April 1, 2020–SCAN of Northern Virginia today announced it has received a $10,000 grant from AT&T that will support its work this April, during Child Abuse Prevention Month. As SCAN’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month Sponsor, AT&T is providing critical funding and helping to raise awareness at a pivotal moment for the children of Northern Virginia.
“Unfortunately, we anticipate that incidences of child abuse and neglect will skyrocket because of the COVID-19 epidemic,” said Leah Fraley, SCAN’s Executive Director. “But we have an opportunity this month—during National Child Abuse Prevention Month—to make sure our community is aware of this threat and empowered to protect children and support parents when they need it most.”
AT&T’s support will allow SCAN to develop more resources for families, as well as distribute them to more communities.
“Now more than ever, SCAN’s work on behalf of children is vital. This support will enable them to protect children and families facing great challenges,” said Garrett McGuire, AT&T’s regional director for External Affairs in Virginia.
In addition to dozens of resources that will be available on SCAN’s website and social media channels, SCAN and AT&T are inviting community members to raise awareness of child abuse prevention by participating in Wear Blue Day on Friday, April 3rd. Participants are encouraged to take a photo, share it on social media, and use the hashtag #wearbluedayVA. (SCAN will be re-posting images with @scanofnova, @ATT, and @ATTimpact.)
AT&T has rolled out individuals to help parents, children and educators during this pandemic, including a Distance Learning and Family Connections Fund that helps organizations like Khan Academy improve and expand online learning resources to meet the growing demand from parents, teachers and students; 60 days of free access and unlimited usage of Caribu, a video-calling application that allows family members to read, draw, and play games with one another while at different locations; and TIME for Kids will remove their paywall through the end of the school year, digitize their product and launch a library of digital magazines that would become available to everyone.
About SCAN
SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) of Northern Virginia is the only region-wide organization focused on preventing child abuse and neglect. We believe every child deserves a safe, stable, nurturing home. Keeping children safe and helping them thrive require a continuum of prevention programs that engage families, professionals, and community members. With a core focus on the wellbeing of every child — and a deep understanding of the complexity of child development, abuse, and trauma — we work to empower the four groups surrounding a child:
Families, including parents and other caregivers
Advocates for children, especially for those already in the court system
Child welfare professionals, such as CPS workers and educators
Community members
We believe every one of these groups is on the front lines of prevention, and SCAN’s role is to engage and empower these adults to take an active role in the protection of children.
SCAN continues to gather valuable resources available for children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you know of an additional resource we should include, please send an email with details to info@scanva.org.
GENERAL SUPPORT
2-1-1 Virginia is a free service that can help you find the resources you need. Dial 2-1-1.
Find Help(Food assistance, help paying bills, and other free or reduced cost programs, including new programs for the COVID-19 pandemic)
APS WhatsApp en Español — email dulce.carrillo@apsva.us with the name, school and cell phone number of the person to be added. Connecting Arlington Spanish Speaking Parent Leaders.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Comcast is now providing free “Internet Essentials” service to low-income families for 60-days. Sign-up is available online here: https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19
Fairfax Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB)offers MyStrength web and mobile tools to help parents with self care, wellbeing and more.Visit www.mystrength.com and use the access code CSBCommunity.
Starting Monday, March 16, 2020, Alexandria City Public Schools will be providing emergency meals at no cost for any child under 18 and any family who needs it.
There are two ways to access food while schools are closed: Individual Meals to Go and Family Meal Packs.
Beginning Mon, March 16, APS will provide free grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches at two school sites – Kenmore Middle School (200 S. Carlin Springs Road) and Dr. Charles R. Drew Elementary School (3500 S. 23rd Street). Meals will be set up on a table outside the building for distribution from 11 a.m.to 1 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Fairfax County Public Schools will be providing emergency grab and go lunches at no cost for students at five sites on Monday, March 16, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m..
School-age students are welcome to come to any of the five sites to pick up a lunch during that time period. All meals are available at no cost to children 18 years and under. Adult lunches are available for purchase for $2.
