We help children and youth make better choices “in the moment”.

What is SNAP®?

SNAP® is built on three decades of solid research, innovative program development, and stringent evaluation.
SNAP®, is an award-winning, evidence-based, gender sensitive program that is developed by Child Development Institute. A team of scientists and practitioners, including Kenneth Goldberg, Kathryn Levene, Leena Augimeri, Elizabeth Leggett, Camille Hannays and Dr. Debra Pepler develop the program.
CDI which is an accredited children’s mental health organization in Toronto, ON. Operating since 1985, as an intervention program for boys under 12 years in conflict with the law, the program has grown and evolved into an internationally recognized model for teaching children and their parents.

Some of the clinical milestones that SNAP has accomplished are as follows:

1982: Camp Wimodausis, the first Toronto-based specialized day camp for children ages 6 to 11, whose social and behaviour problems would otherwise prevent them from attending a summer day camp, launches.

1996: SNAP Girls Connection – now called SNAP Girls – the first-ever sustained, gender-specific program for behaviourally troubled girls and their families launches. We recognized a significant gap in programming and research to address the unique factors influencing girl aggression and created SNAP Girls to fill this gap.

1998: The Early Assessment Risk List for Boys (EARL-20B) launches. This comprehensive psychosocial risk assessment framework focuses specifically on young children in trouble with the law. The 20 questions in the manual assist practitioners in identifying risk factors associated with future antisocial behaviour in children.

2001: The Early Assessment Risk List for Girls (EARL-21G) launches. It is a comprehensive gender-specific psychosocial risk assessment tool focused on young girls (6-11years) with disruptive behavioural issues.

SNAP®, is an evidence based, cognitive behavioural therapy program that provides a framework for teaching children and their parents, effective emotional regulation, self-control and problem solving skills.
Our program utilizes both individual and group counselling for parents and their children (concurrently), once a week for a 13-week family education program.

To learn more, please watch this video.

Is your child is between the ages of 6 – 11 years old?

Left untreated, conduct disorders can have long-term, significant impacts on the child, their family and society. Poor lifespan outcomes include persistent criminality (approximately 60 per cent of incarcerated males have a history of conduct disorders), poor vocational and social functioning, mental illness, increased rates of hospitalization, family and parenting dysfunction, and substance abuse.

Typical presenting problems of conduct disorders/disruptive behaviour problems include:

· Difficult family relationships
· Physically aggressive behaviour
· Angry outbursts
· Verbally aggressive or defiant behaviour
· Lack of self-control and problem-solving skills
· Difficulty making and maintaining healthy relationships
· Stealing
· Bullying
· Vandalism

SNAP at Somali Center for Family Services

SNAP®, is culturally informed and is provided by professionals from the same community. Although families of all ethnicities and backgrounds are welcome, we are pleased to offer a culturally responsive program which takes into consideration all cultural, socioeconomic and language-based needs of our clients.
We take pride in ourselves in commitment to social justice, anti-racism, anti-discrimination practices such as anti-oppressive, strength-based approach to serving clients.

Fill out our intake form and someone will be in contact shortly.

Intake

SNAP® has a proven track record for changing lives.

SNAP proven outcomes

Increased emotion regulation, self-control, problem-solving skills, pro-social communication, executive functioning and social competency
Decreased antisocial behaviour, rule breaking, depression, anxiety and police contact
Enhanced ability to make better choices in peers
Improved success at school, including a decrease in disciplinary issues
Increased connection to positive community activities
Development of effective child management strategies, positive support systems, coping abilities and communication skills
Decreased parental distress and increased parental competency
Development of positive pro-social values and conduct

Long-term outcomes (12+ months)

Maintenance of post-group achievements
Continued improvement in the parent’s ability to use effective child management strategies
No involvement with the criminal justice system
Delayed and less frequent trouble with the police/delayed entry into the youth justice system
Continued improvement in the child’s executive functioning

Take a quick virtual tour of our office and meet our staff.

Our SNAP Team

Stella Mona

SNAP Program Manager

s.mona@scfsottawa.org

Asli Mohamed

SNAP Child & Family Worker

a.mohamed@scfsottawa.org

Trisha Islam

Trisha Islam is the Director of All That Kids Can Be at United Way East Ontario (UWEO). Trisha focuses on bringing together people and resources to ensure children, youth, and families are ready for school, have safe and stable housing, and are supported to navigate mental health, substance use, and addictions challenges.

She is a Bangladeshi Muslim immigrant and hopes for communities across East Ontario to be places where children and youth feel safe and seen, can be themselves, and have access to whatever they need to reach their dreams. Trisha brings knowledge and experience from working alongside youth-led collective impact initiatives across Canada, community and international development, social policy, food security, and financial empowerment.

