and feedback from local G.R.E.A.T. officers.
Second, are the staff and financial resources necessary to effectively deliver the G.R.E.A.T. Program cost-
effective and providing a positive return? Economists use the term “opportunity cost” to describe the things one gives up in order to pursue any particular goal or strategy. A major concern for law enforcement agencies arises whenever a conscious decision is made to move people and funds from enforcement operations to prevention programs. No chief, sheriff, or public official would even consider supporting prevention programming without some reasonable belief that the resources allocated to prevention will provide a benefit to the community—a net gain in safety, improved community life, and meeting the objectives of the organizational mission. So, is there enough evidence that prevention not only works, but works efficiently enough to justify an investment of money and staff?
One intriguing study conducted by the RAND Corporation and the International Centre for the Prevention of Crime (ICPC) concluded that the benefits of engaging in well-designed prevention programs far outweigh the costs. In fact, prevention, when done right, is the least expensive way to reduce crime.
In the ICPC study, costs associated with crime reduction were expressed as “Extra Taxes Needed for a 10 Percent Reduction in Crime.” A comparison of costs (tax increases per person) to achieve a 10 percent decrease
Cost-Effective? – continued on page 5GOT1-728 Class Photo
GOT 1-728 was held in Mesa, Arizona from December 3-7, 2007, and included a blend of 27 experienced officers from around the country who successfully completed the training and are now G.R.E.A.T. instructors.
We congratulate the class of GOT 1-728 and welcome you into our G.R.E.A.T. family. We also give a special welcome to those from the Southwest Region:
Officer Mark Davis, Coldspring/Oakhurst I.S.D. Police, Coldspring , TX
Officer Scott Duncan, Phoenix Police Department, AZ
Officer Ronnie Granados, Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Department, NM
Officer Jennifer Smartt, South Salt Lake City Police Department, UT
Officer Kenneth Wells, Victoria County Sheriff’s Office, TX
BudGeT modIfIcaTIons/sTaTe adVIsorsFor those agencies that are receiving grant money from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, you are well into the 07-08 grant cycle. Even with a carefully planned budget, programmatic needs often change and may require changes to realize proposed goals. It is possible, with permission from your State Policy Advisor, to move previously allocated money between categories; for example, from “supplies” to “travel.”
If you have any questions about your BJA grant, please contact your agency’s State Advisor listed below:
ARIZONA/ Kathryn Winton 202-353-2325 UTAH [email protected]
COLORADO/ Loretta Behm 202-616-5878NEW MEXICO [email protected]
NEVADA Kathy Mason 202-514-8692 [email protected]
OKLAHOMA Gerardo Velazquez 202-353-8645 [email protected]
TEXAS Esmeralda Womack 202-353-3450 [email protected]
EmploymEnt opportunityThe North Las Vegas Police Department has an immediate opening for a full-time, non-sworn G.R.E.A.T. instructor. This would be a perfect opportunity for a certified G.R.E.A.T. officer who has retired – or is about to – and would like to relocate to the Las Vegas area.
For details on this fantastic opportunity, contact NTT member and G.R.E.A.T. Officer Jennie Ives at [email protected] or at (702) 633-1817.
No VioleNce is G.R.e.A.T.
No VioleNce is G.R.e.A.T.
G.R.E.A.T. Curriculum in SpanishThe G.R.E.A.T. Program is in the process of finalizing edits to the Spanish version of the G.R.E.A.T. instructor’s curricula. To have your name added to the list to receive a Spanish-language version of the manual, please e-mail [email protected]. Please be sure to include your name, agency, mailing address, and telephone number.
“My G.R.E.A.T. Experience” Video ContestG.R.E.A.T. officers work with students from a variety of backgrounds who have different stories, experiences, and skills. Many officers could give examples of the technologically and artistically talented students at his or her school(s). Most likely, these students are the same ones who enjoy posting things on Web sites such as YouTube or Google Video.
To encourage this talent, G.R.E.A.T. is sponsoring a video contest. The contest is titled “My G.R.E.A.T. Experience.” It is geared toward G.R.E.A.T. elementary and middle school students with a special or creative story to demonstrate how the G.R.E.A.T. Program has impacted the student’s life.
