How did you first get involved with SCAN?: 

I first got involved with SCAN while serving as the Program Director for a Family Resource Center in Southside of Richmond. Because the center partnered with SCAN, I encouraged us to deepen that collaboration since so many of our families could benefit from their support. I worked closely with Kanika McBride in Community Programs and with Lucy Rimington, and together we found thoughtful ways to meet families’ needs more intentionally. I also regularly referred parents to SCAN’s Family Support Program and to the Circle Preschool Program when they needed additional trauma-informed support.

One experience that truly showed me the impact of SCAN’s work involved a parent I referred to Kanika. I had the privilege of watching this parent grow, gain confidence, and become the parent she always wanted to be. Seeing her transformation over time was incredibly meaningful, and we still stay in touch! She’s now involved with SCAN as an ambassador, using her voice to support other families.

Another impactful collaboration was the parent‑and‑child playgroup Lucy and I created on food pantry days. Families often waited outside for hours in challenging conditions, and our goal was to offer a warm, safe space where parents and children could take a break, bond, and have positive moments during a stressful day. Experiences like that showed me the heart of SCAN’s mission and the strength of true community partnership.

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

My life and work have always revolved around supporting children and families. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of serving in roles that taught me resilience, empathy, and what it truly means to walk alongside people during some of their most vulnerable moments. Many of my jobs have been high‑stress but incredibly rewarding. From coordinating emergency medical evacuations for families overseas, to serving as a Volunteer Director and later Program Director at a local nonprofit that brought children to the U.S. for lifesaving surgeries that were not available in their countries. During that time, I also coordinated and traveled with specialized surgical teams to Central America to conduct clinics for children with cardiac, orthopedic, and craniofacial needs.  

I’ve taught high school Spanish and French and worked at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond supporting children with severe craniofacial deformities who required complex surgical care. Many of the children I worked with there came through the same nonprofit pipeline I had helped build, which made the work feel deeply interconnected and meaningful. I also created a family resource center in Southside of Richmond from the ground up, an experience that solidified my desire to work with an organization that has a proven track record of truly supporting families and children.

All of those experiences, both lived and professional, prepared me for SCAN in meaningful ways. I’ve always been drawn to serving underserved and vulnerable communities, and I care deeply about helping families access resources they may not know how to find on their own.

Today, I serve as SCAN’s Volunteer Coordinator. My role is to recruit and support volunteers across SCAN’s programs, and right now my primary focus is CASA volunteers many children are waiting for an advocate. Every new volunteer represents another child who will finally have someone in their corner, and helping make those connections is something I’m truly grateful to be part of.

Is there anything you wish other people knew about SCAN?

I wish more people knew just how much SCAN does for children and families in our community. A lot of folks hear “SCAN” or “CASA” and aren’t quite sure what that is. However, once they understand them, they’re amazed by the mission and impact.

SCAN provides a wide range of services that support families, strengthen communities, and help prevent child abuse. And CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is one of the programs under SCAN. CASA volunteers are trained community members who advocate for children involved in the court system due to abuse or neglect. They make sure children’s needs and voices don’t get lost, and their involvement can change the entire course of a child’s life.

I wish more people knew how approachable and supportive SCAN is, and how truly thorough the CASA training and guidance are. You don’t need a special background to become a CASA volunteer, just compassion, commitment, and a desire to show up for children who need someone in their corner.

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

One of the biggest challenges has been simply spreading the word about the urgent need for CASA volunteers. Many people don’t know what CASA is or realize how significant an advocate can be for a child navigating the court system. When I tell people that numerous children are currently waiting for a CASA volunteer, they’re shocked and honestly, that’s the challenge: Awareness. Once people understand the role, they're usually moved by it. My job is to bridge that gap so more people see that this is work they can do and work that truly matters.

Read the full Interview with Pilar Here.



A CASA Child Needs You!

Now Recruiting for Fall CASA Training Class

A CASA Child Needs You!

SCAN currently has many children on the waitlist in need of a CASA volunteer.

Each of these children deserves to have an advocate and we need volunteers like you to help fill this critical need.

CASA Volunteers 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 advocate for a child’s best interests.

CASA strives to build a community of volunteers that reflects the diversity of the children we serve. Men, LGBTQ+ individuals and individuals who reflect the racial, ethnic, economic and linguistic diversity of Richmond City and Petersburg are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information about applying visit our CASA website or email our

Volunteer Coordinator, Pilar Ortiz-Waters.

Join the July 29 General Volunteer or CASA Info Session on Zoom through this link.

Check out the items needed for SCAN's Circle Preschool classroom and donate through their Amazon wishlist

Please note, since the items are sent directly to the preschool and we are working within a timeline to get the classrooms situated, we are asking for donations by August 14. Additionally, we are asking folks to let Kasey Johnson know if they have ordered anything, so we can try and avoid any duplicate purchases. 

26-27 Circle Preschool Program Enrollment



SCAN's Circle Preschool Program currently has limited openings for 3 year old students for the 26-27 year. Email CPP Clinical Coordinator, Jessica Brickey, with questions or for more information.

Thank you Protector's Circle Members!

The Protector’s Circle of Greater Richmond SCAN is a select group of individuals who support SCAN by making an annual gift of $1,000 or more to our child abuse prevention and treatment services.

We are very grateful to the members of our Protector’s Circle for helping us keep children safe.

Read the full list of Protector's Circle Members here.

Join Village Garden RVA for the 2026 Summer Supper Somm dinners!

There are still a few dinners remaining.

Check the links below or reach out to individua restaurants or Vineyards for ticket info.

