What is SNAP®?

The SNAP® strategy was developed in the late 1970's for use in a classroom by the former Earlscourt Child and Family Centre, Toronto, Canada (now called the Child Development Institute) for behaviourally disordered children in a day treatment program by one of its staff. The strategy was then further enhanced and developed into a manualized and multifaceted model (SNAP® Under 12 Outreach Project) in 1985 for young children in conflict with the law by a team of scientists and practitioners (Kenneth Goldberg, Kathryn Levene, Leena Augimeri, Elizabeth Leggett, Camille Hannays and Dr. Debra Pepler).

With 9 program components for success, the SNAP® Under 12 Outreach Project (SNAP® ORP) and the SNAP® Girls Connection (SNAP® GC) are designed for children aged 6-11 who are engaging in antisocial behaviour and/or have come into contact with the police as a result of their own behaviour. Stop Now and Plan (SNAP®) is an award winning evidence-based, multi-faceted manualized cognitive-behavioural program.

SNAP® helps children and parents deal effectively with anger by teaching them how to respond in a way that makes their problems smaller, not bigger. With help and practice, children and parents are able to stop, calm down, and generate positive solutions at the "snap of their fingers."

A child and their family may participate in some or all of the program components (based on risk and need) with the goal of preventing future antisocial behaviour and reducing the chances of becoming in conflict with the law. The additional components are available for as long as there is an identified need and/or interest from the child and family.