The Allies in Prevention Coalition, an initiative of SCAN of Northern Virginia, engages child and family welfare advocates in communicating regional messages to prevent child abuse and promote children's well-being in Northern Virginia.
About the Coalition
The Coalition seeks to increase community and individual involvement to prevent family violence by sharing best practices;
combining resources; and collaborating on effective public education messages about positive parenting and child abuse prevention.
> Who is involved in the Coalition?
> What happens at quarterly Coalition meetings?
> Learn about the Allies in Prevention Awards
Recent Meeting Topics & Resources
> Unplug With Your Child
> Social Development in Children
> Arlington County’s “Reunified Families” Video
> Supervision Guidelines
> Parenting in Times of Economic Stress
Meet Coalition Members
Welcome to our NEWEST members Bessie Abner from Northern Virginia Family Service - Healthy Families (Prince William); Lisa Banks from Fairfax CASA; Connie Freeman from Buckingham Center (Arlington); Judy Hanley from Loudoun CAC; Dottie Larson from ACTS/Turning Points (Prince William); Alana Marino from KidsPeace Foster Care (Northern VA Region); and Joy Trejo from The Campagna Center!
Meet a Member: Alana Marino, with the new KidsPeace office in Northern Virginia
"Since joining the coalition, I feel like I have a group of people in the community that I can turn to who are just as passionate about Virginia's children and families as I am. I am confident that we can all learn from each other and work together to make the biggest impact possible."
Meet a Member: Judy Martens, LCSW, with Alexandria's Office for Early Childhood Development
"Many times in recent years, I have felt frustrated and overwhelmed by the challenges I face in meeting the needs of family child care providers and child care center staff in a community as culturally and linguistically diverse as Alexandria. Through my participation in the Allies in Prevention Coalition I have found a community of professionals equally as passionate and committed to the health and well-being of children and families as I am. It is through our common commitment and goals that I find validation, hope and inspiration. The energy from the group refuels me and I am able to move forward with the conviction that together we can make a difference in these difficult times."
Meet a Member: Jo Anne Renton, with the Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Prince William Area Child Protection Partnership
"The opportunity to meet and network with other professionals in Northern Virginia during the Allies Coalition meetings has been very valuable to the Parent Education Staff in Prince William County. Information provided by [fellow member] Mary Ann Moran from the Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families was extremely helpful to the Healthy Communities Healthy Youth initiative in Prince William. Another networking opportunity connected me with HILT Special Projects Office in Arlington where I was able to purchase a DVD on family reunification. This DVD has proved very valuable in our work with Hispanic families who are in the process of reunification. In addition the quarterly meetings are a great opportunity to share resources and knowledge with other professionals committed to the health of families and the safety of children."