How did you first get involved with SCAN?

I first got involved with SCAN during my first year of medical school when a fourth-year medical student going into pediatrics residency told me about the great work the organization does and how she joined the BYP.

What has your life/work experience been that brought you to SCAN? What is your current role?

Even before medical school, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in pediatrics and have always been passionate about the wellbeing of children, so SCAN felt like a natural fit for me. I have volunteered with some of the community health clinics in the area that provide healthcare for underserved groups, which had shown me the importance of advocacy and service. Currently, I am in my fourth and last year of medical school at VCU (yay!) and am now applying to pediatrics residencies across the country. I have been a SCAN BYP member for the past three years!

What inspires you to stay involved with your work at SCAN?

Especially in my clinical rotations, I come face to face with many pediatric patients and their families who have unfortunately been affected by child abuse, and it makes the work SCAN does even more meaningful to me. Getting to know and serve children and their families at events like Holiday Shop has been one of the best experiences of my life and I hope to get involved with similar organizations wherever I end up.

Is there anything you wish other people knew about SCAN?

There are so many ways to get involved with SCAN that can fit anyone’s time commitment needs! You can do anything from attending trauma-informed training to donating items to serving as a CASA.

What has been the best experience with SCAN so far?

My absolute best experience has been helping organize Holiday Shop and see it come to life every year I’ve been involved at SCAN. I love interacting with the families that come in and my fellow BYP members. It’s such a heartwarming experience.

Do you have any goals or hopes for the next year with SCAN? Is there anything coming up/happening in your work that you are excited about or want to share?

We have our Holiday Shop, that I am actually helping plan this year, coming up this December which is always so exciting! This is unfortunately my last year with the BYP as I will be moving away for residency next July, so I’m hoping to get involved in as much as I can to really cherish this last year.

Are you involved with any other community organizations, hobbies, or activities?

I am involved in a few organizations at school such as our Pediatrics Interest Group and my hobbies include reading, cross-stitching, and baking! I also love to go on long walks and bike rides!

What might someone be surprised to learn about you?

I speak 3 languages: English, Spanish, and Konkani!

We need your help to bring the magic of the holidays to SCAN families!

Get involved by donating a gift card, holding a gift card drive, or making a donation on our website at www.grscan.com (note in comments that it's for Holiday Shop).

All donations will support SCAN's Holiday Shop! This will be an opportunity for families served by SCAN to come out for activities/ crafts and caregivers will receive a gift card donation for each child in order to provide holiday gifts. With the help of community members like you, SCAN served over 300 children through last years holiday shop. Thank you for your help to make the season special for all children served by our programs!

Reach out to Sarah Mersereau to get involved, hold a giftcard drive, or make a donation to support SCAN families this holiday season.

Gift Card Drive Happy Hour

Hosted by SCAN's Board of Young Professionals at

Parlay Bar & Lounge

November 5, 2026

4-7pm

SCAN's BYP will be collecting giftcards and donations for the

Holiday Shop at Parlay that evening.

15% of proceeds between 4pm - 7pm will be donated to SCAN

Let us know if you plan to stop by!

Individuals gathered on October 14 for the

16th annual Child Advocate's Breakfast. This

year attendees heard more about SCAN’s CASA program serving Richmond and Petersburg.

A special thank you to our speakers Jake and

Tarran and for the board members and SCAN supporters that helped make this event possible.

We are also grateful to CoStar Group for generously sponsoring the breakfast.

“When you give to SCAN you become a child advocate.”

If you were unable to attend the breakfast, but still wish to make a donation please visit our website at www.grscan.com

Welcome New CASA Volunteers

SCAN's CASA program serving Richmond and Petersburg had eight new

volunteers sworn in on October 15. We are grateful for their committment to advocating for children in our community.

If you are interested in joining them as an advocate for children, reach out to SCAN Volunteer Coordinator Pilar Ortiz Waters for more information.

