How did you first get involved with SCAN?

I have been following SCAN ever since I moved back home to Virginia from working at a Child Advocacy Center in South Carolina. I see such value in the CAC model that I knew once I was ready to start formally working, after focusing on raising my young kids, that I wanted to be back at a CAC in some way. I have kept up with SCAN for years to track and support their efforts, and when the time felt right, I reached out and joined the team!

What is your current role?

I am a Multidisciplinary Team Facilitator for four counties with the SCAN Child Advocacy Center program. I facilitate a team in each of my localities made up of Law enforcement, Child Protective Services, the Commonwealth Attorneys, Medical staff (Bon Secours Violence Response Team and VCU Child Protective Teams), Victim Witnesses, Mental Health professionals, and our CAC Forensic Interviewers and Family Advocates. All the partner agencies meet and work together in order to review each case that comes to our CAC. As the facilitator, I track and follow the entire process while planning and leading those case review meetings. In our case reviews we discuss and make recommendations for each case, with the goal of getting the best outcome for the children and families. As Facilitators, we also create training opportunities for partner agencies, and work hard to maintain positive relationships within our teams. This also allows opportunity to work directly with each county to understand their strengths and to identify opportunities for improvement in the services and resources they are providing to those communities.

What inspires you to stay involved with SCAN?

The kids, the way in which we support the families through such a difficult process, and the difference in outcomes when we are involved.

Is there anything you wish other people knew about SCAN?

I am constantly inspired and motivated by all the passionate, and truly caring people that make up our CAC. The way they work so hard to make this such an incredible resource for so many deserving families in the ten counties we serve is energizing. I feel incredibly supported by our CAC leadership and empowered to do this work.

What has been the best experience with SCAN so far?

I track a lot of cases from start to finish and seeing how the effort from our teams play such an important role in getting the outcomes that the families and kids deserve is always so incredible. The nature of the work can take a toll, but watching so many people come together and show up for these kids and families makes it all worth it. I also have really enjoyed the genuine friendships that have developed with the people I work with.

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?

Our Facilitator team is working hard to develop meaningful and informative trainings for our partner agencies. Our goal is to create spaces where our partners feel supported and empowered in their own roles, while also cultivating positive relationships between partners to improve each team. I’m excited for our teams to continue to grow and strengthen, and to see the benefits of that in our communities and work.

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

I have a 17 hand Thoroughbred horse that I ride any chance I get. He is my therapy! I also love to go camping and exploring with my family. My kids and I are nature babies, so we enjoy being outside and loving on all sorts of animals!

What might someone be surprised to learn about you?

I have 3 kids, 2 are identical twins! My husband, kids, and I live on a small farm with ponies, goats, cats, dogs, and chickens in our yard! 

Thank you for Supporting SCAN's Holiday Shop

Every year SCAN’s Holiday Shop empowers parents and celebrates

families through the magic of the holidays. Families involved in SCAN’s programs have the opportunity to attend.



With the help of partners and supporters like you, we were able to

bring the magic of the holidays to over 250 children! This year families enjoyed crafts and activities and visited with Santa. Due to community support we were also able to offer a gift for caregivers.

Thank you to everyone that helped make this possible including ARGO Group, CoStar Group, Brown Edwards, Anna Julia Cooper School, Troutman Pepper, Connect Local, Congregation Beth Ahabah, The Richmond Christmas Mother, the many volunteers, numerous individual donors, and many more! Your support helped make the holidays magical for the children served by Greater Richmond SCAN.

A huge thank you to the SCAN Board of Young Professionals who coordinated and hosted this event for SCAN families!

Thank you Mustaches 4 Kids Richmond!

We are thrilled to share the incredible success of this year’s Mustaches 4 Kids Richmond growing season! Thanks to the dedication and generosity of the M4K Richmond community, over $1 million was raised to support local nonprofits, including $74,500 for Greater Richmond SCAN.

A special thank you to the 'Staches for SCAN team growers who donned their mustaches with pride, rallied support, and worked hard to make this year’s M4K season a success. Your efforts will make a lasting impact on children and families in our community. We are so grateful to be part of this amazing tradition and can’t wait to grow again next year!

SCAN Totally 90s Bash Tickets On Sale Now!

