speak up for children - scan of northern virginia · speak up for children the sky’s the limit at...
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S C A N o f N o r t h e r n V i r g i n i a | w w w . s c a n v a . o r g
Northern Virginia’s leading voice in the prevention of child abuse and neglect
Speak Up For Children
The Sky’s The Limit at SCAN’s Toast to Hope
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:
Meet the AIPC: PAGE 2 An update from the Public Education Program
“Strengthening Families:” PAGE 3A new initative from the Parent Education Program
New Volunteers, New PAGE 4Needs in the CASA Program April 2016 Preview PAGE 5
CYP Update PAGE 6
On November 7th SCAN hosted its 14th Annual Toast to Hope, raising more than $80,000 to support its child abuse prevention programs. Highlights of the evening included
the presentation of the 2015 Cleary Award to the Vicky Collins Foundation, a Live Auction emceed by Board Member Darryl Dove, and the delicious drinks and food generously donated by some of the area’s best vintners, brewmasters and chefs. The Culinary Award, sponsored by Dominion and voted on by guests, was once again presented to Tempo Restaurant. The event, enjoyed by more than 200 guests, would not have been possible without the support of lead sponsors, including Dave Cleary, Donna Fleming & Pete Cuviello, Joe & Sara Carlin and Wells Fargo.
Pictured (clockwise from top left): Nirvana & Darryl Dove*, Joe* & Sara Carlin and Ravi* & Kiyomi Chandra; Toast Planning Committe Members Anna Harris, Blair Blake and Nick Harris; Circle of Hope member Leana Katz (right) accepting her Live Auction win from jeweler Alina Kim; supporters Jeff & Joyce Bliss with guests Maria Delorio Knoll and Ron Gelaro; Executive Director Sonia Quiñónez with CYP Member Christine Tipton and Patti Boerger*; SCAN Founder Dave Cleary* presenting the 2015 Cleary Award to Vicky Collins Charitable Foundation representatives David Sher, Mark Cummings and Paul Lanzillotta.
* SCAN Board Members
In November, dozens of participants joined SCAN at the Fairfax County South Government Building to hear from child
advocacy experts, learn about policy issues in the 2016 General Assembly session and engage in open, positive discussion with legislators from both sides of the aisle at SCAN’s 4th Annual Advocacy Day. Special thanks to guest speakers from Prevent Child Abuse Virginia, Voices for Virginia’s Children, Virginia Poverty Law Center and Smart Beginnings Greater Prince William, as well as elected officials (pictured above, left to right) Del. Paul Krizek, Del. Dave Albo, SCAN Board Member Sabrina Black, Del. Alfonso Lopez, Senator George Barker and Del. Mark Levine.
SCAN Hosts 4th Annual “Speak Up for Children” Advocacy Day
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Update from the PublicEducation Program:
Dear Friends,
Are you familiar with SCAN’s Allies in Prevention Coalition? The Allies in Prevention Coalition engages child and family welfare advocates in communicating regional messages to prevent child abuse and promote children’s well-being in Northern Virginia. We work together to increase community and individual involvement to prevent family violence by sharing best practices, combining resources and collaborating on effective publiceducation messages about positive parenting and child abuse prevention.
The members meet 4 times per year and are able to network, share ideas, struggles and programming updates, and then be a part of a workshop, panel discussion or presentation on issues that are affecting the children and families we work with. There are over 90 members in the coalition. If you are interested in the Coalition and the work we do, please reach out to me.
Tracy LeonardPublic Education Manager
SCAN is so thankful to work in such a generous community:CHARLES E. BEATLEY, JR. CENTRAL LIBRARY and ARLINGTON CENTRAL LIBRARY for hosting the last two Allies in Prevention Coalition meetings in 2015.
CRYSTAL CITY SPORTS PUB for dedicating proceeds from their annual Sports Pub Challenge.
FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH for hosting SCAN’s 8-week Parenting Class series.
LOKAL5 for donating 5% of their sales of special child-themed bracelets to SCAN, as well as sharing SCAN’s message across news and social media outlets.
MEREHAN ELHADY and SADAF KAHN from the Muslim American Society - DC for providing a CASA in-service training on “Islam - Culture, Religion and Wearing the Hijab.”
