SCAN Reaches Thousands During 2014
During fiscal year 2014 that ended on June 30, SCAN served 1,057 children and 1,704 adults. Your support, partnership, volunteerism, and advocacy have made this possible. SCAN is also fortunate to have a dedicated and highly qualified staff who worked to reach these children and families in our community to create change in the lives of children today and for generations to come. Thank you to everyone who plays a role in this important, life-changing work. Some highlights from SCAN's programs:
The Child Advocacy Center served 570 children and 20 caregivers by improving the investigation, treatment and prosecution of cases of sexual and severe physical child abuse.
The Circle Preschool Program provided high quality education and intensive mental health treatment to 8 children who had experienced trauma from abuse, neglect and exposure to domestic violence.
Richmond CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) helped 304 children find safe, permanent homes after being involved in cases of abuse and neglect in the Richmond City Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.
The Family Support Program provided treatment and education groups to 372 adults and 175 children, many of whom were involved in cases of abuse or neglect or at risk of experiencing abuse or neglect.
The Families Are Magic (FAM) Prevention Program reached 1,312 adults through its public awareness and outreach efforts. FAM also provided training, education and more to 70 individuals from 56 local organizations who are members of the FAM network.
Learn more about all of SCAN's programs.
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Family Support Program Revises Curriculum to Meet Growing Need
For more than three years, SCAN has been leading efforts across the region to educate the child welfare community about trauma-informed care. All the while, SCAN has been integrating trauma-informed practices into its five programs.
Family Support Program Coordinator Angela Borsella, Ph.D., has been weaving the latest research and practices into the curriculum of treatment and education groups for parents and their children. The goal is to have parents develop an understanding of their own childhood trauma and the impact these traumatic experiences have on their parenting behaviors so that they can learn how to nurture, support, and communicate with their children in healthier ways.
"It is a challenging and complex process to implement because we first have to work with the parents to address their own childhood pain and hurt and also help them learn how to nurture themselves before they can adjust their parenting behaviors," Angela said. "Many of the parents have never talked with anyone about their own trauma histories and these histories often impact their ability to parent effectively."
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SCAN's New FAM Coordinator is Eager to Create Change
Margo Buchanan recently joined SCAN to become the new Families Are Magic (FAM) Coordinator Margo will wear many hats as she leads the FAM program.
She will work to educate parents about how to protect their children, help people in the field understand the impacts of trauma on children, and support other agencies that serve children and families in their efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect.
"My passion lies in prevention," Margo said.
After earning her undergraduate degree in creative writing in North Carolina, Margo had one of her first experiences working with children when she volunteered abroad at an orphanage for children infected by HIV/AIDS.
"I decided then that I wanted to work more directly with children," Margo said. "Working with kids inspires me."
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