Loudoun County School Nutrition Services (SNS) is expanding and extending free meal service in our school communities from March 16 to March 20 and March 23 to March 27 at schools and other designated locations. Please note, there will be no weekend service.
As a reminder, school-based meal service will be provided from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meals will be available at each school and students will be allowed to receive two meals daily (a breakfast and a lunch) and can choose to take both meals simultaneously.
To-go meals will be provided to all children under the age of 18 present at the time of service, without charge, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination during the meal service.
Service Times: Monday- Friday* 9-10 a.m. Service Style: To-go Meals served at the front door of each location Meal Types: Packaged breakfast and lunch will be served at the same time
Salvation Army provides curbside groceries in Fairfax County – Learn more
Free meals and Groceries
During this difficult time so many families are suffering as COVID19 has impacted daily wagers and people who live their lives pay check to pay check. The Pakistani community has come forward to help those in need.
If you are going through a difficult time, you can go to one of these places for free meals and grocery.
https://library.arlingtonva.us/— The library has changed its main page to focus on our electronic resources for the public. You do need to have a library card to use many of them, but we’re encouraging people to get online cards.
Lunch Doodles with Mo Williams on You Tube. Start here!
Help for Parents who have to print items from home:
IMPEL is offering parents who can’t print children’s assignments help to convert files to easier formats. Teachers can also get support on how to make distance learning more feasible for families. Email Alvaro@impel.life or call 202-644-6812. In the subject line please have students include the term CONVERT. We will try to turn things around same day or within 24 hours. Please let the parents and students know this is a FREE service we are offering. My team and I are happy to volunteer our time to help students convert ANY document so that they can complete the assignments at home and email them back without having to print anything.
Formed Families Forward Stronger Together peer groups for youth and young adults age 14-22, and for parents and caregivers VIRTUALLY. Regular members of the groups have been sent the log-in information. New participants can register at our regular Eventbrite site HERE.Log in information will be sent to new registrants before the next session.
Christ House Evening Meal: We are serving meals-to-go only at our evening meal.
St. Lucy Food Project pantries, including Christ House in Alexandria, Loaves and Fishes in Front Royal, and the Leesburg Regional Office. Food bags are being distributed to clients. Social distancing is being employed for clients waiting in line.
Things are rapidly changing across Northern Virginia as our communities respond to the threat of COVID-19. Over the past week I have been working closely with our staff and board to transition our team to work remotely, rearrange schedules, and think of the best ways to support children and families during an unprecedented time of isolation and anxiety. Though our Family Programs have been canceled through the end of the month, our program staff will be communicating with families via email and text, and sharing resources online as often as possible. Though CASA Volunteers will not make in-person visits with their children, they will continue working on cases and begin using videoconferencing tools like FaceTime to stay in touch with children and caregivers. Though our Allies in Prevention Awards have had to be postponed, we still plan to launch our 2020 public education campaign and make all resources available for download from our site. We expect staff and partners to remain flexible and creative in the coming weeks, as we all have one goal — protecting children and supporting families when they need it most.
As I’ve worked with our team over the past few days, I am reminded that in times like these we see how committed so many in our community are to making the best (sometimes difficult) decisions for children and families.
Even with these adjustments, we know that incidences of abuse and neglect are going to skyrocket during this time.
So, how can you help?
Make a donation to SCAN, and make that donation now.
We will keep you updated as things change, as more resources become available, and as we understand more about how this is impacting children and families. For now, the best way to stay in touch with SCAN is via email or social media. Please take care of yourselves and thank you so much for your continued support of SCAN.
Leah Fraley, Executive Director SCAN of Northern Virginia
On February 24th, SCAN, Formed Families Forward, and ARC of Loudoun will host a 2-hour workshop for parents and families of children with special needs. Caring for a child who has special education needs or has experienced trauma can be challenging. Come battle the mid-year blues with Yolonda Thompson, Family Program Manager of SCAN Family Programs and Kelly Henderson, Ph.D., Executive Director of Formed Families Forward. This winter workshop will help refresh your parenting and problem-solving tool kit with strategies to build resiliency and address mid-school year challenges. Families and educational professionals will come away with practical tools they can use at home and in the classroom.