SCAN is grateful for the ongoing support of Village Garden RVA. They have been incredible supporters over the years raising over $21,000 for SCAN's programs through previous Summer Supper Somm dinners, supporting SCAN's Progressive Dinner, and providing enriching opportunities for our Circle Preschool students to learn more about gardening and farming.

July 31 | Boar’s Head Resort | Charlottesville

August 1 | Hickory at Nicewonder Vineyards | Bristol

August 3 | Pinky’s | Richmond

August 5 | Crimson Lane Vineyards | Linden

August 7 | Barboursville Vineyards | Barboursville

August 9 | Lansdowne Resort | Leesburg

August 12 | The Roosevelt | Richmond

August 15 | Yellow Umbrella | Richmond

August 16 | Zoe’s Steak and Seafood | Virginia Beach

August 17 | Zoe’s Steak and Seafood | Virginia Beach

August 19 | Dover Hall

August 23 | Lehja | Richmond

Welcome New SCAN Board of Directors and

Board of Young Professionals Members!

SCAN Board of Directors:

Sam Dibert

Solis Winters

SCAN Board of Young Professionals:

Emma Young

Courtney Gaudet

Kushal Ismael

Mitchell Harbison

Jen Johnson

Rebecca Simon

Thank you to the Estes Foundation for their recent gift to support

SCAN's Circle Preschool Program.

We are grateful to the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond for their recent grant to support Healing and Stability for Children and Families Affected by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) through SCAN's programs.

Thank you to Kari Parkhurst and Skylar Zavsza for their generous donation of so many adorable Squishmallows, providing every child who visits our Child Advocacy Center with a cuddly companion to take home.

SCAN Annual Report Now Available Digitally

Click Here to view the full SCAN Annual Report

Upcoming Trainings & Screenings

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

July 30, 2026 | Child Development Basics (Early Childhood)

12-1pm ET via Zoom

This training will begin by providing an overview of typical developmental milestones during early childhood (birth-age 5). Next, we will explore strategies that parents, caregivers, and professionals can use to assist with child development. The training will conclude by recommending actions adults can take when they have concerns about a child's development. 

August 3, 2026 | Mindful Monday: Moving Meditation with Progressive Counting

12-12:30pm ET via Zoom

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.  

August 4, 2026 | Trauma & Attachment

11am-12:30pm ET via Zoom

This workshop explores how disruptions in early attachment—particularly within the first five years of life—can be experienced as trauma by young children. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how trauma and attachment are interconnected, and how early relational disruptions can affect a child’s emotional, social, and developmental well-being. The session will also examine the types of trauma that most commonly impact attachment, including loss, neglect, and family violence. Emphasis will be placed on strategies for supporting and strengthening the caregiver-child bond, with a focus on practical tools and approaches that professionals can use in their work with families.

August 5, 2026 | Self-Care and Wellness

10-11:30am 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 with the self and with others.

August 5, 2026 | Consent, Healthy Touch, & Boundaries

2-3pm ET via Zoom

Understanding boundaries makes us more mindful about how we interact with children. Healthy affection and touch are key in protecting children from sexual abuse, especially when it comes from parents, caregivers, and family members. Building on the foundation laid in Stewards of Children®, Darkness to Light’s evidence-informed training helps you learn guidelines for healthy touch and how to interact with children in safe and respectful ways. We strongly recommend completing Stewards of Children® before taking this course for the best experience and understanding. 

August 11, 2026 | Trauma-Informed Family Engagement

1:30-3pm ET via Zoom

In this training participants will learn what it means to engage families through a trauma informed lens. This will involve critical reflection and include thinking outside the box, beyond the traditional methods of family engagement that have been practiced within many of our school and community settings. We will discuss strategies on how to engage families, how to navigate and overcome challenging interactions with families to prevent distrust and damaging relationships. Participants can also expect to receive helpful tips on how to make meaningful home visits within their communities.

August 12, 2026 | Supporting Kids with Back-To-School Stress 

12-12:45pm ET via Zoom

This 45-minute workshop helps caregivers support children of all ages through back-to-school stress and anxiety by focusing on caregiver self-reflection, connection, and practical strategies.

August 13, 2026 | Trauma-Informed Strategies

2-4pm ET via Zoom *CEUs Available

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.

August 18, 2026 | Stewards of Children

10am-12:30pm ET in-person

Libbie Mill Library Meeting Room 2100 Libbie Lake E St. Richmond, VA 23230

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.

August 20, 2026 | Understanding Autism & Neurodiversity in Early Childhood

1-2pm ET via Zoom

Do you work with young children? Are you noticing an increase in children that seem to learn and behave differently? You are not alone. According to the CDC, in 2025, 1 in 31 children were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 1 in 6 have some form of neurodiversity. This training is designed to help you learn more about ASD and neurodiversity and what strategies could help.     

August 25, 2026 | TI Technique Tuesday: Addressing Systemic & Historical Traumas

12-12:30pm ET via Zoom

This week, we will be learning more about systemic and historical traumas. We will be watching a video on the topic created by Greater Richmond SCAN that will provide an overview of the topic as well as ways to address these types of trauma.

August 25, 2026 | Overcoming Adversity and Building Resilience

1-3pm ET via Zoom *CEUs Available

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.

August 26, 2026 | Staying Steady: Managing Stress in Parenting 

9-10am ET via Zoom

Parenting can be overwhelming, especially when stress builds up. In this 1-hour workshop, we’ll explore how stress impacts our well-being and parenting, learn about the Window of Tolerance, and try simple tools to help us stay more calm, present, and connected with our children. This is a space for reflection, support, and practical strategies you can start using right away.

August 27, 2026 | Resilience Film Screening

1-2:30pm 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.

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.