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New SNAP sites
supported by the
Ontario Youth Action Plan
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The Government of Ontario recently announced a $55 million investment over three years for an Enhanced Youth Action Plan to support more high-risk youth and additional high-needs communities across the province.
As part of this announcement, the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services endorsed the SNAP program under the Middle Years Strategy. As a result, children’s mental health and community-based organizations from six Ontario communities – Brantford, Kingston, Peterborough, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Toronto – can now apply for funding to implement and deliver the SNAP program.
“We are honoured SNAP was highlighted as an early intervention program that helps children make successful transitions to their teen years,†says Dr. Leena Augimeri, Director of Scientific and Program Development at Child Development Institute. “As a result of the enhanced Youth Action Plan, more families will be able to access our award-winning children’s mental health program.â€
The new government-funded SNAP sites should be up and running in 2016. We will continue to update you on this initiative.
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SNAP team attends international convention
in Vienna
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From left to right/back to front: Donald Nicholls (Cree Nation), Lieke van Domburgh (Netherlands), Nicola Slater (Toronto), Xanthe Wylie (Scotland), Corine deRuiter (Netherlands), Leena Augimeri (Toronto), John Flanagan (Scotland), Richard Dembo (Florida) and Darla Poole (Pittsburgh)
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SNAP was the subject of a panel discussion at the International Academy of Law and Mental Health conference in Vienna, Austria earlier this summer. Representatives from SNAP implementation sites in Pittsburgh, The Netherlands, Scotland, the Cree Nation Government in Quebec and Toronto presented on the ways SNAP has effected change in their communities.The presentations sparked interest in the development of a European SNAP Working Group.
Thank you to all our partners for taking part in the presentations.
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SNAP partners with
Boys and Girls Clubs
to deliver new
community implementation
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At-risk children in two high-needs Toronto neighbourhoods will now have access to our award-winning children’s mental health program thanks to funding from the Canada Post Community Foundation.
Through a $15,000 grant from the Canada Post Community Foundation, Child Development Institute, in partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs, will deliver community-based SNAP programming at Boys and Girls Clubs locations in West and East Scarborough.
“We launched the SNAP pilot project at these two Boys and Girls Clubs in January 2015, and the initial results were very positive,†says Dr. Leena Augimeri, Director of Scientific and Program Development at Child Development Institute. “Children showed significant improvement in their behaviour and were less prone to aggression, conduct problems, anxiety, rule-breaking and bullying.â€
Through Child Development Institute’s continued partnership with the Boys and Girls Club, SNAP, which is usually a clinical program, will be expanded and offered as a community implementation in a non-clinical setting via the Boys and Girls Club. This unique project is creating more opportunities for at-risk children to access the program across the city of Toronto.
“SNAP has helped a lot. My kids are getting along much better—their behavior has improved so much,†says Nancy, a parent participating in the program. “I’m so thankful that we could take advantage of the program at the Boys and Girls Club because it was easy for me to be able to attend, and my kids were already comfortable with the staff.â€
“SNAP has been a fantastic addition to our programs. Providing children and parents with the tools needed to defuse difficult situations not only benefits the families we serve, but ensures we can continue to welcome participants we might otherwise have to turn away,†says Joshua Hood, Divisional Coordinator, Boys & Girls Club of West Scarborough. “The SNAP program at West Scarborough has had a very positive impact on the families we serve and has also benefited our organization by providing our staff with the confidence needed to deal with difficult situations.â€
“We are proud of our employees and retirees who have devoted many hours to raising awareness and funds,†says Deepak Chopra, President and CEO, Canada Post. “The Canada Post Community Foundation aims to help community groups deliver a difference in the lives of children in communities across Canada.
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Photo courtesy of The Alberta Teachers’ Association
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The Alberta Teacher's Association profiled The Society for Safe and Caring Schools & Communities, an agency that has been delivering SNAP in the northern Alberta community of Wabasca since 2009. Thank you to this incredible team for all that you do to help your students learn positive skills that can be used at home, in school and within the community. To read the full article, click here.
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- "SNAP gives kids with behaviour issues a chance at summer camp," The Toronto Star, June 21, 2015
- "Barrie to receive about $90,000 through proceeds of crime grant," The Barrie Examiner, August 6, 2015
- "Does your child have behaviour problems? Free workshops to help being offered in West Island," Montreal Gazette, August 25, 2015
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Children's mental health conference
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We are proud to co-present the Children's Mental Health Affects Everyone Summit in partnership with the Make Children Better Now Association and other sector partners. Bringing together service providers, policy makers, mental health professionals, educators, clinicians, youth and family caregivers, this event will be an opportunity for participants to share experiences and ideas on how to best shift knowledge into practice.
The Summit will take place at the John D. Bradley Centre (565 Richmond Street, Chatham, Ontario) from October 21-22, 2015. For more information, contact Marg Beintema.
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SALE ITEM
SNAP Booklets "Bullying" and "Tips for Troubled Times"
Limited price $0.75/copy (regular price $1.00)
Available until October 31, 2015
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This newsletter and past issues can be accessed via our SNAP News page. If you would like other staff at your site to receive this newsletter, which is published three times each year, please email us, and we will be glad to add them to the list.
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