ONTAP MAGAZINE for supporting SCAN through its 3rd Annual Cider Press event in November.
DR. PAUL M. LEE, DDS, FAIRFAX and staff, for collecting games and snacks over the holidays for SCAN’s children’s programs.
RED BARN MERCANTILE for hosting a Shopping Night for SCAN in February and donating 20% of the evening’s proceeds.
ROBERT GILES, II, with the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse for his CASA in-service training on “Child Sexual Assault Prosecution.”
SCAN’S COUNCIL OF YOUNG PROFESSIONALS (CYP) who helped with Parent Education Programs and Toast to Hope planning this fall.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF ARLINGTON for hosting SCAN’s Toast to Hope.
WELLS FARGO volunteers from the Old Town branch who volunteered with children and served dinner at parenting classes.
Guest speakers at CASA volunteer trainings including KAREN GRANE from the Arlington County Attorney’s office, JAQUE TUCK & MELISSA THOMPSON from Arlington DHS, LYN GREENFIELD & TAREN LAMBERT, from Alexandria DCHS, and current CASA volunteers who participated in trainings.
Here in Northern Virginia, a “tipping point” in child sexual abuse prevention would mean 5% (or 115,000) of the 2.3 million residents would be trained in the Stewards of Children curriculum. At SCAN, we’ve trained just over 1,000 people in the past four years,
but we already have ambitious plans for the future: larger trainings this year in local school districts and agencies, a SCAN staff member becoming an instructor, and more facilitators available across the region. (Not to mention our friends at the Center for Alexandria’s Children who provide all trainings in Alexandria.) We’re excited for 2016!
Do you know a local organization, group of parents or faith group who should schedule a training? Contact Tracy Leonard at [email protected].
Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Starts with SCAN and YOU!
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Update from the ParentEducation Program:
Dear Friends,
The Parent Education team kicked off this fiscal year with a new parenting curriculum called Strengthening Families, thanks to a three-year grant from the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth. The program emphasizes keeping children drug-free through parent, youth and family skills-building.
The first class series we implemented using the curriculum was for families with children in middle school. In the seven-session course, parents learned about giving love and setting limits, actively listening to their children, and the appropriate use of consequences. At the same time youth learned about topics such as dealing with peer pressure and understanding their parents’ point of view. The class provided a meaningful and productive experience for the families involved. One parent commented, “by coming here every day, we have learned a wealth of knowledge. I mean, the individual group sessions we have are so wonderful.” Another said, “Thank you, thank you so much from my heart, it’s helped a lot. I hope you are going to have more classes for more families!”
This year we have already trained facilitators (see photo at left) to begin our next Strengthening Families class this spring, this one for families with children in elementary school. We can only hope it will be as successful as our fall class!
Marisol MoralesParent Education Manager
SCAN recently partnered with Fairfax County Public Schools to host a 4-week Parent Café series at Key Middle School. A celebration on the last night included certificates for participants, papusas, Peruvian chicken and cake -- not to mention some very happy families! The next Parent Café series for Spanish-speaking families begins in February and will be held in Sterling, Va. Visit SCAN’s website to learn more.
Celebrating our Parent Cafés!
Our ABCs of Parenting Class series begins in March, and we need volunteers to... Prepare meals Care for infants Play with children Help teens with homework
Email SCAN at [email protected] if you are interested!
Twenty-four participants enjoyed a two-day Strengthening Families facilitator training by Iowa State University, with a focus on parents of elementary school-aged children. Their knowledge will be put to use this Spring, when SCAN launches its second course series at Cora Kelly Elemenary School in the City of Alexandria.
New Facilitators, New Impact
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Update on the Alexandria/Arlington CASA Program:
The Hon. George D. Varoutsos with the newest class of Alexandria/Arlington CASA volunteers (left to right): Jessica Stevens, Creola Pierce, Teresa Martin, David McKinley, Laura Hoover, Kyle Helmick, Caroline Helmick, Melanie Goodrich, Janet Foster, Marcela Bandik, Jean Miller, Molly Burke and CASA Program Manager LaTeeka Turner.
