SCAN 2023 Summer Newsletter
Hear from our Executive Director, look back on 35 years, and hear how we're bringing international expertise to NOVA.
NOVA family courts in need of more bilingual volunteer child advocates
Watch our interview with DC News Now on abuse trends, our CASA program, and a call for volunteers as cases increase.
SCAN on DC News Now | April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
We sat down with DC News Now to discuss Child Abuse Prevention Month and ways you can make a difference this April.
Spotlight in The Zebra: April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
“By raising awareness about the importance of preventing child abuse, we can build a community of people who are paying attention to children,” said Emily Robinson, director of communications and public awareness for SCAN of Northern Virginia. “Awareness also builds resilience for survivors who may have been victims of child abuse in the past. We want people to know that if you are a child abuse survivor, you’re not broken. There are resources available to move forward.”
CASA Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Alex Sadler
Each month, we're spotlighting the incredible volunteers that make our mission a reality. This month, meet Alex: a Tenant Engagement Manager spreading awareness of SCAN's mission and work.
CASA Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Cristina Blough
Each month, we're spotlighting the incredible volunteers that make our mission a reality. This month, meet Cristina: a first-generation Hispanic American connecting with teens in foster care.
CASA Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Olivia Pacheco
Each month, we're spotlighting the incredible volunteers that make our mission a reality. This month, meet Olivia: a SCAN CASA volunteer that just joined our team as a CASA Case Supervisor!
2022, a year in review
2022 was an incredible year for child abuse prevention. Check out highlights from this year and the extraordinary things our supporters have allowed us to do.
SCAN 2022 Fall Newsletter
The 2021 Fall edition of the SCAN Newsletter has arrived! The pandemic challenged us when our methods were limited, but these challenging times have brought us new and innovative solutions. Please join us on this journey to prevent child abuse and change the very communities we live in.
Quiet Waters Podcast—“Are You or Your Place of Business Trauma-Informed?” with SCAN’s Laurie Tasharski
Join Dr. Suzanne Nixon of Loudoun County in a conversational interview with Laurie Tasharski, M.Ed., a seasoned trauma expert, and learn about the cutting-edge trend for community organizations, educational institutions and places of business to become “trauma-informed”.
Loudoun’s Trauma-Informed Community Network Responds to School-based Peer Sexual Abuse
We are all responsible for keeping children safe in our community. In the wake of the recent peer sexual assaults, the Loudoun County Trauma-Informed Community Network (TICN), stands with community members seeking transparent processes that prioritize the privacy and recovery of children who experience sexual abuse.
SCAN 2021 Fall Newsletter
The 2021 Fall edition of the SCAN Newsletter has arrived! The pandemic challenged us when our methods were limited, but these challenging times have brought us new and innovative solutions. Please join us on this journey to prevent child abuse and change the very communities we live in.
Washington Post Opinion: In Northern Virginia, we’re working hard to prevent child sex abuse
Leah Fraley is executive director of Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) of Northern Virginia, a regionwide organization focused solely on preventing child abuse and neglect across Northern Virginia. In the past few weeks, and for the past four years, Americans have watched the Larry Nassar-USA Gymnastics case unfold in the headlines. Hundreds of victims have accused […]
FOX DC: SCAN calls for action on institutional abuse following gymnastics testimonies
SCAN's new Institutional Abuse Prevention program, aims at preventing abuse in youth-serving organizations, like USA Gymnastics. "We’re tired of excuses because we know how we can do better," Program Director Laurie Tasharski told Fox 5 Monday. "If you have a reputation that you won’t harm, that you’re above reproach, you’re actually more likely to have a situation where a child can be harmed in your care."
Statement on Institutional Abuse in Response to Sexual Offenses of Larry Nassar
The failures of both USA Gymnastics and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to appropriately address the sexual offenses of Larry Nassar enabled his crimes. This is institutional abuse, and it is not a new story. Organizations routinely side with employees and people in positions of power over the allegations of children, prioritizing their reputation over the safety of the children in their care.
Support letter: Guaranteed Basic Income in Alexandria
Dear Alexandria City Council, SCAN of Northern Virginia stands with dozens of other community organizations in support of the Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) Pilot you can fund on July 6th. We have seen firsthand how the pandemic has rocked Alexandria’s families. GBI would bring a just moral recovery in the wake of the public health […]
SCAN receives national grant to improve ability to support Alexandria’s vulnerable youth
SCAN is awarded a $11,865 Loyola Children’s Law and Policy Executive Program Grant from the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children.
Serving the Underserved through Court Appointed Special Advocates with Darcy Hubbard
Hear our friends at Fairfax County CASA discuss the life changing work a committed volunteer can make in a child's life who has been passed through the system.
Advocating for At-Risk Kids During a Pandemic
Volunteers with the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program have gotten creative.
SCAN to Host Toiletry Drive for Older Youth in Care
February 14, 2019—During the months of February and March, SCAN of Northern Virginia is accepting donations of toiletry items for local teens and older youth in the foster care system. Gift cards and donations are also welcome in support of the drive. (Download a Wish List for the drive here.) “For older youth and teens […]
SCAN Hosts 7th Annual Advocacy Training
November 30, 2018–SCAN held its 7th Annual “Speak Up for Children” Training for Advocates in Virginia on Friday November 30th fat the South County Government Center in Alexandria. More than 50 guests attended. The day began with an “Advocacy 101” training from Johanna Schuchert, Co-Founder and former Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Virginia. This […]
The Reality of Family Separation: Children, Trauma, and What We Do Next
As a leader in the prevention of child abuse and neglect in Northern Virginia, SCAN is dedicated to educating the community about the scope, nature, and consequences of child abuse and neglect. The separation of immigrant parents from their children after they have crossed the U.S. border “is a form of child abuse,” said Dr. […]
What Does it Mean to Be a Trauma Informed Organization?
Have you explored our trauma informed care resources for parents? You’ve heard us talk about this topic from a direct child services perspective (see our blog post here), as well as an advocacy perspective (such as this blog we re-posted from Voices for Virginia’s Children) as it relates to legislation. But how do we change whole organizations to better […]
It’s Crossover Time: Trauma, Foster Care and other Legislative Updates
It’s “crossover” week in the General Assembly — a time of transition when the Senate and House of Delegates exchange bills for review in the opposite house. Voices for Virginia’s Children has shared a few great updates, and we’re passing them along to our readers: • Trauma-Informed Care Action Alert This year Voices’ legislative agenda targets investments in […]
In Session: Advocating for Children with an Understanding of Resilience and Trauma
The General Assembly is now in session, and we’ll be closely following the legislative issues affecting children and families in Virginia. For a helpful list of strategies to best advocate for children, explore our recent Advocacy Day recap. Today we’re also sharing this excellent post from Voices for Virginia’s Children; their Northern Virginia consultant Mary Beth Testa offers […]