How did you first get involved with SCAN? 

I first got involved with SCAN in 2021 when I heard about their Young Professional's Board through a coworker. As I learned about SCAN and all they do for the community, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I've been on the BYP ever since!

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

I am currently a Certified Public Accountant for Brown Edwards & Company, LLP. I started this job and moved to Richmond right out of college where I quickly learned about SCAN and got involved!

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

The people! All of the staff are so helpful and easy to work with. I also work with some amazing young professionals and I love all the ideas and work we're able to accomplish.

What has been the best experience with SCAN so far? 

I loved helping with Holiday Shop last year. From prepping the gift cards to decorating the venue it is such a fun, fulfilling event.

I'm so excited for the Holiday Shop this year and the awesome impact it has on the SCAN clients! It is going to be such a fun event and we greatly appreciate any time or monetary donations the SCAN community is willing to give!

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

I joined SCAN's BYP during COVID so it was a little difficult to get to know everyone at first but now that we are able to meet and do events in person, it is so much easier to be involved.

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

I hope to continue to grow a more involved BYP and support SCAN in any way possible.

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

I love trying new restaurants in Richmond. My favorite places to hang out are at the park or my amazing gym (River City Fit).

Your Help is Needed to Bring

Holiday Magic to SCAN Families!

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!

Contact Kasey Brach with questions or to coordinate a donation or giftcard drive.

You can also support Holiday Shop by stopping by our Holiday Shop Happy Hour at Ardent Craft Ales on November 8. This event will be hosted by SCAN's Board of Young Professionals. Bring a giftcard or make a donation at the event that will help make the holidays brighter for SCAN families.

Learn more and invite your friends here.

CAC TFT Therapist Brings Theraplay to

Spanish Speaking Families at SCAN's CACs

In June 2023 Lorena Brennan Castro, the CAC Bilingual Child and Family Therapist, completed a six-month Bilingual Theraplay Module Series led by The Theraplay Institute. The series is offered to bilingual (English/Spanish) clinicians and provides a rich cultural experience for clinicians to expand their understanding of both Spanish and English terms and concepts related to Theraplay play therapy, attachment, and trauma. This cohort also developed close connections about their experiences as bilingual and/or bicultural clinicians and the common strengths and challenges identified through working with a bilingual population.

The series was led virtually by Certified Theraplay Therapist, supervisor and Trainer, Glenda Z. Villamarín, MA, LCP, and discussions flowed freely between English and Spanish. The training covered the six modules of Level I Theraplay: Theraplay theory and play therapy concepts; trauma, shame, and resilience in Theraplay; administrating, scoring, and providing caregiver feedback for the Marschak Interaction Method evaluation (MIM); the role of the caregiver and how to collaborate with caregivers in Theraplay; treatment planning; using Theraplay in telehealth; and role-play of Theraplay activities with other training participants. In June, Lorena traveled to The Theraplay Institute in Chicago to complete the final module of the series alongside the other cohort participants. This in-person reunion allowed the clinicians to immerse themselves in the Theraplay experience and explore the application of Theraplay concepts and activities with real-life case examples.

Since completing the training, Lorena has introduced Theraplay activities to her families demonstrating a need for safe attachment work. Lorena has discovered that Theraplay can be an excellent intervention option for children whose relationship to their non-offending primary caregiver has been impacted by their traumatic experience(s). Each Theraplay-focused session offers families the opportunity to engage in positive interactions, connect safely, receive and provide nurturance, and develop skills to support a child’s need for healthy structure.

A special thank you to Virginia Health Care Foundation for their support to make this work possible!

SCAN Save The Dates

Holiday Shopping Event at

the Shops at 5807

December 6, 2023

A portion of sales during this event

will support SCAN.

Page Bond Gallery GOOD WILL show

Opening Reception

December 7, 2023 from 5pm - 7pm

A portion of the proceeds from

this show will support SCAN.

Holiday Open House

Shopping, Snacks and Drinks

December 16, 2023

More details to come.

 A portion of all sales will be donated to SCAN.

SCAN's Blue and White Ball

Hosted by the Board of Young Professionals

March 2, 2024

More details and ticket information coming soon!

