Network Updates

Register for our next GRTICN meeting on Friday, December 12, 9:00am-10:30am, at Valentine Hall, St. James Michaux House, 1133 W Franklin St, Richmond. We will have a presentation on Multidisciplinary Models to Support Children’s Resilience, Development, and Mental Health from Anna McKinsey, LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) Fellow with Westhampton Family Psychologists. Hope to see you there!

New to the network or interested in a refresher? Our next quarterly GRTICN Orientation is February 4, 8:00am-9:00am on Zoom. Orientation is open to new members and anyone interested in a refresher on the network. Register on Zoom!

 

GRTICN Committee Meetings

Committees are open to all network members and there is no commitment required to participate. Join an upcoming committee meeting, and download the GRTICN Committees One-Pager for more info!

To stay informed about any meeting changes, contact the committee chair to join their listserv.


Community Resilience: January 19, 11:30am-12:30pm | Contact kmcbride@grscan.com to join

 

Early Childhood: January 15, 12:00pm-1:00pm on Zoom

 

Healthcare: January 13, 12:15pm-1:00pm | Contact lrimington@grscan.com to join

 

Legal and Courts: TBD | Contact lwright@grscan.com to join

 

Outcomes: December 9, 10:00am-11:00am on Zoom

 

Prevention and Awareness: December 15, 12:30pm-1:30pm | Contact kmcbride@grscan.com to join

 

Resources and Events

Inclusion in Early Childhood Training

This virtual training on December 5, 1:00pm-2:00pm from Early Childhood Committee member Nikida Cromartie-James will explore what inclusion means for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers and identify common barriers in homes, daycare, and preschool settings. Participants will learn practical strategies to address these barriers through family-centered practices and the creation of inclusive environments. The session will provide actionable approaches for educators, families, and leadership to support diverse families and children with a range of abilities. Register on the VAIMH website.

Power Up Parents and Fam: Supporting Safe, Healthy Connections for Loved Ones with Disabilities

The LEAP Project (Leadership for Empowerment and Abuse Prevention) at VCU's Partnership for People with Disabilities will share simple, practical ways to help your loved ones build safe, respectful relationships and recognize when something doesn't feel right. Learn how to boost their confidence, independence, and safety, while strengthening your connections. Two different dates are available to attend virtually: December 9 or 10, 12:30-1:30. View and download the flyer to learn more and register.

The Hive 100 Acts of Kindness

The Hive is providing $50 gift cards for up to 100 emerging adults in our community this holiday season, whether for gifts or necessities, no strings attached.


Requirements To Register:

  • 18-24 years old
  • Must reside in Richmond City, Henrico County, or Chesterfield County
  • Must have a reliable address to receive mail (if the young person does not have an address, you can use your organization’s address)


Register online! Deadline to register is December 7, 2025. More details can be found on the registration page.

FACT Ad Hoc Grants

Earlier this year, the FACT Board approved a total of $300,000 in ad hoc grant support for local government and non-profit organizations to improve the prevention, treatment, or public awareness of family violence in Virginia for Fiscal Year 2026. This funding is divided into two categories: training and organizational capacity support for up to $5000 per award, and service support for up to $10,000 per award. The first cycle of awards has been completed, but applications for the second cycle will be accepted beginning January 1, 2026. Visit the FACT website to learn more and apply!

Playing for Keeps Film Screening

Join Greater Richmond SCAN on December 8 from 1:00pm-2:30pm for a free virtual screening of the documentary Playing for Keeps: The Upside of Downtime, The film examines the value of play through a health lens and 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. Register on Zoom.

Upcoming Trainings & Workshops

Visit bit.ly/SCANTrainingCal to learn more!

December 2, 2025 | TI Technique Tuesday: Containment Strategies

11:00-11:30am via Zoom

December 3, 2025 | Importance of Building Long-Lasting Relationships on the Road to Self-Sustainability

10:00-11:00am via Zoom

December 3, 2025 | Stewards of Children

12:00-2:30pm via Zoom

*Use code FFVA at checkout

December 4, 2025 | Trauma-Informed Strategies

11:00am-1:00pm via Zoom

*CEUs available

December 8, 2025 | Mindful Monday: Moving Meditation with Progressive Counting

11:00-11:30am via Zoom

December 10, 2025 | Overcoming Adversity and Building Resilience

1:00-3:00pm via Zoom

*CEUs available

December 11, 2025 | Social Emotional Health in Early Childhood

12:00-1:30pm via Zoom

*CEUs available

January 6, 2026 | Supporting Kids with Back-to-School Stress

11:00am-11:45am via Zoom

January 6, 2026 | Introduction to Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care

2:00-4:00pm via Zoom

*CEUs available

Save the Date! Children, Screens, and Well-Being Forum

Join Greater Richmond SCAN on February 26, 2026 from 8:30am-3:00pm at Shineforth for a research-informed, community-focused training event exploring the impact of technology and digital media on children's development, relationships, and safety. Through presentations, interactive learning, and a multidisciplinary panel, participants will gain tools to help children and adolescents thrive in the digital world. Lunch will be included with registration, and scholarships are available. Contact kcole@grscan.com with any questions.

 

Additional Resources

 

Accessibility Starts Here: New Practical Guide

VDH has released a new Inclusion and Accessibility Guide in partnership with the Disability Law Center of Virginia and Blue Octopus Consulting. The guide is meant to support fair and consistent access for people with disabilities in all parts of daily life. For people with disabilities reading this guide, we want to give you more tools and strategies to help you advocate for yourselves. For providers working with people with disabilities, we want to make sure you understand your responsibilities so you can best serve your clients, customers and patients. View and download the full guide.

Alarming Increases to Child Poverty According to New Supplemental Poverty Measure

A new blog post from Voices for Virginia's Children explores new KIDS COUNT data using the new Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM). SPM differs from other measures of poverty, which often narrowly rely on family income, because the measure considers changes in benefits received and additional expenses over time and helps to better capture child poverty and illustrate the impacts of economic investments, like the earned income tax credit (EITC), child tax credit (CTC), supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP), etc. Read the full blog post and find the KIDS COUNT SPM Report on the Voices website.

Caring for Your Mind and Money Guide from Mental Health America

Money stress and anxiety are common, especially during the holiday season. Mental Health America's new Caring for Your Mind and Money Guide provides you with information about what money anxiety can look like; tips for managing money stress; tools for overcoming negative and spiraling thoughts; and financial resources . As you navigate this holiday season, take care of your mind and money with the tools and resources from MHA to help you feel more confident and supported. 

A Place for Parents Virtual Group

A Place for Parents is a weekly, virtual group open on Wednesdays from 10-11am on Zoom to anyone caring for children. Visit grscan.com/aplaceforparents or contact Kanika McBride at kmcbride@grscan.com for more info!

GRTICN webpage