Welcome New CASA Volunteers!The Honorable Judge George D. Varoutsos administered the
CASA oath to 13 new CASA volunteers on November 18, 2015 at the Arlington Juvenile Court. Each of these volunteers share the program’s mission to provide a voice for the most vulnerable children involved in our Juvenile Courts and Child Welfare Systems. The class includes volunteers from various walks of life and backgrounds, including medical professionals, former foster parents, attorneys, human services professionals, government workers and professionals from private industries. These motivated, multicultural and multilingual members of our community have taken on the mission of advocating for the best interests of children by promoting safe and stable environments where our children will no longer be subjected to abuse and neglect. During six weeks of intensive training, it was apparent that they were all passionate, capable and willing to give of their time and skills to ensure the children to whom they would be appointed would be given the best opportunity to have a voice throughout the court process. Welcome!
Dear Friends,
The Alexandria/Arlington CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program continues to advocate and provide a voice for children involved in the Alexandria and Arlington Juvenile Court System. Our CASA volunteers strive to make certain the voices of abused and neglected children are heard in an over-burdened child welfare system.
And the program continues to grow! We welcomed 13 new CASA volunteers into the program in November 2015. In addition to new volunteers, we’ve also welcomed two new CASA Case Supervisors: Kelly Giles, our new part time supervisor, and Vanessa Martinez, our new full time bilingual supervisor. Both of the new team members bring a wealth of knowledge and experience working with at-risk youth and families.
We will continue to focus on the recruitment of multicultural and multilingual volunteers to meet the needs of our culturally diverse population. An ongoing need for volunteers also grows, due to rapid community growth and an increasing demand for CASA volunteer appointments by the courts. We want to keep the program growing and will continue to seek the funding and volunteers that will allow our program to continue to serve the most vulnerable youth in our community.
Thank you for your continued support of the CASA program through the growth and changes we have experienced. Due to the dedication of our volunteers and staff, no child has been subjected to a waiting list and each child has been provided with a voice that speaks for his or her best
interest. The CASA program strives to continue improving our service quality and encourage growth within the program.
LaTeeka TurnerCASA Program Manager
Wednesday, March 16, 2016 – 12:30 pmMonday, April 11, 2016 – 7:00 pmTuesday, May 3, 2016 – 12:30 pm
Wednesday, June 15, 2016 – 6:30 pmTuesday, July 12, 2016 – 12:00 pm
Join us for a SCAN VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION this year!
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APRIL PREVIEW
Kids Need Connections is such a simple yet impactful message and has made for a successful child abuse prevention campaign over the
last two years. We will continue to use the Kids Need Connections theme this year, but will focus on new ways in which parents and kids can build more meaningful connections. Much of that effort will focus on helping parents balance work and life, reduce stress in their lives and their children’s lives, and connect with their children in new and creative ways.
As always, please be on the lookout for pinwheels during April, Child Abuse Prevention Month! The pinwheel has come to symbolize more than an awareness of the issue of child abuse and the need for prevention, it has come to remind us that “All children deserve great childhoods because our children are our future”. We are planning a number of special events during the month, including collaborations with our partners in the new Child Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria and the Child Protection Partnership of Prince William. Stay tuned for dates and details by subscribing to our email news at www.scanva.org!
Would you like to plant a pinwheel garden at your home or business? It’s a great, moving visual that can get the conversation started about what each of our roles is in reducing child abuse and neglect and strengthening families in our communities. Please contact Public Education Manager Tracy Leonard to order a “Pinwheel Garden Kit” (including pinwheels and a yard sign) at [email protected].
Help Us Get Ready for Child Abuse Prevention Month!
Thanks to a grant from the Northern Virginia Health Foundation, SCAN has partnered with key Loudoun County organizations to form The Loudoun County Partnership for Resilient Children and
Families. Loudoun County CPS has one of the highest child abuse caseloads per worker, and over 4% of children are living in poverty. Over the next year, we will work with organizations including HealthWorks, INMED Partnerships for Children, LAWS (Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter), Loudoun County CAC, Loudoun County CPS, Loudoun County Mental Health, Loudoun County Public Schools, Substance Abuse & Developmental Services and the Loudoun County Sheriffs Office to identify services offered and gaps across Loudoun County. Our goal will be to promote ways we can best protect children and support families for a healthier community.
