Government of Canada funds crime prevention efforts in Toronto

Programs to offer at-risk youth life skills to make smart choices

Toronto, OCTOBER 15, 2009 – Today, the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety announced federal support of over $5.1 million for two local projects that will help at-risk youth in Toronto.  

“This government is taking concrete action to make our communities safer,” said Minister Van Loan. “The funding announced today will provide support and strategies to at-risk youth to deter them from entering the criminal justice system.”

Through the National Crime Prevention Strategy, the Government of Canada is providing over $3.3 million to the Canadian Safe Schools Network and $1.8 million to St. Leonard’s Society of Toronto to implement the Stop Now and Plan (SNAP) ® program. This is an evidence-based program targeted to at-risk youth and provides support to their parents.

The SNAP® for Schools project being implemented by Canadian Safe Schools Network is based on the patented SNAP® program developed by the Child Development Institute (CDI). This project will use the patented techniques to decrease the risk of youth between the ages of 6 and 11 in engaging in future delinquent behaviour by teaching effective behavioural skills. This project will work with CDI who will help identify, through school principals, teachers and social workers which classrooms may have students requiring this programming.  

The SNAP® program being implemented by St. Leonard’s Society of Toronto will target youth aged 6 to 11 who are at high-risk of criminal involvement and have come into contact or are at risk of coming into contact with the police. SNAP® employs a cognitive behavioural approach to help at-risk youth decrease anger, aggression, antisocial behaviour and impulsive behaviour.

About the National Crime Prevention Strategy:
The National Crime Prevention Strategy is administered by Public Safety Canada. The Strategy provides funding support to selected projects that help prevent crime and increase knowledge about what works in crime prevention.

For more information, please visit www.tacklingcrime.gc.ca.

Information:

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657