The national winner and up to three (3) guests will be flown to the 2008 G.R.E.A.T. National Training Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. The student will be given the opportunity to speak and present the video to approximately 600 G.R.E.A.T. officers, school personnel, and other attendees.
G.R.E.A.T. officers are urged to encourage their students to submit their creative short videos no later than May 15, 2008. Complete rules, instructions, and entry forms will be available on the G.R.E.A.T. Web site at www.great-online.org.
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G.R.E.A.T. Longitudinal EvaluationIs the G.R.E.A.T. curriculum being delivered as it was intended? Is G.R.E.A.T. producing its intended results?
These and other questions are the focus of a longitudinal evaluation currently being conducted under the direction of the National Institute of Justice. Between July 2006 and December 2011, various components of G.R.E.A.T. are being studied to determine whether its instructors are (a) adhering to the suggested time frames, (b) covering the topical areas specified in the curriculum, (c) adhering to the overall lessons, and (d) maintaining the quality of the lessons. In addition, the study will determine whether G.R.E.A.T. is achieving its stated goals with regard to the students being taught.
The researchers are conducting their analysis in seven cities: Albuquerque, New Mexico; Chicago, Illinois; Garland, Texas; Greeley, Colorado; Nashville, Tennessee; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Portland, Oregon. A total of 29 schools and 3,761 students are involved. A large portion of this analysis includes administering surveys to G.R.E.A.T. officers, G.R.E.A.T. supervisors, school personnel, and students. The results of these surveys will be used to (a) capture a more complete picture of the current situation, (b) identify perceptions of the program, (c) identify areas of improvement for G.R.E.A.T., and (d) identify strategies that are currently performing well.
The preliminary findings have identified several situations where officers are failing to deliver G.R.E.A.T. with sufficient fidelity and quality. However, the study does indicate that we should feel generally positive about the program in terms of its current level of implementation, officer commitment, and support of school personnel.
more G.r.e.a.T. famIlIesThe good folks in San Antonio, Texas know that strong families are the foundation of their community. On December 10-11, 2007, the San Antonio Police Department hosted a 16-hour G.R.E.A.T. Families Training (GFT). Congratulations to these G.R.E.A.T. Officers from the Southwest Region who are now certified to facilitate the Families component:Daniel Alvarado, Northside I.S.D. Police Department, San Antonio, TXMary Beth Bice, Conroe I.S.D. Police Department, Conroe, TXMonica Casaus, Rio Rancho Department of Public Safety, Rio Rancho, NMDonna Chavez, Rio Rancho Department of Public Safety, Rio Rancho, NMTheresa Garcia, Harris County Constable’s Office, Precinct No. 6, Houston, TXGary Hudson, Harris County Constable’s Office, Precinct No. 6, Houston, TXDonovan Mascarenas, Rio Rancho Department of Public Safety, Rio Rancho, NMJohanna Milam, Harris County Constable’s Office, Precinct No. 7, Houston, TXMario Saldivar, Sr., Humble I.S.D. Police Department, Humble, TXTammy Trott, Conroe I.S.D. Police Department, Conroe, TXMichelle Ugalde, Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office, Las Cruces, NMRobert Young, Sr., Harris County Constable’s Office, Precinct No. 7, Houston, TXChristian Zapata, Northside I.S.D. Police Department, San Antonio, TX
G.R.E.A.T. Families is a research-based family-strengthening program consisting of two components: a six-session family curriculum and a family/community
resource guide for G.R.E.A.T. facilitators. By linking a universal family curriculum to specialized family assistance resources, G.R.E.A.T. Families provide G.R.E.A.T. officers with the basic tools needed to work effectively with families and family service agencies.
While the G.R.E.A.T. Families component is designed to provide families with the skills needed to become a healthy family, only certified G.R.E.A.T. instructors who have successfully completed a 16-hour G.R.E.A.T. Families Training (GFT) are authorized to conduct the six-session Families component in their communities. These trainings are available through the Southwest Regional Training Center (SWRTC). If your agency is interested in sponsoring a GFT in your area, please contact the SWRTC at (602) 495-0432 or e-mail us at [email protected] .
