Victoria began as a Richmond CASA Case Manager in August 2023. Richmond CASA Program Director, Jessica Moore, shared that Victoria came into this position with passion and a desire to do good work and has hit the ground running. She’s funny, intelligent, a fast learner, and very quickly and naturally integrated into our team. We are excited to see how she will grow and develop in this position!

How did you first get involved with SCAN?

I first learned about SCAN through the YWCA, during my time there as a RHART Coordinator.

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

In college, I majored in criminology with a focus in sexual violence for the majority of my research in my undergrad. After I graduated from college, I worked for UMFS (United Methodist Family Services) in their Residential Treatment Center as a Support Coach. During my time in that role, I really felt passionate about the work I was doing with and for kids. I was able to advocate for them to the best of my ability, be a consistent adult in their life, and understand trauma and how it affects children. When I left that role, I worked for the YWCA (a local Intimate partner violence agency) as their RHART Coordinator or Hospital advocate. In that position, I did not handle many cases involving children, and I felt like that was the part of my job that I was missing. I learned that I am extremely passionate about children, and so when this position opened to be a Case Manager at SCAN with CASA—I applied! I am the newest case manager to our CASA team, and I personally have a case that I am an advocate for, as well as oversee 20+ Volunteer advocates that are assigned to cases of abuse and neglect within the City of Richmond.

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

I am inspired by seeing the hard work we do have the potential to positively impact a child’s life. No, not every case goes the way we want it to. But, the CASA team tries our very best to ensure that the best interest of the child remains at the forefront. It can be very challenging work, and not everyone can do it. Someone has to try and help these children and families—I am so grateful that I get to be a part of that.

Is there anything you wish other people knew about SCAN?

I wish people knew just how much SCAN does for families, the community, and children. When I first heard of SCAN, I had no idea the vast amount of programs and resources that SCAN offers. I wish people knew more about all of the challenging work we do—in the hopes that it might get more people involved.

What has been the best experience with SCAN so far?

The best experience with SCAN so far has been my fellow team at CASA. The Richmond CASA team is so supportive of one another—which is exactly what we need in this line of work. We work as a team, help one another, and support each other through frustrating days and difficult cases. I am so grateful that they so readily accepted me into their team and gave me a sense of belonging! It can be hard to adjust to a new role and new coworkers, but they have made the transition so easy and exciting.

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

One big challenge that I have faced in my work with SCAN is seeing cases of abuse and neglect come back before the court. Sometimes, a case doesn’t end the way you want it to, and you may still have concerns about the child and their family. And one of the most disheartening experiences to have is receiving a new petition for a case that had once been closed. You just think—what if they didn’t make that decision? Or what if they hadn’t closed the case? When this happens, I just have to remind myself that we as CASA did our best to advocate for that child and that is what we need to do again. Sometimes you just have to remind yourself that you did your best and worked as hard as you could for that child.

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?

For the next year with SCAN, I hope to have a full volunteer load. I hope that we can recruit more volunteers to advocate for the children on our waitlist. So, with that, I am excited for our upcoming recruitment events and to spread the word to our community that we need CASAs!

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

My biggest hobby is reading. I read every day, and definitely spend way too much time and money in the bookstore. One of my coworker’s recently told me about a discount bookstore called 2^nd and Charles—which I highly recommend for any book lovers! I am really into fantasy/sci-fi, mysteries, and psychological thrillers. My favorite book series is called Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas—I even named my puppy after a character in the books.

What might someone be surprised to learn about you?

I have a bearded dragon named Zero! He is super sweet and loves to cuddle, look out the window, eat bell peppers, and loves to tan!

New CASA Volunteers Sworn In

Congratulations to SCAN's newest CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers! Six new Richmond advocates and one new Petersburg advocate were sworn in last week. We are so grateful for their commitment to serving children in our community!

Join our Summer CASA Training Class!

SCAN's Court Appointed Special Advocates program is currently in need of volunteers to serve children in Richmond City and Petersburg. CASA volunteers advocate for children who have been abused or neglected. They make sure the child’s needs are heard – in the community and in the courtroom – and serve as a caring, consistent adult in a child’s life. CASA volunteers are individuals from all walks of life who are willing to dedicate their time to looking out for a child’s best interests.

Applications for the Summer 2024 training class are due before June 28.

Training begins on July 8.