You can also learn more about what is involved in being a CASA on our website at https://grscan.com/programs/casa/be-a-casa-volunteer

CASA Art Show Supply Wish List

CASA Staff and Volunteers are working on a CASA art show for Spring 2027 to highlight the talented children and youth we serve.

Help us make that possible by donating art supplies from the CASA wishlist.

Rally for SCAN attendees gathered on October 23 for a day of tennis and pickleball in support of Greater Richmond SCAN.

Thank you to all the attendees, sponsors, and committee members

for making Rally for SCAN a successful event!

A special thank you to our speakers, Jessica Moore, CASA Program Director, Roseann Salasin, SCAN CASA Volunteer, the event emcee, Zach Daniel, and all the tennis and pickleball pros. We are also grateful to Salisbury Country Club for their support in making this event possible.

SCAN's Family Support Program

25-26 Impact

SCAN's Family Support Program seeks to strengthen families and give parents the tools they need to provide healthy homes for their children. Family Support Program offers intensive, family-focused services for children and parents who have been affected by abuse or neglect.

In 25-26, SCAN's Family Support Program served 433 families.

This included:

-176 caregivers served through tertiary 20 week treatment groups held in English and Spanish

-125 caregivers served through secondary intervention groups

-44 caregivers served through primary prevention groups

-10 individuals served through FSPs new outpatient mental health therapy services

-55 served through children's groups

Results from Exit Survey Caregivers completed at the end of group:

-98% of caregivers felt they met their personal goals

-100% of caregivers felt more likely to use positive discipline after completing group

-98% of caregivers reported better understanding child development and what is normal behavior at different stages.

-98% of caregivers reported being more likely to use coping strategies that they learned in group when they feel stressed.

Quotes from caregivers at the completion of the 20 week FSP groups:

Some of the ways I nurture my child are:

“Telling them I love them every day, listening to their concerns or problems and helping them through, getting on their level age appropriately.”

The best thing about group is “learning you aren’t alone and everyone struggles in their own way.”

"This program has changed not just my perspective but also my relationship with my children. They have noticed my changes and have complimented me on how I respond to them now. I see them reacting in a more positive way to me and our home feels much more peaceful and connected."

We want you to join the 'Staches for SCAN growing team this year!

Get your office, team, or friend group involved in raising funds to support children right here in Richmond this November by joining ‘Staches for SCAN as part of the Mustaches 4 Kids Richmond growing season.

Sign up now for the 'Staches for SCAN growing team here.

Interested in learning more before signing up?

Join our virtual information session!

October 28, 2026

12noon

Register for the Info Session Here

Thank you to Sally Maruca, Nina Maruca, and Carolyn Mark for their care in knitting hats for SCAN's Circle Preschool students.

We are grateful to Sentara for their recent grant to support SCAN's Child Advocacy Center Trauma Focused Treatment services.

Thank you to Shineforth for their partnership and use of their space for trainings and events such as the recent Big Baffling Behaviors workshop with Robyn Gobbel that was attended by 80 caregviers and professionals.

SCAN Staff Retreat

SCAN staff came together this month for our yearly staff retreat. This was a special morning where staff across SCAN's five programs joined for connection, learning and reflection. We focused on recognizing and accessing our strengths, keeping ourselves "above the line" even when work and life are tough, and reflecting. A special thank you to the Otis for hosting us, Lisa Wright for providing beautiful activities, and to Maria Candler with North River Coaching for leading the retreat sessions and taking pictures.

Save the Date:

Holiday Shopping Event at The Shops at 5807

Join us for an annual holiday tradition in support of Greater Richmond SCAN!

5807 Patterson Avenue

Thursday, December 3, 2026

5-7pm



The Shops are home to about 25 different vendors who each sell their own unique goods. A one-stop shop for home decor, clothing, jewelry, stationary, and accessories galore, it is Richmond’s go-to spot for finding the perfect gift for any occasion or something special for yourself.

A portion of sales will be donated to support Greater Richmond SCAN's mission.