Presented by SCAN Board of Young Professionals

Mainline Brewery

April 26, 2025

6pm - 10pm

Dust off your butterfly clips, slap on a bracelet, and get ready to rewind the clock at SCAN's Totally 90s Bash this April during Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Celebrate with a night of nostalgia featuring a live band playing 90s hits, childhood games (think Skip-It and four square), plus your favorite 90s snacks. Attendees are encouraged to wear their best 90s gear and embrace the throwback vibes.

All proceeds benefit Greater Richmond SCAN

Find more information and purchase tickets HERE.

Make a Difference in a Child’s Life:

Become a CASA Volunteer!

Greater Richmond SCAN’s Richmond CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program is looking for dedicated volunteers to advocate for children in the foster care system. Right now, over 100 children are waiting for a CASA volunteer to

speak up for their best interests in court.

You can help ensure that every child has a voice.

No prior experience is necessary—just a passion for helping children thrive. CASA volunteers receive comprehensive training and ongoing support to make a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable youth.

Apply today and take the first step toward making a difference.

Visit www.grscan.com or contact Sarah-Keel Crews at

volunteer@grscan.com for more information.

Together, we can provide hope and stability for children in our community!

We are hugely grateful to the Shops at 5807, Kendra Scott - Short Pump, and Connect Local for holding events to support SCAN during the holiday season!

Thank you to SisterFund for their grant to support the staff and community members working on SCAN's Finding Me Beyond Trauma Cohort.

We are grateful to the Robins Foundation for their ongoing support and their recent grant to fund SCAN's Circle Preschool Program.

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

The March 8, 2025 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 you can support SCAN by choosing us when registering for the race. Find out more information here.

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 Johnson for more details.

Save The Date: April Child Abuse Prevention Month

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 Johnson at kjohnson@grscan.com to order pinwheels and learn more about planting a pinwheel garden.

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

Introduction to Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care

February 4, 2025

1:00-3:00pm ET 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. 

Stewards of Children

February 5, 2025

1:00-3:30pm ET in-person at Fairfield Area Library Meeting Room (1401 N. Laburnum Ave. Henrico, VA 23223)

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.

 Registration Link: https://forms.gle/iNNmVbhNcdekJruX7

Mindful Monday: Moving Meditation with Progressive Counting

February 10, 2025

11:00-11:30am ET via Zoom

We know that making time for mindfulness and self-care practices can be hard, so we want to provide you with an opportunity to engage in short practices with us! If you find your mind wandering during typical meditations, we invite you to try this week's moving meditation. By combining progressive counting with arm and neck movements, this meditation will keep your brain and body focused on the present moment.

Resilience (Film Screening)

February 12, 2025

3:00-4:30pm 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.

Trauma-Informed Strategies

February 13, 2025

11:00am-1:00pm ET 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.

Trauma-Informed Technique Tuesday: Brief Introduction to Internal Family Systems 

February 18, 2025

12:00-12:30pm ET via Zoom

We’ve designed these sessions to provide quick overviews of different trauma-informed tools and techniques that you can implement personally or with clients. This week, we will introduce Internal Family Systems as a trauma-informed tool to help individuals understand and heal their internal systems. IFS can empower individuals to reconnect with their authentic self as well as promote healing and emotional well-being.           

Social and Emotional Health in Early Childhood Development

February 20, 2025

12:00-1:30pm ET 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.

Registration

Mindful Monday: Incorporating Mindfulness into the Workday

February 24, 2025

12:00-12:30pm ET via Zoom

We know that making time for mindfulness and self-care practices can be hard, so we want to provide you with an opportunity to engage in short practices with us! This week, we'll discuss how incorporating mindfulness into your workday can significantly improve focus, reduce stress, enhance emotional regulation, and increase overall productivity. We'll provide some practical tips for integrating mindfulness into your daily work routine.      

February 24, 2025 | Self-Care & Wellness 

1:30-3:00pm 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

Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vc-ihrj0pHNZwvK-WJ2GFx42cvud8PTJV

Overcoming Adversity and Building Resilience

February 27, 2025

10:00am-12:00pm ET 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.

Playing for Keeps (film screening)

March 4, 2025

12:00-1:30pm ET 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.

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.