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Yaphank Today
By the People, for the People
Suffolk Sheriff Launches New In-House Youth Program
The SKILLS program replaces the 20-year-old GREAT program to strengthen connections between law enforcement and students.
Published on Mar. 10, 2026
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The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office has replaced the long-running Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) program with a new in-house initiative called the Sheriff's Kids Improving Leadership and Life Skills (SKILLS) program. The 10-week SKILLS curriculum is designed for 6th-grade students and aims to empower youth, build connections with law enforcement, and address evolving challenges facing today's youth.
Why it matters
The GREAT program had become outdated, with its last curriculum update in 2018. By creating its own SKILLS program, the Sheriff's Office can continuously update the curriculum to stay relevant and inclusive of new trends. The new program also allows the office to train instructors internally, reducing costs compared to the GREAT program which required sending officers away for certification.
The details
The SKILLS program was launched this week in the William Floyd and Brentwood school districts. The curriculum includes developing communication skills, learning self-respect and respect for others, practicing positive behaviors, understanding healthy vs. unhealthy social media use, internet safety, identifying trusted adults, recognizing signs of cyberbullying, decision-making, goal setting, understanding peer pressure, discussing vaping and emerging trends, building active listening and empathy, identifying anger triggers, and learning conflict resolution techniques.
- The GREAT program had been taught in Suffolk County schools for nearly 20 years.
- The SKILLS program launched this week in the William Floyd and Brentwood school districts.
The players
Errol Toulon
The Suffolk County Sheriff who oversaw the replacement of the GREAT program with the new SKILLS program.
What they’re saying
“The Sheriff's Office has a robust presence in our school districts, and this initiative will further strengthen our relationship with the young men and women of our county. By developing this program in-house, we can keep the curriculum fresh, relevant, and inclusive of new trends.”
— Errol Toulon, Suffolk County Sheriff (Patch.com)
What’s next
The SKILLS program will continue to be rolled out in additional school districts across Suffolk County in the coming months.
The takeaway
The Suffolk County Sheriff's Office is taking a proactive approach to youth engagement by replacing an outdated national program with a new in-house initiative that can be continuously updated to address the evolving needs and challenges facing today's students.