Upcoming Trainings & Screenings

Find the full list of upcoming SCAN trainings and register to attend HERE

November 3, 2026 | Trauma-Informed Technique Tuesday: Creating Calming Spaces  

12-12:30pm ET via Zoom

This week, we will be discussing ways to create calming spaces that can help with regulation and wellness.

November 3, 2026 | Understanding Autism & Neurodiversity in Early Childhood    

2-3pm ET via Zoom

Do you work with young children? Are you noticing an increase in children that seem to learn and behave differently? You are not alone. According to the CDC, in 2025, 1 in 31 children were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 1 in 6 have some form of neurodiversity. This training is designed to help you learn more about ASD and neurodiversity and what strategies could help.

November 4, 2026 | Impact of Trauma Exposure on Professionals

2-3:30pm ET via Zoom *CEUs Available

This training will help participants identify symptoms and warning signs of traumatic stress as well as learn the differences between three common trauma exposure responses: secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout. We will discuss strategies for responding to trauma exposure and provide resources that professionals can use to mitigate the impact of trauma exposure and improve wellness.

November 5, 2026 | Introduction to Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care

11am-1pm ET via Zoom *CEUs Available

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.

November 9, 2026 | Mindful Monday: Easy Office Stretches

12-12:30pm ET via Zoom

This week, we will be practicing some easy office stretches that go from head to toe. These are a great way to incorporate movement into your day and help your body recover after sitting for long periods of time. 

November 9, 2026 | Resilience Screening

1-2:30pm ET via Zoom 

Resilience is a one-hour documentary that delves into the science of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the birth of a new movement to treat and prevent toxic stress.

View the official trailer here.

November 10, 2026 | Trauma-Informed De-Escalation

1-3pm ET via Zoom *CEUs Available

This training will begin by providing an overview of relevant topics related to trauma-informed care that highlight the necessity of providing de-escalation in a trauma-informed way. We will then discuss verbal & non-verbal strategies for regulation and de-escalation of self and others. The training will conclude with time to practice these skills in small groups.

November 12, 2026 | Staying Steady: Managing Stress in Parenting

12-12:45pm ET via Zoom

Parenting can be overwhelming, especially when stress builds up. In this 45-minute workshop, we’ll explore how stress impacts our well-being and parenting, learn about the Window of Tolerance, and try simple tools to help us stay more calm, present, and connected with our children. This is a space for reflection, support, and practical strategies you can start using right away.

November 16, 2026 | Consent, Healthy Touch, & Boundaries 

2-3pm ET via Zoom

Understanding boundaries makes us more mindful about how we interact with children. Healthy affection and touch are key in protecting children from sexual abuse, especially when it comes from parents, caregivers, and family members. Building on the foundation laid in Stewards of Children®, Darkness to Light’s evidence-informed training helps you learn guidelines for healthy touch and how to interact with children in safe and respectful ways. We strongly recommend completing Stewards of Children® before taking this course for the best experience and understanding.

November 17, 2026 | Self-Care & Wellness

1-2:30pm ET 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.

November 19, 2026 | Trauma-Informed Supervision

12-2pm ET via Zoom *CEUs Available

This training will provide a discussion of six trauma-informed principles and how each can be applied to the practice of supervision. The principles include creating physical & psychological safety, building trust, creating collaborative and empowering spaces, utilizing peer support, and practicing humility & responsiveness. Supervisors will learn about the importance of addressing secondary traumatic stress in themselves as well as those they supervise. 

November 24, 2026 | Trauma-Informed Family Engagement

12-1:30pm ET via Zoom

In this training participants will learn what it means to engage families through a trauma informed lens. This will involve critical reflection and include thinking outside the box, beyond the traditional methods of family engagement that have been practiced within many of our school and community settings. We will discuss strategies on how to engage families, how to navigate and overcome challenging interactions with families to prevent distrust and damaging relationships. Participants can also expect to receive helpful tips on how to make meaningful home visits within their communities.

Find the full list of SCAN Trainings and register to attend HERE

 *Some of these trainings are eligible for Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) from the National Association of Social Workers. Check SCAN's training page for details.