Thank you to everyone who attended the Child Advocate's Breakfast on October 4. A special thank you to our speakers who helped highlight the work of SCAN's Circle Preschool Program!

Donations made during the breakfast will help provide critical funds to allow children to attend SCAN's therapeutic Circle Preschool Program.

Join SCAN's M4K Team of Growers!

Join our 'Staches for SCAN team to help support children in our

community this November!

Each November, the men of M4K Richmond undertake the honorable burden of looking incredible and growing mustaches to raise money for children's charities in Richmond. Last year, M4K Richmond raised over $875,000, with $75,000 going to SCAN alone.

M4K has been supporting SCAN for over 10 years and now is the time to get in on the fun for the 2023 growing season.

Scared to grow a 'stache yourself?

You can also donate to the SCAN team here.

Community Comes Together to Rally for SCAN

Rally for SCAN attendees gathered on October 13 for morning tennis followed by a luncheon and afternoon pickleball followed by a cocktail reception.

Thank you to all the attendees, sponsors and committee members for making Rally for SCAN a successful event! A special thank you to our speaker, Dr. Robin Foster, the event emcee, Zach Daniel, and all the tennis and pickle ball pros. We are also grateful to Salisbury Country Club for their support in making this event possible.

A huge thank you to the Jackson Foundation for their recent grant to support SCAN's Trauma Informed Treatment Services through the Child Advocacy Centers and Family Support Program.

Thank you to TowneBank for their recent gift to support SCAN's work.

We are so grateful to Hardywood Park Craft Brewery - West Creek for hosting Trunk or Treat to benefit Greater Richmond SCAN last week!

Thank you to Joelle and Niche Pilates Studio for raising funds for SCAN through a special fundraiser class!

We are grateful to the employees at UNOS for recently voting to donate funds to Greater Richmond SCAN to support children and families in our community.

Thank you to the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Outreach Committee for their recent grant to support Greater Richmond SCAN.

Applications Open for Winter 2024

Richmond CASA Training Class

Richmond CASA currently has 45 children involved in cases of abuse or neglect on our waitlist without an advocate. We are now accepting applications for the Winter 2024 Richmond CASA training class. Could you be a child's voice?

Join us for a CASA information session to learn more about the role.

November 14

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Click here to learn more and sign up to attend.

Richmond CASA Volunteer, Roseann Salasin, and Richmond CASA Program Director, Jessica Moore, recently spoke with WTVR CBS 6 News about the need for CASAs, their experience, and the role of a CASA in a child's life.

View the full interview and story to learn more about how you can get involved in the Winter 2024 training class and make a difference for a child.

Village Garden's 3rd Annual Red Hot Jubilee is coming up on November 4 and just a few tickets remain. This event will benefit Greater Richmond SCAN and The Holli Fund.

Learn more and purchase tickets here

Mandated Reporting & Child Safety

November 1, 2023

3:00-4:30pm EST via Zoom

This training provides participants with an overview of mandated reporting laws in Virginia. It will help you identify signs and symptoms to look out for that may indicate abuse and/or neglect. This training will also walk you through the steps you need to take when abuse is discovered, disclosed, or suspected.

Register Here

Impact of Trauma Exposure on Professionals

November 3, 2023

2:00-3:30pm 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

Are You Ready For SCHOOL? Part 2

November 8, 2023

6:00-7:30pm EST via Zoom

In part 2 of the SCHOOL series we will explore helping students to regulate. The training will focus on the 4 Rs of Trauma-Informed Care, define and discuss the importance of co-regulation, and offer Trauma-Informed Strategies for using in the classroom. 

You do not have to have attended part 1 to participate and benefit from part 2.

Register Here

Overcoming Adversity & Building Resilience

November 14, 2023

2:00-4:00pm EST via Zoom

This training will provide a brief review of trauma and its impacts as well as introduce the 7 Cs of building resilience. Participants will learn about adverse and positive childhood experiences as well as strategies for building individual and community resilience.

Register Here

**Some of these trainings qualify for continuing education credits National Association of Social Workers Virginia chapter. See individual registration link for details.

Introduction to Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care

November 16, 2023

12:00-2:00pm 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

Resilience Screening

November 30, 2023

10:00-11:30am EST 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.

Register Here