The Stop Now And Plan (SNAP®) Program serves as a “front-end” resource to the Department of Juvenile Justice Office of Prevention, for at-risk youth ages 6-11 and their families.
Each SNAP® program provides high-risk youth and their families strategies to increase pro-social skills that will help the youth stay in school and out of trouble by making better choices throughout the 13-week program. Youth and their families participate in engaging activities such as group discussions, role-playing, interactive games and self-reflection to address topics including dealing with anger, learning how to cope and practice self-control, engaging in problem solving and learning not to bully and how to prevent bullying.
Who Is SNAP For?
SNAP is for any child who is having a hard time coping with their emotions and controlling their actions. Small behavioral problems can grow into major issues as your child ages, and SNAP works to reverse the trend by teaching healthy emotional responses.
While every parent hopes that their child will grow out of negative behaviors, that isn’t always the case. If you feel overwhelmed by your child’s behavior, you’re not alone. Don’t wait for your child to have serious problems at school – or with the law – to address their behavior.
What is the SNAP Program?
Youthful behavioral problems can lead to dangerous decisions that follow your child through the rest of their life. Through SNAP, you and your child can learn healthy decision-making skills and emotion management to reduce the risk of problems in the future.
SNAP uses a gender-specific, evidence-based cognitive behavioral model to connect with kids with behavioral issues. It was developed in 1985 by the Child Development Institute, an accredited children’s mental health organization based in Toronto. What started as an intervention program to help boys under 12 prevent conflict from the law has developed into an international program for kids of both genders and their families.
SNAP teaches kids to follow a three-step process to address problems. They learn to STOP when they face a problem by taking a step back, using breathing techniques or counting to ten. NOW AND they identify their negative thoughts and replace them with rational understanding. Lastly, they PLAN, or develop a strategy to keep their problems smaller instead of growing their problems. Together, this reduces negative reactions and promotes smart decision-making.
Contact SNAP at 352-622-6135 ext 243 or sgordon@arnettehouse.org or nikkimagnotta@arnettehouse.org
