Stop Now and Plan (SNAP)

Children and Youth
Written By Guest User

IMPACT AREA: Children and Youth

With over 35 years of research and experience, Stop Now And Plan (SNAP) is a Canadian, award-winning, evidence-based, cost-effective, children’s mental health early intervention and crime prevention model. SNAP teaches children how to stop and think before they act and make better choices ‘in the moment’ and throughout their lives. Developed by Child Development Institute (CDI) in 1985, today SNAP HQ provides community organizations with the SNAP models and has supported over 25,000 children and families worldwide.

CHALLENGE

Disruptive and antisocial behaviour usually begins in childhood. 1 in 5 children in Canada have a mental health disorder (Children’s Mental Health Ontario) and conduct problems are the most referred mental health issue for children under 12. Left untreated, 75% of these children are at-risk of engaging in anti-social and violent behaviour and research shows that there are 7 years of warning before a juvenile becomes a serious, violent offender (Loeber, Farrington, & Petechuk, 2003). Identifying and intervening early is critical as children with conduct problems consume the most resources and are the most expensive clients to serve. Through early intervention, we can provide the support they need before they fall through the cracks.

INNOVATION

SNAP keeps children in school and out of trouble. By intervening during the middle years (aged 6-11), SNAP teaches lifelong skills of emotion regulation, self-control, and problem-solving skills while reducing aggression, rule-breaking, conduct problems, depression, irritability and anxiety. SNAP strengthens pro-social communication, family relationships and teaches individuals to make positive decisions in their everyday lives.

Based in Toronto, Ontario, SNAP HQ is the central hub for implementation, research, development, and training activities for SNAP. SNAP HQ identifies, connects, and builds relationships with local organizations in regions worldwide needing services for high-risk children and families. SNAP Affiliates are trained and licensed by CDI’s SNAP HQ to provide essential SNAP service delivery for families within their own community. SNAP HQ works closely with SNAP Affiliates to ensure high fidelity and integrity by providing ongoing consultations, training and implementation support. In addition, SNAP HQ and SNAP Affiliates have access to the state-of-the-art SNAP Implementation tool, SNAPiT, a cloud-based, fidelity monitoring tool designed to coordinate, support and measure implementation and service delivery activities to enhance capacity to evaluate overall commitment and integration of the SNAP model within communities to promote sustainability. 

By bringing the SNAP program to local organizations across the world, SNAP HQ fills a vital gap in children’s mental health services and supports to their families.

 
“The Sonor Foundation understands the unique needs of not-for-profits and that scaling innovations, research and development require human resources. Child Development Institute’s SNAP International Headquarters is honoured to be partnering with this outstanding Foundation to help create massive social change and improve the landscape of children’s mental health and crime prevention. ””
— Dr. Leena K. Augimeri | Director, SNAP International Headquarters, Child Development Institute | Adjunct Professor, University of Toronto
 
 

Connect

Website: stopnowandplan.com
Email: snap@childdevelop.ca

Guest User
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Stepstones for Youth | Safe at Home Project