Families are encouraged to bring questions and documents such as Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to problem solve challenges they and their child are experiencing at home and in the classroom.
Open to all interested parents, caregivers, and professionals, though content will address issues of particular relevance to foster, adoptive and kinship families. We offer training and support to foster, adoptive and kinship families raising children and youth with special needs. Older teens and young adults are welcome to attend. Please note child care for younger children is not available.
Light refreshments will be served at 6 PM; formal program starts at 6:30 PM. No child care is available.
“State of the Child” Address– Join Chloe Edwards and Mary Beth Testa, Voices for Virginia’s Children, and Ali Faruk, Families Forward Virginia, to explore your role in making change for children and families in Prince William and across the state. Together we will use data and stories to educate local and state decision makers about your needs.
Breakout Sessions, including:
Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences to Build Resilient Communities – Join Allyson Halverson and Heather Martinsen to learn more about the impact that childhood adversity and trauma has on lifetime health and well-being and what communities can do to build a resilient community.
What you need to know about Virginia’s 2020 General Assembly – Join Chloe Edwards, Voices for Virgnia’s Children, and Ali Faruk, Families Forward Virginia, to take a deeper dive into Virginia’s 2020 General Assembly session. Learn what to expect in 2020 and how to team up to advocate for children and families.
Demystifying Meetings and Phone Calls to Legislators – Join Mary Beth Testa, Voices for Virginia’s Children, for an interactive workshop for new advocates. Together we’ll learn about phone calls, emails and in-person meetings with legislators. Participants will have the opportunity to practice applying their new skills in preparation for Virginia’s 2020 General Assembly.
Suggested pathways for your advocacy training day:
Are you new to advocacy or just getting started? Go to “Demystifying” in Breakout Session 1 and then head to “Virginia’s 2020 General Assembly” session in Breakout Session 2.
Do you have experience standing up for families and are eager to hear what’s happening in Virginia? Check out “Virginia’s 2020 General Assembly” in Session 1 and then head to “Understanding ACES” in Session 2.
Are you interested in a deep dive into what children and families are facing and what you can do about it? Check into “Understanding ACES” in Session 1 and then head over to “Virginia’s 2020 General Assembly” in Session 2
Registration is required and costs $10. Register HERE.
November 16, 2019 (Army Navy Country Club, Arlington, VA) — On November 16th, more than 300 supporters attended SCAN’s 17th annual Toast to Hope gala at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington. A record-breaking $186,000 was raised at the event, the first time it was hosted as a “Blue Tie Gala” where guests were invited to wear blue, the national color of child abuse prevention.
The Principle Sponsor of the event was The Robert Yager Family. Champion and Leader Sponsors included Custom Ink, Wells Fargo, McEnearney Associates, and Daniela Spigai Realtor with Homes of Alexandria. Other lead sponsors included Landini Brothers Restaurants (Bar Cart Sponsors), King’s Jewelry (Blue Tie Bar Sponsors) and The Zebra Press (Media Sponsor). Capital Bank sponsored a Photo Booth at the event; a photo gallery of the event is available online at fb.com/SCANVA.
In addition to a cocktail hour, silent auction, and seated dinner, the evening included the presentation of the 2019 Cleary Award to Lt. General Pete Cuviello and Donna Fleming Cuviello. Donna and Pete have been champions of SCAN for nearly a decade. They each had long, successful careers—Donna in human services and national nonprofit management, along with executive management in the private sector, and Pete in information technology and cyber security as a Lt. General and ultimately the CIO/G6 for the U.S. Army and then as a Managing Director at Deloitte & Touche. In 2013, Donna joined SCAN’s Board of Directors and spent the next five years taking on leadership roles, eventually serving as Board President. Donna currently serves as the Honorary Board’s Chairwomen. Donna and Pete’s team investment of leadership, time, and finances has affected not only SCAN’s strategy, but ultimately its impact on children and families in our community.
