New Program To Aid At-risk Boys

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Auberle, a facility that serves abused and neglected children, will launch a new intervention program aimed at the top 2 percent of at-risk boys 6 to 12, who have a first encounter with police, Allegheny County has announced.

Called "Stop Now and Plan," or SNAP, the pilot program is scheduled to begin in January.

The two-year program will begin with 63 boys from the Mon Valley and aim to reduce levels of juvenile recidivism and steer offenders away from a lifetime of illegal or violent behavior.

The program could save the county $4 million in court costs and detention fees. It is expected to cost $600,000, which is being raised through individual and foundation grants.

SNAP was developed in Toronto about 20 years ago to reach out to juveniles and in some communities has enabled 70 percent of its participants to stay crime free.

The county's Probation Department, the Youth Crime Prevention Council and Pittsburgh Social Ventures Partners collaborated to bring SNAP here.