School Based Program

The School Based Program is offered in partnership with the Toronto District School Board and Toronto Catholic District School Board, two school-based mental health services are provided to students 6-12 years of age.  The first is a classroom-based Stop Now and Plan (SNAP®) program for latency age children run by a Community Child Worker, which focuses on externalizing problems and aimed at fostering a pro-social classroom environment, while at the same time addressing the needs of 2-3 students identified as exhibiting behaviour problems.  The second is a withdrawal group program, ACT & ADAPT, for students in grades 4-8 who are identified as experiencing internalizing problems, specifically depressive symptomology. 

The Community Child Workers routinely work with teachers and school support service staff (e.g., co-leading classroom SNAP sessions), to provide ongoing consultation, participate in multidisciplinary discussions, and provide some professional training for school and parent groups. The program outcomes include: gaining and use of new social skills; gaining new problem solving skills; improved anger management skills; improved school functioning and the ability to manage moods satisfactorily.  In the long run, both programs looks to achieve better school success, positive peer and family relationships and better coping and adaptation to life transitions and events.