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Joey Feldman Serves as Prevention Training Coordinator
How did you first get involved with SCAN? 
I was in a Zoom meeting hosted by the Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy & Practice and heard Melissa McGinn talking about the Virginia Trauma-Informed Community Networks and was very impressed with the work happening in Virginia. I was job searching at the time, so I reached out to Melissa to see if Greater Richmond SCAN was hiring. She told me about a couple positions that would be opening up soon, so I applied and got the job! I moved from Indiana to Richmond in 2021 to begin working as a Trauma-Informed Education Specialist partnering with Henrico County Public Schools. 
 
What has your life/work experience been that brought you to SCAN? What is your current role? 
After earning my Bachelor’s degree in 2006, I began working at a residential treatment facility for youth. I’ve always loved kids, but this position helped to solidify that I was ready to take that love of kids to the next level. I went through foster parenting classes at the agency I was working for, and when I left my job to pursue my Master’s degree, my first foster son came to live with me. The combination of my education in Social Work and my experience as a foster parent really heightened my interest in learning all I could about trauma. My subsequent role as a school-based therapist as well as my own experience with my sons in the public education system led to a more focused interest in trauma-informed education. Once my sons graduated from high school, I decided to go back to school again to pursue a PhD in Urban Education with a focus on trauma-informed schools. When I heard about the Trauma-Informed Education Specialist position with SCAN, it seemed like a perfect fit! In the Fall of 2022, I was able to transition into my current role as the Prevention Training Coordinator.
 
What inspires you to stay involved with your work at SCAN? 
One of the things I love most about my position with SCAN is that I am able to help spread awareness and information about trauma-informed and healing-centered approaches that will help adults be able to better support the children in their lives. We are working to expand the reach of our trainings and in the past 4 months, we have had participants from all around the state of Virginia, 35 other states, and 4 other countries! We have also started offering continuing education credits for some of our trainings in order to better ensure that licensed professionals working in the field have access to inexpensive opportunities to stay informed about trauma and resilience. This work brings me a great sense of pride and accomplishment which helps me to stay inspired and motivated.
 
Is there anything you wish other people knew about SCAN?
I wish more people knew about all of the free training opportunities that we provide! We are working to improve our advertisement strategies in order to expand our reach. Two things we have recently added that help to keep folks informed about our upcoming trainings are a new training website and a training email list (bit.ly/SCANTrainings) We hope you will join us for a training soon!
 
What has been the best experience with SCAN so far? 
My best experience with SCAN has been the support I’ve received from co-workers. My team in Community Programs is amazing! I have felt like part of a team from day one and I know that if I need anything, my team is there to listen, support, encourage, and challenge me to be my best.
 
What are any challenges you have faced in your work with SCAN? 
The biggest challenge I have faced has been working with the bureaucracy of outside systems. There have been times that I have not been able to do the things I think are most meaningful or important because there is too much red tape to navigate.
 
Do you have any goals or hopes for the next year with SCAN? 
My goal is to continue to build out our training program by offering regular trainings and events to the community. In addition to this, we are also working to create a series of short e-learning modules on topics related to trauma and resilience that we hope to finish in the next year.
 
Are you involved with any other community organizations, hobbies, or activities? 
Since moving to Richmond, I have participated in a couple bowling leagues and have also been involved with other activities through Stonewall Sports (kickball, bowling, adventure club). In my free time, I love gardening, traveling, hiking, and playing board games.
 
What might someone be surprised to learn about you? 
I am a grandpa! Since I began fostering older children at a young age, I became a grandpa at 34. People always seem surprised when I mention this.
Blue & White Ball THIS Saturday 3/4!
SCAN's Blue and White Ball
A Night of Masquerade
March 4, 2023
7pm - 11pm
The Bolling Haxall House

The Blue and White Ball is back! Join us for an evening of dancing, drinks, food, and fun. A live band, silent auction, and delicious selection of food and drink will ensure a fantastic event, and all for a good cause.