Hedaia Leandre

Hedaia is a 22 year old who is simultaneously studying Business Administration at Algonquin College and Medical Office Assistant at ABM College. She is passionate about community building, social inclusion and finding ways to be sustainable. She is also someone who loves to learn and research about the origins of certain topics. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, dancing and baking sweets.

Hedaia decided to join the Building Black Youth Future Resilience Advisory Committee because she wants to contribute to the knowledge-development of the Black youths in our community. She believes that she will also have the opportunity to learn new skills and meet like-minded folks.

Nicole Greaves

Nicole is a community leader and advocate with a message of collaboration and positive engagement that facilitate individual and community well-being. She is a Holistic Care Consultant and Registered Nurse with many years of experience in the health and wellness sector.

Nicole is intentional about volunteering, mentoring and learning with families, seniors and youths from diverse communities. She is also the founding Director of “Ubuntu ConneXions Community Inc. with the vision of promoting and embodying community unity, collaborative works and caring to make a difference in our lifes’ journey.

She believes that self-care is a necessary investment plan for the mind and body. Her self-care investment portfolio includes rest, physical movement and spending time with family and friends embracing grace and gratitude.

Nicole welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the collective works of the Somali Centre for Family Services’ BBYFR Steering Committee

Ubuntu,

Nicole

Tolorunlogo Akinrinola

Tolorunlogo Akinrinola is a Nigerian-born Canadian passionate about combating racial inequalities through education, art, and community building.

Tolorunlogo is a graduate of the University of Ottawa Masters of Education program, as well as a graduate of the third cohort of the Developing Young Leaders of Tomorrow, Today Black Diplomats Academy (BDA Academy) - where he was selected as a delegate to the United Nations Permanent Forum of People of African Descent. He won the Rising Star award at BDA Academy. Tolorunlogo is also an artist who has had his work featured at the Ottawa Art Gallery and in exhibitions in London and Toronto.

Tolorunlogo is an up-and-coming policy analyst looking to dismantle the School-to-Prison pipeline that disproportionally affects youth of African descent. Currently, he is the Director of Future Paths Network and an Executive Board Member of Minds-On, both grassroots non-profit organizations that aim to shape an equitable future for Black and racialized youth. On his ‘off days’, Tolorunlogo enjoys various hobbies, such as diverse cuisines, music, poetry, writing, origami, basketball, and reading.

Nicole Greaves

Nicole welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the collective works of the Somali Centre for Family Services’ BBYFR Steering Committee

Ubuntu,

Nicole

Anne Musene

Anne L. Musene is a 22 years old and hold an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in International Development and Globalization from the University of Ottawa. Anne is currently completing my Graduate Certificate in Project Management at Algonquin College. Anne is passionate about topics of economic growth, environmental protection, community building, and social inclusion. In her free time, Anne enjoys researching interesting topics, reading, learning new languages, teaching violin and piano, and co-directing children's music ensembles.

Anne joined the Building Black Youth Future Resilience Advisory Committee to be more involved and contribute to the best of my capacities in our Black youth community. Moreover, it is an excellent opportunity to develop new skills, connect with new people, and build resilience overall. Anne is looking forward to learning more about the BBYFR project and contributing to its evolution.

Ahmed Awad

Ahmed is a 5th year student studying at Western University in the Medical Sciences program. Ahmed is thrilled to be part of the BBYFR Project Advisory Committee and look forward to helping Black youth explore the many opportunities in the STEM fields.

Samira Awad

Samira is currently a fourth-year Science student at the University of Ottawa. Samira is excited to be part of the BBYFR Project Advisory Committee and to be able to help Black youths succeed in their education and secure a job.

Chanda Jones

Chanda Jones is the Founder and CEO of Future Paths Network, a grassroot non-profit dedicated to supporting black youth transitioning from foster care. As an ambassador of the Children's Aid Foundation of Canada, she is an advocate for positive change. Chanda's passion lies in offering mentorship and creating nurturing environments for young individuals in entrepreneurship, entertainment, and culture. As a youth program consultant, she helps organizations achieve effective engagement, contributing to the prosperity of black youth and fostering community connections. Chanda's impactful work centers on bridging pathways to new opportunities and creating a brighter future for the youth she serves.

We help children and youth make better choices “in the moment”.

What is SNAP®?

SNAP® has a proven track record for changing lives.

Take a quick virtual tour of our office and meet our staff.

Our SNAP Team

Stella Mona

Asli Mohamed

Head Office

Youth Office

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Trisha Islam

Hedaia Leandre

Nicole Greaves

Tolorunlogo Akinrinola

Nicole Greaves

Anne Musene

Ahmed Awad

Samira Awad

Chanda Jones