A SNAP® Update From Dr. Leena Augimeri (Director, SNAP Scientific & Program Development) & The SNAP Research & Implementation Team
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While summer has ended and a new school year has  started, we want to acknowledge the SNAP implementation site and team in Halifax, Nova Scotia, housed within the Centre for Building Resilience through Anti-Violence Education’s (BRAVE) and their 5 years of successful SNAP service delivery.
SNAP in Halifax was launched on May 2014, and was the first implementation site to focus solely on girls. Funded by Public Safety Canada under the National Crime Prevention Strategy, they delivered both the SNAP Girls and SNAP for Schools programs, supporting a diverse demographic where the number of SNAP participants far exceeded the projected referral target! We are ecstatic with the outcomes that this affiliate site achieved.
Outcomes reflect the benefit and need for SNAP in Halifax. Children cannot afford to remain on an extensive waiting list when research shows that the longer they are delayed service, the bigger the consequences for the child and families’ well-being.
Due to limited time funding, the site has had to close its doors, but are working toward more sustainable funding to re-open SNAP Services in Halifax and the surrounding areas. SNAP services can only continue with the help of funders, community partners and donors. Every child deserves timely access to evidence-based, early intervention mental health services. By making the accessibility of mental health services a priority, we can improve the lives of children and families in Halifax and across Nova Scotia. |
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5-Year Journey With Our SNAP Affiliate Site In Halifax
BRAVE, the home of SNAP, located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, was the first licensed SNAP affiliate in the Atlantic region. With help from Public Safety Canada funding, SNAP services were provided to fill a critical gap of mental health services for young girls and their families.
SNAP Halifax had well over 200 referrals, with 199 girls in service! Using the Early Assessment Risk List for Girls (EARL-21G) at intake, the majority of girls were evaluated as high-risk. The true needs of service can be seen in the research data collected by Dr. Michael Ungar and his team at the Resilience Research Centre at Dalhousie University.
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SNAP Halifax Results
The rigorous evaluation demonstrated statistically significant results in reducing internalizing (e.g., anxiety, depression) and externalizing problems (e.g., conduct problems, oppositional defiance) for participating girls. The research has shown that these improvements are sustained even six months after graduating from SNAP. Children also reported:
- Having fewer bullying issues (53%);
- Better self-control (66%);
- Retention of SNAP skills (94%)
Parents reported to have:
- Better parent and child management skills (88%);
- Better self-control and emotion regulation (56%); and
- Healthier relationships with their entire family and daughter (72%).
There was also a decrease in aggressive behaviours, missed class time and disciplinary measures in schools.
126 participants graduated from SNAP Girls/Caregiver Groups! We learned that caregiver involvement was the key to success. In each case study, the caregiver involvement was an important factor to see positive results.
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Support and Inspire Change
Dr. Michael Ungar’s evaluation team found that 96% of girls that were screened were admitted into the SNAP program in Halifax (Resilience Research Centre, 2019). This indicates the high demand for an evidence-based early intervention program for children with disruptive behaviours. It is evident that children’s mental health programs can prosper with strong partnerships within the community and with stable funding, children and families are able to access effective services.
If you and your organization would like to bring SNAP into your community, please contact SNAP@childdevelop.ca
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Thank You BRAVE and SNAP Halifax
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“One person can make a difference, and everyone should try” – John F. Kennedy
A sample of some cute thank-you cards that were sent by schools who received SNAP in their classrooms to the SNAP Halifax team! A child told a staff member that SNAP was the best thing that ever happened to her in her whole life.
Dear Hayley,
Thank you so m  uch Hayley for teaching us about the SNAP program. My favourite session was when we talked about stealing. I learned a lot of ideas for being assertive. You taught us how to make our problems smaller.
Thank you
Sincerely,
SNAP child
Dear Kate, 
Thank-you so much for teaching me SNAP. I really enjoyed it! I especially like watching the role plays. Thank you also for teaching us how to control our feelings. I hope you have a GREAT summer. Please come again!
Sincerely,
SNAP child
Dear Kate, 
Thank you for teaching me and my class SNAP. I think me and my class had a wonderful time in SNAP. SNAP has probably helped tons of people and it certainly helped myself. I remember some stops and plans = drink water, SNAP, walk away, and others. I really appreciated you coming for SNAP.
Sincerely,
SNAP child
PS I hope you have fun with other SNAP students
Dear Kate, 
I love all the role plays you do with us. I also like the hand signals STOP NOW AND PLAN! I like all the things you talk about in SNAP. Like peer pressure, bullying, belonging and more. I had a wonderful time with you Kate. I had the best 13 weeks of my life. Thank you for making this the best 13 weeks of my life.
Love, SNAP child
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