Toast to Hope: A Blue Tie Affair raised critical funds for SCAN’s growing child abuse prevention programs, and is especially significant this year as the organization completes its 30th year of programming that protects children and prevents child abuse across Northern Virginia.
+++
About SCAN of Northern Virginia
SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) is the only region-wide organization focused on preventing child abuse and neglect across Northern Virginia. We believe every child deserves a safe, stable, nurturing home. Keeping children safe and helping them thrive require a continuum of prevention programs that engage families, professionals, and community members. With a core focus on the wellbeing of every child — and a deep understanding of the complexity of child development, abuse, and trauma — we work to empower the four groups surrounding a child:
Families, including parents and other caregivers, through our Family Programs,
Advocates for children, especially for those already in the court system, through the Alexandria/Arlington CASA Program,
Child welfare professionals, such as CPS workers and educators, through our Professional Development Program, and
Community members, through our Public Education Program.
We believe every one of these groups is on the front lines of prevention, and SCAN’s role is to engage and empower these adults to take an active role in the protection of children.
August 20, 2019 (Falls Church, VA) — SCAN of Northern Virginia will be hosting the Forensic Experiential Trauma Interview (FETI®)training in Falls Church, from October 7-11, 2019 at the Inova Center for Personalized Health Conference Center. FETI provides interviewers with a science-informed interviewing framework, an approach being used internationally by law enforcement, universities, healthcare providers, and other professionals who interview regularly.
Thanks to funding from Northern Virginia Health Foundation, interested professionals are invited to apply for scholarships to cover the cost of the trainingopportunity. Applications are due by September 6, 2019.
Certified FETI training teaches interviewers the neuroscience on how memory is encoded and recalled during high stress or trauma and provides them with a science and practice-based interviewing methodology aimed at maximizing opportunities for information collection. In addition, the training provides interviewers with a framework to accurately document traumatic experiences in a neutral, equitable and fair manner.
“Traditional interviewing techniques focus on sequencing and two–dimensional questions like the who, what, where, how and why,” says Dan Jimmerson, the Chief Operating Officer at Certified FETI. “Instead, we teach interviewers to use Brain-based Cues that help unlock experiential details that arecentral to that individual’s experience, ultimately producing greater opportunities for a larger quantity of information and veracity in the interview.”
Certified FETI offers a full path to certification for individuals and organizations across the world that are looking for standardized, accountable, and transparent interviews.
“We believe that one way to prevent abuse is to help every adult better understand trauma and its impact,” says Allyson Halverson, Director of Professional Development at SCAN. “By bringing a training like FETI to Northern Virginia, we can empower professionals in our communityto incorporate trauma informed practices into their work.”
SCAN is the only region-wide organization focused solely on preventing child abuse and neglect across Northern Virginia. With a core focus on the wellbeing of every child — and a deep understanding of the complexity of child development, abuse, and trauma — we work to engage the four groups surrounding a child:
Families, including parents and other caregivers
Advocates for children, especially for those already in the court system
Child welfare professionals, such as CPS workers and educators
Certified FETI® is the founding and governing body of the official Forensic Experiential Trauma Interview, a science and practice-based interviewing methodology informed by the latest research on the neurobiology of trauma and memory.
The Forensic Experiential Trauma Interview (FETI®) provides interviewers with a science-informed interviewing framework that maximizes opportunities for information collection and accurately documents the participant’s experience in a neutral, equitable, and fair manner.
To learn more about the FETI or how to become FETI certified, www.certifiedfeti.com.
April 26, 2019—On April 26th, more than 75 at-risk youth and youth aging out of foster care attended theinaugural Arlington Youth in Transition Conference. SCAN of Northern Virginia’s CASA Program and the Arlington County Department of Human Services hosted the event for local youth ages 14-21.
As children in the foster care system get older (and eventually “age-out”) they face new challenges. They need to prepare to function as independent adults without the same supports and connections their peers have in place.
