Click here to see a video of our ADVANCE program.  For more information about the ADVANCE program, contact Lieutenant Gene Joy at (770) 533-7806, or Senior Sergeant Kenny Lane at (678) 776-3942.

The Hall County Sheriff's Office School-Based Programs Unit offers proactive strategies to enhance protective factors for young people. Strategies include emphasis on development of social competence, conflict resolution, and positive alternatives to drugs, violence, and gangs.

In addition, information of personal safety, stranger-danger, Internet safety, and water safety is provided. The School Resource Program facilitates the G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) Program in all middle schools in Hall County. The curriculum provides emphasis on gang awareness and alternatives to gangs which affords children additional information to make positive decisions and to keep them safe.

The Hall County Sheriff's Office ADVANCE and G.R.E.A.T. program complies with the Georgia Quality Core Curriculum Standards. The ADVANCE program complies with the National Health Standards for drug education and has been used as a template for the Georgia Sheriff's Association CHAMPS education model.  Our staff is required to complete eight hours of Georgia Department of Education approved effective teacher training annually. In addition, our staff must attend seventeen hours of drug, gang, and Internet safety updates annually to maintain teaching certificates to effectively serve our students.