Find out more information and apply here

Questions? Contact Sarah-Keel Crews

Community Resilience Block Party

We are so thankful for all of the community members, partners, and volunteers that joined for the Community Resilience Block Party on May 4!

It was a truly amazing day of community building, celebrating resilience, sharing resources, and coming together.



A special thank you to Armstrong High School for letting us use

their gym so the rain wouldn't slow the event down.

A huge shout out to Kanika McBride and all the members of the TICN Community Resilience Committee for bringing the block party to life!

Greater Richmond SCAN and Trauma Informed Community Networks across Virginia celebrated the fifth annual Resilience Week Virginia on May 5-11. SCAN leads and convenes the Greater Richmond Trauma Informed Community Network and is spearheaded efforts around Resilience Week.

Greater Richmond Trauma Informed Community Network (GRTICN) members came together at Lewis Ginter botanical Gardens in celebration of Resilience Week! Members participated in a collaborative art project, coming together to create a shared art quilt around Resilience. Members also participated in an impactful workshop and discussion on Overcoming Adversity and Building Resilience led by Tamika Daniel.

SCAN Behavioral Health Community Organizer Launches Finding Me Beyond Trauma Cohort

SCAN's Behavioral Health Community Organizer, Tamika Daniel, recently led the pilot “Finding Me Beyond Trauma” train-the-trainer cohort with a goal of empowering community members to use their own lived experience and story to create their unique Trauma and Resilience workshop that can be shared at the community level, further amplifying individual and community healing and reducing stigma associated with trauma. This cohort was partially funded by Richmond Memorial Health Foundation. Five community members completed the 12 week program and are working to bring their individual Trauma and Resilience workshops to the community in the coming months.  Congratulations to all the community members who completed the cohort and to the staff that provided leadership, expertise, and guidance for the program.

SCAN Volunteer of the Year

SCAN is recognizing Anna Mooney as the 2024 Volunteer of the Year! Anna started volunteering with us this past fall and has become a dedicated member of our volunteer community. Throughout the spring, Anna has helped at our Day of Play, Progressive Dinner, and the Resilience Block Party. Her button-making machine has become a hit among all the kiddos. On top of SCAN events, Anna also completed our spring CASA training and was sworn-in on May 23rd. Soon she will pick up a case to advocate for a child involved in Richmond City juvenile and Domestic Courts. Anna is dependable, warm, and kind. She has a unique ability to connect with children and make them feel immediately comfortable. Her dedication to our programming and cause are deeply appreciated, especially among the CASA staff. Anna has been an administrative volunteer in the CASA office, which has been a huge help. Needless to say, she is amazing! Not only can she do it all, but she does it with such compassion, and always makes things fun. Anna, thank you so much for all your hard work with SCAN. 

Thank You!

Thank you to our friends at Thrive Birth to 5 for collecting art supplies and snacks for SCAN's programs!

We are also grateful to the staff and families at LeafSpring School for collecting art supplies and snacks for SCAN programs.

Thank you to the Overton and Katharine Dennis Foundation for their recent grant to support SCAN's work!

Thank you to Common House Richmond for hosting SCAN Board and Staff recently for our staff appreciation event!

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 - 9:30pm

June 28th - Sign up Here

Questions? Email our Volunteer Coordinator, Sarah-Keel Crews.

Impact of Trauma Exposure on Professionals

May 29, 2024

2:30-4:00pm 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

Self-Care and Wellness

June 6, 2024

12:00-1:30pm 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

Overcoming Adversity and Building Resilience

June 11, 2024

11:00am-1:00pm 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

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

June 12, 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 Strategies

June 13, 2024

12:00-2:00pm 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 Here

Playing for Keeps (Film Screening)

June 20, 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

Stewards of Children (In-Person)

June 25, 2024

2:00-4:30pm EST at Tuckahoe Library TU Meeting Room, 1901 Starling Dr, Henrico, VA 23229

Stewards of Children® is an evidence-informed, award-winning two and a half hour training that teaches adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Through interviews with a very diverse group of people with lived experience, 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.

Register for this in-person training Here

Introduction to Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care

June 26, 2024

2:00-4:00pm 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

The Power of Play in Parenting

July 30, 2024

12:00-1:00pm EST via Zoom

Play is the language of children and as parents we can increase our connection with children by joining them in it. Children of all ages experience greater confidence, fewer behavioral issues, and improved mental health when caregivers use the power of play in their daily interactions with them. Learn more about the importance of play and how to incorporate it in your interactions with children in this workshop.

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.