“We need to connect these teenagers with the resources needed to transition into adulthood,” noted Amy Wilker, Director of SCAN’s CASA Program
Workshops, panel discussions, and more information were available on a variety of topics including employment services, educational options, financial management, health, and housing. The event also provided an opportunity for youth to “shop” for personal care items as well as win gift cards to local stores.
“For older youth and teens in the system, even the simplest of items—things like deodorant, a toothbrushor evena coffee—can be difficult to come by,”addedWilker. “We are incredibly grateful for the hundreds of toiletry and gift card donations provided for teens to pick up at the event.”
District Taco provided lunch for youth and adults at the conference. Other sponsors of the event include Kiwanis of Alexandria, Community Foundation of Arlington, Gordon Shin, and Together We Rise. Osiris Hoil, District Taco CEO and SCAN Board Member, said the choice to support this new event was simple.
“When I first came to America, I struggled to support myself.So being able to provide a meal to others means a lot to me,” shared Hoil. “It is important to us that we get involved in the community in any way we can. If we can make it so that someone doesn’t have to choose between a meal and basic necessities even for one day, we’ll do whatever it takes.”
+++
About SCAN of Northern Virginia
We believe child abuse and neglect can be prevented.
Our vision is a community where every child has the opportunity to grow up in a safe, stable, nurturing family, with the supports the child needs to thrive today and contribute to stronger communities tomorrow.
SCAN’s Alexandria/Arlington CASA Program provides trained volunteersappointed by the court to serve as a voice for children in the juvenile court system. Last year, the Alexandria/Arlington CASA Program provided volunteer advocates (or “CASAs”) to more than 164 children in Alexandria and Arlington, and more than 20% were age 14 or older.
April 5, 2019–SCAN celebrated the work of five local heroes at the 17th Annual Allies in Prevention Awards to kick off National Child Abuse Prevention Month. With special guest emcee Leon Harris from NBC4, the event also featured Keynote Speaker Dr. Heather Pfeifer, who presented an introduction to the compelling Illuminations training. The event was made possible by sponsors including AT&T, Inova, and Burke & Herbert Bank.
The 2019 Allies in Prevention Awards were presented to:
Annette Amendiola | Alexandria
Annette Amendiola is a Deputy Court Clerk in the City of Alexandria’s Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court. In a role where she is certainly not required to go above and beyond for the many children she sees in court every day—that’s exactly what she does.
“She has great concern for Alexandria’s children alleged to be abused and neglected,” notes her nominator, who witnesses her care and attention to detail, whether it’s ensuring a file is processed in a timely manner or being certain legal procedures are followed. Her goal is always to make sure that the most vulnerable children are able to have their hearings on schedule and without delay. She calls attorneys, social workers, and CASA volunteers to alert them about everything from necessary forms to new appointments. Annette is a shining example of how any person who comes in contact with children can prioritize their wellbeing and have a positive impact on their lives.
Kendra Burlingame | Arlington
Kendra Burlingame is a CASA Volunteer with the Alexandria/Arlington CASA Program. Immediately after being sworn in as a volunteer in the Fall of 2016, Kendra was assigned to advocate for three siblings in Arlington. She has been tirelessly advocating for them ever since—committing more than 440 hours to their case in that time. This includes meeting with the children and their mother, attending school and DHS meetings, and working with other professionals involved in the case. When the children moved to Maryland, Kendra did not let distance keep her from her work. She helped them prepare for the change by helping the mother with financial assistance for before and after-school care, attending IEP meetings, and meeting with old and new teachers to plan a smooth transition for the children. What’s more, Kendra continues to meet with the family on a monthly basis. Judges and GALs have commended her in court, and her nominator knows why:
“Kendra’s love for and commitment to children who have been abused and neglected is obvious through her hard work, motivation and compassion in her role as an advocate.”
Adriana Hill | Prince William
Adriana Hill is a School Parent Liaison at Westgate Elementary School in the Prince William County School district. Like many parent liaisons, she talks to parents, teaches parenting classes, and works with volunteers. But Adriana’s nominator describes her as “a feisty, determined trailblazer,” which means her work does not stop there. Westgate is 80% Spanish-speaking, and 100% of the students walk to school. Many of the students are dealing with the challenges of immigration, drugs, gangs, and poverty.