Big News in Loudoun County!
Help us spread the word in April! Use @SCANofNOVA #kidsneedconnections
GRANT UPDATE:Northern Virginia Health Foundation | $25,000
for needs assessment in Loudoun County
The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation | $20,000 for Parent Education Program
Washington Forrest Foundation | $20,000for CASA and Public Education Programs
Herb Block Foundation | $10,000 for Parent Education Program
Ivakota Association Inc. | $9,000 for general operating support
100 WomenStrong | $ 7,700for education programs in Loudoun County
ACT for Alexandria | $5,000 for volunteer management capacity-building
Boeing Employee Community Fund | $5,000 for CASA Program
Meyer Foundation | $5,000 for Public Education Program
Northrup Grumman ECHO | $1,500 for Public Education Program
Walmart Store #5753 | $500 for general operating support
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KELLY GILES and VANESSA MARTINEZ joined SCAN’s CASA Program as Elisabeth Crockett and Liza Almo left to pursue other dreams. Kelly brings experience in child advocacy and foster care therapy, while Vanessa brings a mental health counseling background and bilingual skills!
ALICE CLARK replaced Zayda Galvez as SCAN’s Parent Education Coordinator. Alice has been an elementary teacher in both Arlington and Honduras, and brings wonderful new energy to our Parent Education team.
SCAN also has a new Development team in SALLY RICHARDS and CARLOTA COX. Sally, SCAN’s Development Director, is an attorney from Ohio with fundraising, board, and community foundation experience as well as experience working on family law cases. Carlota became a successful fundraiser as a volunteer with her children’s preschool and is quickly becoming SCAN’s own CRM whiz, as well as a liaison to our Council of Young Professionals.
SABRINA BLACK, CHRISTINE CALPIN and DR. MOLLY DAVIS have stepped down from SCAN’s Board of Directors. We are so thankful for their commitment during the years they served!
P E O P L E O N T H E M O V E A T S C A N A N D B E Y O N D . . .
SCAN’s Council of Young Professionals (CYP) kicked-off 2016 with a SCAN Staff Appreciation wine tasting at Total
Wine & More in Alexandria. Hard-working SCAN staff, CYP members and Board of Directors members enjoyed a guided tasting of French wines. Thanks to Laura Yager and Total Wine for their donations that made the evening possible! While supporting Croquet Day planning efforts and providing parent education dinners this spring, CYP will also publish a 2015 Year in Review to share a snapshot of activities from last year. Stay tuned!
Do you know someone interested in learning more about the CYP and the special role its members play in the growth and direction of SCAN? To join us for our next meeting, send an email to [email protected].
CYP Members Sarah Magee and Laura Cummings at OnTap Magazine’s Cider Press event to benefit SCAN in November. CYP members are Northern Virginians in their 20s and 30s who support SCAN through casual fundraising events, hands-on volunteering and their own vibrant social networks.
