Stop Now and Plan (SNAP®)
What is SNAP?
SNAP® stands for Stop Now and Plan, a global, evidence-based program that teaches children ages 6-12 how to deal with their emotions and control their reactions to different situations. Social situations can be overwhelming, and younger children often do not have the self-control or problem-solving skills needed to regulate their emotions and keep them out of trouble. The program also provides parents with the tools they need to understand their child’s reactions and help their child regulate their emotions in a manner that will not make the reaction worse.
Disruptive and Anti-Social Behavior
Conduct disorders (disruptive and antisocial behaviors) often start in childhood or after a child experiences a traumatic event. These behavior problems may include such things as ignoring adult instructions, verbal outbursts, physically aggressive behavior (damaging things or harming pets or people), bullying other children, or other actions considered socially unacceptable. The child’s conduct may grow increasingly severe or violent, leading to school suspension or arrest. If these behaviors are not dealt with quickly, the child’s success and relationships in later life may be negatively impacted. Researchers have found that early intervention has the best likelihood of succeeding.
How Does SNAP Work?
Youth and parents each attend separate 90-minute sessions once a week over a 13-week period. Children learn strategies and techniques to regulate emotions and control reactions through role plays, worksheets, and working together to better practice and understand how their choices affect their consequences. Parents will be taught strategies and given tools to support what their children are learning and direct their situational responses to more socially appropriate behaviors.
The primary goal of SNAP is to help children to “stop and plan” before they act, to keep them in school and avoid delinquency and school issues, ultimately keeping the child out of the juvenile justice system and better positioning them to succeed. Dinner, childcare for non-participating children and transportation support offered for group evenings.
Is My Child Eligible for SNAP?
Please complete this Google Docs form (click here) to determine if your child is eligible for SNAP, or contact us at the email addresses or numbers below to learn more.
SNAP is funded by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice through the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services.
More About SNAP
SNAP was developed in 1985 by Child Development Institute in Toronto as an intervention program for young boys at risk of ending up in the juvenile justice system. It is now internationally recognized as an evidence-based cognitive behavioral model that provides a framework for teaching children struggling with behavior issues, and their parents, effective emotional regulation, self-control and problem-solving skills.
For more information, feel free to contact us:
Pasco County
Email: PascoSNAP@yfainc.org | Telephone: (727) 234-5398
Polk County
Email: PolkSNAP@yfainc.org | Telephone: (727)-597-9688