Ta’Yana Benton joined SCAN’s Child Advocacy Center as a Forensic Interviewer in 2022. We are grateful to have her expertise, experience, and dedication as part of the CAC Team.

How did you first get involved with SCAN?

My first time being involved with SCAN was in 2019 when I took ChildFirst training. ChildFirst is an intensive five day course in which students learn the necessary skills to conduct an investigative, forensic interview of a suspected victim of child abuse. SCAN staff member, Briana, is on faculty for ChildFirst. I was a CPS worker in Hopewell at the time and was encouraged to become trained to do forensic interviews due to agencies needing to have more than one person trained at the time.



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

After college I worked with a company that did intensive in home. Next I worked as a residential specialist at a Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) facility. Almost two years later I started working at Hopewell Department of Social Services as a CPS worker. After being trained with ChildFirst I knew SCAN was where I wanted to be, and I wanted to do forensic interviews solely. The opportunity presented itself in November of 2022 and I am now a full time forensic interviewer with SCAN.

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

It inspires me that at SCAN we are able to allow children the space to feel free to talk about anything without judgment.

What has been the best experience with SCAN so far?

Being able to see all the different aspects of the system from community partners to the criminal justice system work together to help families.

What are any challenges you have faced in your work with SCAN?

The only challenge I have faced with my work with SCAN at the moment is learning that victim services agencies (including CACs) are facing significant budget cuts this year at the federal and state level. It is hard to know firsthand that there are policy makers that do not understand the importance of the work we do through Child Advocacy Centers.

Do you have any goals or hopes for the next year with SCAN?

Working on doing presentations within our Multidisciplinary Teams.

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

My hobbies are cooking, spending time with family, being outside doing about anything in nature, and shopping.

What might someone be surprised to learn about you?

I am the second youngest of my 10 paternal siblings and that I am no longer in my 20’s though I look like a teenager.

Learn more about the critical services provided to children and families at CACs and about the role of a Forensic Interviewer in the below video from our partners at National Children's Alliance.

We Need Your Voices to Support Child Advocacy Centers

As mentioned in the spotlight interview above, VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) funding at the federal level has been cut significantly which could have a devastating impact on Child Advocacy Centers in Virginia (as well as other critical services for victims of crime).

Currently it is set to be cut 60% next year and cut completely the following year.

Child Advocacy Centers of Virginia (CACVA) is leading efforts at the state level to continue to fund a portion of Child Advocacy Centers.

SCAN's Child Advocacy Centers are funded through a wide variety of sources such as individual donations, special events, foundation and corporate grants, etc. However, losing VOCA funding could mean longer wait times for children and less availability of trauma-focused treatment therapy services. For many of our partner CACs across Virginia, it could mean closing their doors leaving child victims of sexual abuse and severe physical abuse without the coordinated care, advocacy, and services to heal they desperately need.

Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates on how you can help advocate for the critical services provided by SCAN's Child Advocacy Centers.

Contact Sarah Mersereau with questions or to learn more about how you can educate and advocate about the importance of SCAN's Child advocacy Centers in our community.

A Few Days Left To Buy

Blue and White Ball Tickets

Join us for the return of the Blue and White Ball.

A live band, silent auction, and delicious selection of food and drink will ensure a fantastic event, and all for a good cause.

Now Available

$85 per person

Ticket price includes one cocktail drink ticket, open beer and wine bar,

and heavy hors d'oeuvres.

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.

Can't make it to the event? You can still support by bidding on our virtual silent auction or making a donation!

New CASA Volunteers Sworn In

20 new volunteers were sworn in as part of SCAN's Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program. This included 19 volunteers in the City of Richmond and our very first Petersburg CASA volunteer! We are so grateful for their commitment to serving as a voice for children in our community!

CASA Recruitment Night This Week

Thursday, February 29

5:30pm - 8:00pm

The Veil Scott's Addition

Stop by SCAN's Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteer recruitment night at The Veil - Scott's Addition location. This is a great opportunity to connect with CASA staff and current volunteers.

We are currently recruiting volunteers to serve the City of Richmond and City of Petersburg to join our Spring 2024 training class. Learn more about what it takes to be a CASA and how you can apply on our website.

SCAN's CASA program currently has 50+ children on the waitlist in need of an advocate. You can help advocate so that every child who has experienced abuse or neglect in our community can have a safe, permanent home and the

 opportunity to thrive.

Email Sarah-Keel Crews at volunteer@grscan.com with any questions.

Support SCAN and VCU Women's Basketball!

SCAN is partnering with VCU Women's Basketball for their final home game of the season.