Honoring G.R.E.A.T. Instructors Serving Our CountryWe honor G.R.E.A.T. Officer Clint Daly of the Glendale Police Department (AZ). Clint has been involved with G.R.E.A.T. since the early 90s and is a member of the National Training Team. Clint was re-activated (his second tour) in early July and can be contacted by e-mail at [email protected] or by regular mail at:
COMNAVELSGAttn: MA1 Clint Daly - Armory
593 Mayfield St.Cheatam Annex
Williamsburg, VA 23185-5813
If you know of any G.R.E.A.T. instructor serving in our Nation’s military, please e-mail us at [email protected] so we can give them the recognition and support they so G.R.E.A.T.–ly deserve. We encourage everyone to send letters, cards or e-mails letting them know how much we appreciate them.
Volume 3 • Issue 1 • January 2008
Bureau of Justice Assistance
G.r.e.a.T. news
© 2008 by the Institute for Intergovernmental Research® (IIR) on behalf of the Gang Resistance Education And Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program. All rights reserved. For permission to make copies or otherwise use the content herein, contact IIR at (800) 726-7070.
G.r.e.a.T. naTIonal ProGram offIce
Post Office Box 12729Tallahassee, FL 32317-2729
Phone: (800) 726-7070Fax: (850) 386-5356
This project was supported by Grant No. 2007-JV-FX-K074 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Office for Victims of Crime. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the author and do not represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
www.great-online.orgWestern Region
Midwest Region
Southeast Region
Northeast Region
Southwest RegionG.R.E.A.T. National Training Conference—2008Mark your calendar to attend the 2008 G.R.E.A.T. National Training Conference—Building Bridges to a G.R.E.A.T. Future. More information about the conference can be found on the G.R.E.A.T. Web site at www.great-online.org. We look forward to seeing all of you there!
— Dates and Location —July 16–18, 2008
St. Louis, Missouri
Costs ––––––––––––––––––––––––––Through funding provided by the Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance, the conference registration fee is waived. Attendees will be responsible only for expenses such as travel, lodging, and meals/incidentals. G.R.E.A.T. grant funds may be used for these other expenses.
Attendees –––––––––––––––––––––– The training conference will address the needs of individuals currently implementing the G.R.E.A.T. Program, as well as those who want to bring G.R.E.A.T. to their communities. In addition to G.R.E.A.T. officers, conference attendance is recommended for: • G.R.E.A.T. supervisors. • School resource officers. • Crime prevention officers. • Individuals representing youth-oriented programs. • Legal and criminal/juvenile justice professionals. • Community leaders. • School district personnel. • Law enforcement administrators and practitioners.
Southwest Regional Training Center
POLICE DEPARTMENTRegional G.R.E.A.T. Unit
620 W. Washington St., CRBPhoenix, AZ 85003
Phoenix Police Department • Regional G.R.E.A.T. Unit620 W. Washington St., CRB • Phoenix, AZ 85003
Main - 602-495-0431 • Toll Free - 800-24-GREAT • Fax - 602-495-0438 • E-mail: [email protected]
Workshops ––––––––––––––––––––This year’s conference will be an opportunity to network with others across the nation and attend intensive training on topics such as: • Interacting with the media. • Establishing and managing the G.R.E.A.T. Program. • Community outreach and partnering. • Effectively implementing the middle school and
elementary school curricula. • How to effectively utilize the summer program. • Recognizing victims of abuse or child exploitation and
how to respond. • Bullying behaviors. • Leadership and character development. • Understanding how youth use the Internet and other media. • Current youth gang research. • Understanding and managing youth with special needs. • G.R.E.A.T. best practices. • Coping with officer burnout. • How schools can help G.R.E.A.T. • Multi strategy models to address gangs.
Other Training Opportunities ––––G.R.E.A.T. Families Training (GFT) classes will be available July 14–15, 2008, for those whose GFT applications are approved prior to the conference. Registering for the conference does NOT approve or confirm officers for attendance at the GFT.
Please visit the G.R.E.A.T. Web site at www.great-online.org for an application and more information. These classes are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
