As we reflect on the impact of our programs in 2017, it’s an important time for us to gather new data about children and families in our communities. One of our favorite resources for statistics is Voices for Virginia’s Children, especially their links to the Kids Count Data Center, a project of the Annie E. Casey […]
SCAN has known for years that Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children is an excellent curriculum for teaching all adults how to protect children from child sexual abuse. We have trained close to 1,500 adults in Northern Virginia. However, there is a wider network of Darkness to Light facilitators in Northern Virginia, DC, and Maryland […]
Last month, Voices for Virginia’s Children published an important blog post about state-wide collaboration and its impact on children who have experienced trauma. They shared three states we can watch for best practices and policy, and we’re re-posting their thoughts today as we continue the discussion about Trauma Informed Care (listen to our recent radio show on […]
Friends, When we sat down to write this note, it began with three simple questions: 1. Why are we calling for change in our community? Every day the children in our community are experiencing abuse and neglect – reports of heartbreaking cases are in the news daily. Unfortunately, more than 40,000 children in Virginia were involved in […]
It’s a new school year and we’re excited to launch a new menu of workshops for the community! We encourage ALL groups of people to consider a workshop — from nonprofits, schools and government agencies to parenting groups, employers and faith groups. Our workshops are based on SCAN’s existing child abuse prevention and advocacy programs as well as the […]
Being the wealthiest county in the United States might sound like a great thing, but for the vulnerable children and families living in Loudoun County, it simply isn’t. During 2016, SCAN will be helping agencies who serve children and families in Loudoun County to determine where gaps in services exist, explore what obstacles children and families […]
“Advocacy is giving a voice to children and families.”- Christie Marra, Virginia Poverty Law Center On Tuesday, November 17th, in partnership with Prevent Child Abuse Virginia, SCAN invited individuals from across Northern Virginia to participate in its 4th annual Stand Up for Children Advocacy Day. (#standupforchildren) Participants in this year’s training spent the morning with […]
On Tuesday over 50 professional and community members who wish to be stronger advocates for children attended SCAN’s advocacy training event, Speak Up For Children!, a partnership between SCAN and Prevent Child Abuse Virginia. Christie Marra from the Virginia Poverty Law Center gave an engaging presentation about the legislative process and how advocates can influence […]
We’re gearing up for a meeting with our local Stewards of Children authorized facilitators this September, and this blog post was going to be a quick, simple reminder that these professionals are available across Northern Virginia to give your community organizations powerful trainings in the prevention of child sexual abuse. But then our national partner in this […]
“As a Nation, we have no task more important than ensuring our children grow up healthy and safe. It is a promise we owe to the hundreds of thousands of youth in foster care – boys and girls who too often go without the love, protection, and stability of a permanent family. This month, we […]
This week we welcome Senator Barbara Favola to the blog! A longtime supporter of our issues and a SCAN Honorary Board Member, we’re thrilled that she’s giving us an important update following the end of Virginia’s legislation session last month. Dear Friends, The 2013 General Assembly legislative session ended last week and it was a whirlwind. Senate Democrats held […]
What do a local judge, a foster parent and an emergency room doctor have in common? How about a social worker and a Parks & Recreation employee? Or an attorney and a probation officer? Every one of these individuals has received an Allies in Prevention Award from SCAN and its Allies in Prevention Coalition. Over the […]
Last week we hosted a special Training for Citizen Advocates on Children’s Issues. So often at SCAN we work directly with individual children and families, but we also take time to focus on state-wide issues impacting thousands of families in our region. Along with Prevent Child Abuse Virginia, Voices for Virginia’s Children and The Commonwealth Institute we hosted elected […]
Our most recent Allies in Prevention Coalition gathering was an average, run-of-the-mill meeting for us. Twenty+ attendees? Check. Hosted at a local public building? Check. Lunch provided? Check. But the funny thing is, these meetings are anything but average. You see, the Coalition brings together local child & family advocates from across Northern Virginia on a […]
This week’s guest blogger is Mary Kudless, a longtime member of SCAN’s Board of Directors and new Board President: After several years of serving as an active Board member, I was elected by my peers to serve as President of the SCAN Board through June 30, 2013. This is a great honor and—more importantly—a responsibility to […]
Ever take one of those photos that you just can’t stop looking at? A photo that makes you feel good, energized and just plain old happy? Well, we took a whole bunch of those photos at our recent Volunteer Appreciation Party and just had to share: You see, every face above is a person making […]
This week’s post is straight from the desk of our Development Director, Karen Price. She’s been busy in recent weeks working with local businesses who’ve signed up to be Pinwheel Partners. Interested in where she’s been and why she’s carrying all of those blue pinwheels? Read on! Watching the Amazing Race contestants this week carting […]
How can legislators vote FOR legislation to increase reports of child abuse and at the same time propose a budget that CUTS funding for the programs to serve those at-risk children? Last week we blogged about talking WITH children. This week, we’re all about speaking up FOR children. Our board’s Legislative and Advocacy Committee is working […]
Last night we kicked off our new session of ABCs of Parenting classes, and we can’t think of a more beautiful picture to post this morning. This is a group of Parent Education Program volunteers who supported our last round of English and Spanish parenting classes, which resulted in 24 parents (12 from each class) […]