Please join SCAN at the Siegel Center to cheer on the Rams as the Rams host the George Mason Patriots for the final home game of the season on Saturday, March 2^nd at 1pm.

Tickets are $10 each, with $5 per ticket going towards Greater Richmond SCAN.

Click here to purchase tickets!

Honor National Child Abuse Prevention Month

this April with SCAN

You can also hold a Stewards of Children training for your organization or group. It is an impactful training for schools, sports teams, church groups, book clubs, or for anyone who interacts with or cares about children in our community.

If you are interested in bringing this FREE 2.5-hour training to your organization or group during this year’s Prevent-A-Thon, please fill out the following form so that we can contact you about scheduling a date, time, and location that is convenient for you. Virtual and in-person options are available.

Request a training here

Raise Awareness by Planting a Pinwheel Garden This April

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. During the month of April, community members use pinwheels as a visible show of support for keeping children in our community safe.

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.

Email Kasey Brach at kbrach@grscan.com to order pinwheels and learn more about planting a pinwheel garden.

Save The Date: Day of Play!

Join Greater Richmond SCAN for A Day of Play on

April 14, 2024 from 2pm - 5pm at Park 365.

More details to come!

Greater Richmond SCAN Wants to Hear from YOU!

As a part of Greater Richmond SCAN’s strategic planning and Child Advocacy Center re-accreditation processes, we are seeking feedback from members of our community. The community needs assessment survey was developed to examine the strengths and challenges recognized in this community and the information gathered will be used to identify needs and inform our programs and services. 

Please take a few moments to complete the survey before March 8 and share it with your networks so we can reach as many people as possible. Those who complete the assessment and enter their email will be entered to win a $50 Visa gift card. Thank you so much for your help!

Greater Richmond SCAN Community Needs Assessment (English)

Greater Richmond SCAN Community Needs Assessment (Spanish)

Support SCAN through the River City Half Marathon and 5k!

The upcoming Virginia Credit Union River City Half Marathon & River City 5k presents an extraordinary chance for the Richmond community to come together, lace up our shoes and log miles for a purpose.

Greater Richmond SCAN is one of the charity partners of the Virginia Credit Union River City Half and River City 5k and your involvement is crucial in raising vital funds for us. Please consider getting involved by:

• Registering for the Virginia Credit Union River City Half Marathon or 5k and making a donation to Greater Richmond SCAN when you register.

• Supporting through the SCAN fundraising page.

Interested in running/walking the event and fundraising for Greater Richmond SCAN? We can provide you with a free entry to fundraise for us. Reach out to Kasey Brach for more details.

Thank you to KEVA Style for holding a fundraiser for SCAN

earlier this month!

Stewards of Children (In-Person)

February 29, 2024

6:00-8:30pm EST In-Person at the Henrico CAC

(2006 Bremo Rd, Ste 102, Richmond, VA 23226)

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.

Sign up for this in-person training at https://forms.gle/X4C9LSRq2pFxazme8

Importance of Building Long-Lasting Relationships on the Road to Self-Sustainability

March 5, 2024

10:00-11:30am 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.

Register Here

Trauma-Informed Supervision 

March 7, 2024

9:30-11:00am EST via Zoom *CEUS available for purchase, please follow instructions at the top of the page

Trauma-informed supervision explores the role of a supervisor in supervision, how to create a psychologically safe supervisory environment, and how to identify and offer support to staff experiencing vicarious trauma.

Register Here

Introduction to Trauma & Trauma Informed Care

March 14, 2024

1:00-3:00pm 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 Here

Social and Emotional Health in Early Childhood

March 19, 2024

9:30-11:00am EST via Zoom

This training explores developmental milestones of early childhood, shares ways to build and strengthen connections between caregivers and young children, and provides strategies for addressing challenges such as temper tantrums and big behaviors typical for this age group.

Register Here

Impact of Trauma Exposure on Professionals

March 20, 2024

12:00-1:30pm 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 Here

Playing for Keeps (Film Screening)

March 26, 2024

3:00-4:30pm EST via Zoom

Playing for Keeps: The Upside of Downtime examines the value of play through a health lens. We feature high-performing individuals who prioritize play as essential to a happier life. We witness how play is a particularly powerful antidote to those subjected to stress and danger on the job, while highlighting the power of a playful approach to our daily lives, regardless of our circumstance.

Learn more about the film at https://kpjrfilms.co/playing-for-keeps/

Register Here

Self-Care and Wellness

March 28, 2024

10:00-11:30am 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.

Register 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.