“Adriana works tirelessly to address the needs of the whole child,” notes her nominator. Adriana worked to establish a school food bank—the only one in Prince William County—as well as a holiday gift drive for students in need. She is a trained Systematic Training for Effective Parenting class facilitator, and spent free time in her summers at Parent Facilitator training with Virginia Cooperative Extension.
“Adriana understands that meeting the physical, emotional, and educational needs of a family helps reduce and eliminate child abuse and neglect,” adds her nominator. “She does this work without fanfare. She humbly and happily relishes the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students.”
Suheir Kafri | Loudoun
Suheir Kafri is the lead social worker at the ADAMS (All Dulles Area Muslim Society) Center, a faith-based nonprofit that serves more than 6,000 children and families in the region. In her role, Suheir recognized the importance of talking about child sexual abuse prevention. She worked with the administration to bring the sometimes difficult issue to the forefront of discussions, eventually scheduling a Darkness to Light Stewards of Children training for all leaders working with youth at the center. She received such a positive reaction, notes her nominator, for “stepping out in boldness to bring such a tough topic to the organization…It takes courage to go against what others may feel is unnecessary and step out in faith.” Suheir also serves on the Loudoun Trauma-Informed Community Network’s steering committee, working collaboratively to build trauma awareness across Loudoun County. Her commitment to educating community members on topics like child sexual abuse and trauma is changing lives.
“Suheir Krafi is a kind, courageous force,” adds her nominator. “She’s a true champion of child abuse prevention.”
Mary Beth Salomone Testa | Fairfax
Mary Beth Salomone Testa is the Northern Virginia consultant for Voices for Virginia’s Children, the commonwealth’s only independent, multi-issue child policy and advocacy organization. In her role with Voices, Mary Beth is a tireless champion of children’s rights and wellbeing. She connects with countless agencies, programs and advocates here in Northern Virginia—then carries the region’s voices, stories, and data to Richmond to advocate on behalf of our community’s children and families. Mary Beth advocates for smart policies and investments for child and family well-being; works to ensure policy makers are considering the whole child and family; and empowers advocates to tell the stories behind the data. Her passionate work at SCAN’s Advocacy Day this year, for example, resulted in parents and other community members turning their firsthand experience with abuse and trauma into impactful stories that can change the way elected officials both understand and create policy around critical issues.
“She believes passionately that every one of us can use our voice to make a real impact,” notes her nominator. “Mary Beth is a genuine champion of children’s rights.”
Explore a photo gallery from the event on SCAN’s Facebook page here.
April 5, 2019 – Burke & Herbert Bank is raising funds for SCAN of Northern Virginia’s child abuse prevention programs through its annual coin drive throughout the month of April—National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Community members can make coin donations to SCAN at any of the Bank’s branches, and Burke & Herbert Bank will match all coin donations up to a total of $2,000.
“Burke & Herbert Bank is proud to support SCAN and its work to prevent child abuse in our community,” said Terry Cole, Burke & Herbert Bank Executive Vice President. “We are inviting our customers, branch visitors, and team members to show their support for children in our community and are pleased to be able to make participating in the coin drive convenient by accepting donations at all 25 of our branches.”
“More than 10,000 children were reported as abused or neglected in Northern Virginia last year alone,” said Leah Fraley, SCAN’s Executive Director. “We’re grateful for partners like Burke & Herbert Bank who help us raise funds to support our prevention programs as well as help us build awareness across Northern Virginia about the devastating consequences of child abuse and neglect. “
Burke & Herbert Bank, established in 1852, is the oldest bank in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the oldest continuously operating bank in the Washington, D.C. area. The Bank offers a full range of personal and business banking products and services to meet customers’ banking, borrowing and investing needs. Burke & Herbert Bank is headquartered in Alexandria and operates 25 branches in northern Virginia. Visit burkeandherbertbank.com. Member FDIC.
