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Claudia Perez Shares Expertise and Compassion with SCAN's Family Support Program
Claudia Perez has been working with SCAN's Family Support Program for over 15 years. She has run caregiver support groups for Spanish Speaking families and caregivers in recovery and provides support and case management for families. Her expertise, experience, and dedication has been invaluable for SCAN and families across our community.

How did you first get involved with SCAN?
I got involved with SCAN in 2007. I came across an advertisement for a part-time position. SCAN was looking for someone who would work with Hispanic Parents' facilitating groups. At that time, I had a toddler and an infant, and I realized the importance of these classes for Hispanic parents (even for my husband and me). I was not solely considering the parenting aspect of the job, but also, I could help in the acculturation process, being from another country myself. 
 
What has your life/work experience been that brought you to SCAN?
As an immigrant, I understand the importance of having a positive support system for parenting in a foreign country. There are significant differences in cultures and traditions between the Hispanic community and the people of the USA in raising children. Years later, I began facilitating groups with Mothers in recovery from substance use disorder, and The Family Support Program's influence is remarkable. It has been part of the success mothers have in their recovery life. 
 
What inspires you to stay involved with SCAN?
Witnessing changes in parent's attitudes, they feel understood, non-judged, and validated. I realize that barriers are reduced when psychoeducational groups are delivered with factual information and cultural sensitivity. Also, the curriculum is designed for specific needs and can be taught in Spanish at the same level as the non-Spanish speaking classes. 
 
Is there anything you wish other people knew about SCAN?
SCAN offers services to the community with excellence and compassion. The Trauma-informed staff and specialty groups reach out to the Greater Richmond Area, influencing diverse populations. Their services address demographic differences to support parents, which is a crucial duty for society. 
 
What has been the best experience with SCAN so far?
It has been great in every possible way. Leadership is supportive and passionate about the cause. As a mental health professional, I have felt valued in an environment that operates using the best evidence-based practices. On the other hand, seeing the progress of my clients, the way they grow in knowledge related to parenting content, and their own emotional process is gratifying. 
 
Do you have any goals or hopes for the next year?
Being able to have more Individual counseling for Parents. Especially underserved populations like Spanish-speaking parents.
 
Are you involved with any other community organizations, hobbies, or activities?
I am a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor at a Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient. I love cooking, traveling, and spending time with my family. One of my favorite hobbies is growing indoor plants, which I compare with the power of nurturing. Each plant looks different and has different needs to develop healthily.
 
What might someone be surprised to learn about you?
After 22 years of receiving my degree as a Psychologist in Colombia, S.A., I returned to school and am about to graduate with a Clinical Mental Health Master's degree from Liberty University. I have done my practicum and Internship hours at SCAN and will soon start my residency for my LPC. 
 
Is there anything I didn't ask that you wish I had?
​My favorite food is Colombian food 😊
Impact of Bilingual, Bicultural Trauma Focused Treatment Therapist at SCAN
Lorena Brennan Castro joined the CAC Trauma Focused Treatment team in 2022 as a bilingual, bicultural Trauma Focused Treatment therapist through a grant from Virginia Health Care Foundation. Over the past year she has expanded behavioral health services to Spanish-speaking families who have experienced child sexual abuse or severe physical abuse, including human trafficking and witness to violence.

During this time, she has provided Trauma-Focused Treatment services for 27 children and teens through trauma-focused treatment services. She utilizes an integrated, phase-oriented approach drawing from evidence-based models: Child Centered Play Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Child and Family Traumatic Stress Intervention Model, as well as an evidence-informed model, Trauma-Focused Integrated Play Therapy. She is currently participating in a 6-month bilingual training program in Theraplay, an additional evidence-based child and family therapy model.

She also often provides case management services for families, as many systems and providers are not set up for Spanish-Speaking caregivers or families. Additionally, Lorena is able to provide culturally sensitive support for these families who often have another layer of trauma from a journey to the United States or an extended separation between the child and caregiver.

In addition to the traumatic impact of the abuse that brings these clients to treatment, many Spanish-speaking families, particularly first-generation immigrants, face challenges such as language limitations, xenophobic discrimination, confusing legal proceedings, low access to community resources, and acculturative stress. One family sought assistance with enrollment in enriching summer programs for their child because the caregiver’s English was too limited to complete the application process and ask questions. Another family faced discrimination in their community while trying to engage in exercise and sought emotional support from Lorena following the hurtful incident. A few other families have demonstrated interest in adult ESL programs and have received information and referrals to local Spanish-speaking agencies.

SCAN is grateful for Lorena’s ongoing dedication, passion and expertise over the past year to expand access to services for Spanish-speaking families in our community. We are also thankful for Virginia Health Care Foundation’s support, which has made this transformational project possible.
SCAN Volunteer of the Year
Congratulations to SCAN Volunteer of the Year, Cathy Vrentas! This award is given out annually in recognition of a volunteer who we want to honor for what they have given and done to support our mission of protecting children and strengthening families. 