Find us at @SCANofNOVA #scanCYP
SCAN OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA
HONORARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rep. Don BeyerU.S. House of Representatives
Lisa Collis, Former First LadyCommonwealth of Virginia
Rep. Gerry ConnollyU.S. House of Representatives
Sen. Barbara FavolaVirginia State Senate
Brian Moran, Secretary of Public SafetyCommonwealth of Virginia
Rep. James Moran (Ret.)U.S. House of Representatives
Rep. Frank Wolf (Ret.)U.S. House of Representatives
Leon HarrisNews Anchor, ABC7/WJLA-News
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Donna Fleming, MSA - President
Joe Carlin, MS, MBA - Vice President
Wayne S. Ebenfeld, MBA, MPA - Treasurer
Sean Hosty, CFP - Past President
Patti Boerger
Ravi Chandra
David Cleary - Founder
Valerie Cuffee, MSW
Darryl Dove, MBA
Tim Gale
Mary Kudless
Ana Lucia Lico, MA, MBA
Candice Lopez, MPA
Hon. Tim Lovain, JD
Chelsey Ney
Gwena Kay Tibbits
Laura Yager
SCAN STAFF
Sonia Quiñónez - Executive Director
Sarah Bracken - Bookkeeping Assistant
Ann Caulkins - CASA Case Supervisor
Alice Clark - Parent Education Coordinator
Carlota Cox - Development Associate
Kelly Giles - CASA Case Supervisor
Tracy Leonard - Public Education Manager
Vanessa Martinez - CASA Case Supervisor
Marisol Morales - Parent Education Manager
Sally Richards - Director of Development
Sarah Self - Public Education Coordinator
LaTeeka Turner - CASA Program Manager
John Andelin & Virginia GeoffreySusan Anthony
Stan BargMia & Tim BassSabrina Black
Jeff & Joyce BlissPatricia Boerger & Emmett Long
Meg & Murray BonittJoel & Joann Brown
David & Rixey CanfieldJoe & Sara Carlin
Ravi & Kiyomi ChandraErin Cleary & Paul MurtaghLaura & Chris Cummings
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Janelle & Michael DayChristopher Devine
Jeanne DonovanKen & Melanie Dunn-Chadwick
Jim & Kary EwaltTim & Jennifer GaleJoe & Ann Guiffre
Nancy HallAlan & Kelly Harbitter
Nick & Anna HarrisWilliam & Christine Hooke
Jill JermanoWill & Kristen Langhorne
Glenn & Teri Lewis
SCAN’S CIRCLE OF HOPEThese individual gifts of $1,000+ are a critical part of our funding that enables our programs to adapt and our teams to collaborate for the most successful services:
DID YOU KNOW? A monthly donation of just $84 makes you a Circle of Hope member!
Three Simple Ways to Support SCAN
SCAN’s Development team started 2016 off with a bang of activities from grant-writing to event planning. We now focus on fundraising, renewing our efforts to tap a variety of resources – individuals, corporations, foundations, and governments - in support of
our Parent Education, Public Education, and CASA Programs. We are mindful of how chal-lenging fundraising can be given the narrowing of grant focus areas, dwindling resources, and rising competition for dollars. We are grateful for the continued support of benefactors such as The Morris and Gwen-dolyn Cafritz Foundation, The Vicky Collins Charitable Foun-dation, Washington Forrest Foundation, and Freddie Mac Foundation as well as our Circle of Hope members (see below). On the horizon, we are in the pro-cess of planning several fundrais-ing events: SPRING2ACTION on Wednesday, April 20th (donate to SCAN!); PINWHEEL PARTNERS during National Child Abuse Pre-vention Month in April (support our partners!); and our 4th annu-al CROQUET DAY on Saturday, June 4th at Alexandria’s Hensley Park (save the date!)
Make a donation, join us for an event or volunteer this Spring!
The Hon. Tim & Mrs. Beth LovainTed & Willa LutzKevin Monroe
Lori & Nigel MorrisChelsey Ney
Jason & Yipping OsserBryan & Elizabeth Palma
Jonathan Scanlon and Rebecca FishKaren & Fredrick D Schaufeld
Donald & Stacey SimpsonTerry & Linda Stewart
Kent & Mary Pat WoodmanLaura Yager
Find us at @SCANofNOVA #scanCYP
Creative Fundraising: Nicole Upshur hosted her own “Jeans Day for SCAN” fundraiser at the Morgan Stanley office where she works. (She is pictured above at Toast to Hope with Wayne Bradford and SCAN Founder Dave Cleary.) Do you have a creative idea for your workplace or neighborhood? We’d love to hear about it: [email protected]
NON-PROFIT ORG.US POSTAGE
PAIDALEXANDRIA, VAPERMIT NO. 6041
SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) of Northern Virginia205 S. Whiting Street, Suite 205Alexandria, Virginia 22304
phone 703-820-9001 fax [email protected]
Visit us online at www.scanva.orgS C A N I S P R O U D T O B E A F F I L I A T E D W I T H :
SAVE THE DATE for FAMILY FUN!JUNE 4, 2016 | 12:00 - 3:30 PM | HENSLEY PARK, ALEXANDRIA, VA
Sign up as a team to play croquet! Volunteer at the event! Contact Development Associate Carlota Cox to learn more: [email protected]
Learn more (and sign up!) at www.scanva.org/croquet