Mentorship in action: david farrington’s transformative influence on the SNAP children’s mental health and crime prevention program and the early assessment risk list (EARL) for children

Abstract

In this paper, we reflected on the decades of guidance that David Farrington provided to the Stop Now And Plan (SNAP®) program and the Early Assessment Risk List (EARL). SNAP is a trauma-informed, evidencebased, gender-sensitive early intervention program for 6- to 11-year-old children with disruptive behavior problems, such as aggression, rule-breaking, and conduct issues. The program equips children with practical

skills to pause and think before acting, fostering improved decision-making in challenging situations. The EARL is a structured professional judgment assessment scheme designed to identify risks and inform risk management strategies. It guides clinical assessments and treatment planning tailored to the needs of children with disruptive behavior and their families. We discuss how David guided us in identifying the causal risk and protective factors associated with children’s aggression, delineating the active ingredients of the multifaceted SNAP intervention, and applying rigorous methods, such as randomized controlled trials, to evaluate its effectiveness. David also spearheaded benefit-cost analyses of SNAP, demonstrating its monetary value and efficacy – an essential step in establishing its impact. His unwavering dedication to advancing the field, combined with his kindness and encouragement to think boldly, has left an indelible mark on our work and the broader discipline. To improve clinical practice, we must adopt a culturally responsive and safety-focused approach, remain accountable, and ensure our efforts are practical, cost effective and contribute meaningfully to advancing the field (Augimeri, 2019). These principles underscore the transformative power of the scientistpractitioner framework in bridging research and practice to develop scalable, impactful solutions.