Cathy has been a dedicated Richmond CASA volunteer since 2020 and is currently on her 5th CASA case. She has also volunteered at numerous big events in recent years. She regularly signs up to help with weekend events for SCAN, while also carrying a CASA case. Cathy has served as a tabler, done registration at both the Blue & White Ball and Progressive Dinner, assisted at Adoption Day, and helped at Friday Cheers. She is incredibly dependable, and we appreciate being able to rely on her with CASA cases and in other volunteer capacities.

Thank you, Cathy, for your continued service and support of SCAN!
SCAN Volunteer Orientation
Volunteering is a great way to get involved and make a difference at Greater Richmond SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now). We have a variety of volunteer opportunities available depending on interest and availability.

Learn more by signing up to attend our new Volunteer Orientation on June 8 from 6:00-7:30pm. Reach out to Sarah-Keel Crews with any questions.

The first Community Resilience Block Party hosted by the Community Resilience Committee of the Greater Richmond Trauma Informed Community Network (GRTICN) on May 6 was a wonderful afternoon of celebrating resilience, community, health, and fun!

A huge thank you to United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg and EveryDay Strong for their role in making the event a success. We are also grateful to Kroger for supplying funds and food for the event. A special thank you to Destiny Community Church for your kindness and space for this community event.

Thank you to all the vendors and volunteers who made this event possible and to the wonderful committee members for pulling everything together!
Volunteer with SCAN at Friday Cheers
Support SCAN by helping to work the beverage trucks at Friday Cheers on Browns Island! Venture Richmond will make a donation to SCAN for each volunteer that signs up. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old.

Friday Cheers
5:45pm - 9:00pm
June 2nd - Sign up Here
June 16th - Sign up Here

Tightrope Documentary Featuring
Circle Preschool Program
The full 2020 documentary film, Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope, from Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn is now available to watch on YouTube. The documentary features SCAN's Circle Preschool Program and highlights the experience of one child and family from our program. SCAN's portion of the film begins about one hour and 30 minutes into the documentary.

Upcoming Trainings & Screenings
Trauma-Informed Strategies
June 8, 2023
12 Noon-2 pm EST via Zoom 
This training will provide a brief review of trauma and its impacts as well as introduce the 6 Principles of a Trauma-Informed Approach. Using these principles, participants will learn strategies for creating physical & psychological safety, developing collaborative & supportive relationships, empowering others through voice & choice, and addressing systems of oppression.
Register at bit.ly/TISJune

The Importance of Building Long-Lasting Relationships on the
Road to Self Sustainability
June 14, 2023
10-11:30 am EST via Zoom 
Join Greater Richmond SCAN's Behavioral Health Community Organizer, Tamika Daniel, for an interactive conversation based on her life experience with building the types of relationships that are supportive in accomplishing goals. The conversation will include challenges and barriers to supportive relationships and offer ways to overcome these.

Self-Care & Wellness
June 21, 2023
10:00-11:30 am EST via Zoom 
This training will help participants develop an understanding of how stress and trauma affect our state of well-being. We will explore wellness and self-care practices and tools that help promote emotional regulation, compassion, empathy, and calm in our environments. In addition, we will examine ways to create healthy boundaries to establish safe and positive relationships with the self and with others.

Introduction to Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care
June 27, 2023
1:00-3:00 pm EST via Zoom 
This training provides a foundational learning experience around the topics of trauma and trauma-informed care. We will define trauma, discuss the many types of trauma/adversity, explore the impact of trauma on the brain and behavior, introduce resilience, and discuss SAMHSA’s 4 Rs of trauma-informed care. Throughout the presentation, we will share useful tools and techniques.

Stewards of Children (In-Person)
June 28, 2023 |
6:00-8:00 pm at the Henrico CAC (1006 Bremo Road Suite 102)
Stewards of Children® is an evidence-informed, award-winning training that teaches adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Through interviews with child sexual abuse survivors, experts, and treatment providers, Stewards of Children® teaches adults practical actions they can take to reduce instances of child sexual abuse in their organizations, families, and communities.

**Some of these trainings qualify for continuing education credits National Association of Social Workers Virginia chapter. See individual registration link for details.
SCAN's Child Advocacy Centers and Family Support Program children's groups are in need of snack donations. Snacks are offered to children who arrive at our Child Advocacy Centers for forensic interviews, families advocacy services, and trauma-focused treatment therapy and to children who attend Family Support Program children's groups with their caregivers.

Contact SCAN at 804-25-7226 to coordinate a snack donation drop off or send a donation directly through our Amazon Wishlist.

Thank you for your support!
Protect a Child today with a gift to SCAN's Annual Fund.
Greater Richmond SCAN | 804-257-7226 | www.grscan.com