All proceeds benefit SCAN's mission to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect throughout the Greater Richmond area by protecting children, promoting positive parenting, strengthening families and creating a community that values and cares for its children.
Thank you M4KRichmond!
A huge thank you to Mustaches 4 Kids Richmond and their continued commitment to the children and families served by SCAN! This amazing group raised over $850,000 for children's charities in Richmond this year including a $75,000 donation to SCAN. We are so grateful for their passion and hard work to make our community better for children!
Congratulations New CASA Volunteers!
Richmond CASA's newest class of volunteers were sworn in earlier this month. Congratulations to these incredible new advocates. We are thankful for your dedication and work on behalf of children in our community.

Learn more about being a CASA volunteer here.
The Buidling Resilient Communities Conference will be held virtually during the fourth annual Resilience Week Virginia on Thursday, May 4, 2023. The conference is sponsored and hosted by Greater Richmond SCAN with the support of Virginia's Trauma Informed Networks. It will highlight and celebrate the networks.
Upcoming Trainings
The Importance of Building Long-Lasting Relationships on the Road to Self-Sustainability
March 2, 2023
10:00-11:30 am EST in-person at the Fairfield Area Library
1401 N Laburnum Ave, Richmond, VA 23223
Join Greater Richmond SCAN's Behavioral Health Community Organizer, Tamika Daniel, for an interactive conversation based on her own life experience.
 
Introduction to Trauma & Trauma-Informed Care
March 7, 2023
1-3 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.
Register at bit.ly/MarTTIC
 
EveryDay Strong
March 14, 2023
11:00 am- Noon EST in-person at the Petersburg Public Library
Petersburg Public Library, 201 W. Washington Street, Petersburg, VA
EveryDay Strong equips caring adults with training and tools to support the mental health and wellness of children, aged 8 to 18. The program promotes a simple, research-based framework that any caring adults can use to help build a sense of safety, connection and confidence in young people.
Register at bit.ly/Everyday314
 
Impact of Trauma Exposure on Professionals
March 16, 2023
12:00-1:30 pm EST via Zoom
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.
Register at bit.ly/MarImpact
 
Trauma-Informed Strategies
March 22, 2023
3-5 pm EST via Zoom
*CEUs Available for Purchase. See instructions at top of page.
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 principals, 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/322Strat
This training has been approved by the National Association of Social Workers – Virginia Chapter for 2 Category I Continuing Education Contact Hours (Approval code: 230322SCAN)
 
Stewards of Children (In-Person)
 March 30, 2023
6:00-8:00 pm at the Richmond YWCA (6 N. Fifth St. Richmond, VA) 
*CEUs Available for Free
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.
**This training is approved for 2 CE credits through the National Association of Social Workers.
The CE credits for this in-person Stewards of Children training are free and can be registered for through the link below.
SCAN's Child Advocacy Centers 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.

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!
Save The Date
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month!
Consider planting a pinwheel garden this April!

The pinwheel is a happy, uplifting symbol of childhood and can be used in a number of ways to draw attention to the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

Pinwheels are the national symbol for child abuse prevention and the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign focuses on positive efforts to ensure that all children have the safe, stable, nurturing families they deserve. 

Contact Kasey Brach about planting your April pinwheel garden today!
Host a Stewards of Children Training this April with your organization, business, church, sports league or neighborhood!

Stewards of Children is an internationally recognized revolutionary training that educates adults about how to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.

This program was created by Darkness to Light (www.d2l.org). Stewards of Children is ideal for parents, staff and volunteers in youth-serving organizations and concerned community members. SCAN believes it’s the responsibility of adults to prevent child sexual abuse. Stewards of Children gives everyone the tools to do this.

Contact Kendall Cole to learn more or schedule a training.
Protect a Child today with a gift to SCAN's Annual Fund.
Greater Richmond SCAN | 804-257-7226 | www.grscan.com