Speak Up For Children | SCAN Newsletter WINTER/SPRING 2016

Speak Up For Children Northern Virginia’s leading voice in the prevention of child abuse and neglect

w w w. s c a nva . o rg

WINTER/SPRING 2016

Volume 20, Issue 1

The Sky’s The Limit at SCAN’s Toast to Hope

O

n 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

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Meet the AIPC: PAGE 2 An update from the Public Education Program “Strengthening Families:” PAGE 3 A new initative from the Parent Education Program New Volunteers, New PAGE 4 Needs in the CASA Program April 2016 Preview

PAGE 5

CYP Update

PAGE 6

SCAN Hosts 4th Annual “Speak Up for Children” Advocacy Day

I

n 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.

SC AN of Nor thern Virginia | w w w.sc anva.org

SCAN is so thankful to work in such a generous community:

Update from the Public Education 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 public education 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 Leonard

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 childthemed 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.

Public Education Manager

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.

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Starts with SCAN and YOU!

H

ere 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 tleonard@scanva.org.

2

Speak Up for Children - WINTER / SPRING 2016

w w w.sc anva.org

Update from the Parent Education 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.

Celebrating our Parent Cafés!

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.

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 Morales

Parent Education Manager

New Facilitators, New Impact 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. w w w . s c a n v a . o r g

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 info@scanva.org if you are interested!

S p e a k U p f o r C h i l d r e n - W I N T E R / S P R I N G 2 0 1 6

3

Update on the

Alexandria/Arlington CASA Program: Dear Friends,

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!

T

he 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!

Join us for a SCAN VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION this year!

Wednesday, March 16, 2016 – 12:30 pm Monday, April 11, 2016 – 7:00 pm Tuesday, May 3, 2016 – 12:30 pm Wednesday, June 15, 2016 – 6:30 pm Tuesday, July 12, 2016 – 12:00 pm 4

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.

Speak Up for Children - WINTER / SPRING 2016

LaTeeka Turner

CASA Program Manager

w w w.sc anva.org

APRIL PREVIEW Help Us Get Ready for Child Abuse Prevention Month!

K

ids 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 tleonard@scanva.org.

Help us spread the word in April! Use @SCANofNOVA #kidsneedconnections

Big News in Loudoun County!

T

hanks 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. w w w . s c a n v a . o r g

S p e a k U p f o r C h i l d r e n - W I N T E R / S P R I N G 2 0 1 6

5

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE AT S C A N A N D B E Y O N D. . .

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.

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.

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!

GRANT UPDATE: Northern Virginia Health Foundation | $25,000 for needs assessment in Loudoun County

S

CAN’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 cyp@scanva.org.

The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation | $20,000 for Parent Education Program Washington Forrest Foundation | $20,000 for 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 | $ 7,700 for 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

Find us at @SCANofNOVA #scanCYP 6

Walmart Store #5753 | $500 for general operating support

Speak Up for Children -WINTER / SPRING 2016

w w w.sc anva.org

Three Simple Ways to Support SCAN Make a donation, join us for an event or volunteer this Spring!

S

CAN’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 challenging 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 Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, The Vicky Collins Charitable Foundation, Washington Forrest Foundation, and Freddie Mac Foundation as well as our Circle of Hope members (see below).

On the horizon, we are in the process of planning several fundraising events: SPRING2ACTION on Wednesday, April 20th (donate to SCAN!); PINWHEEL PARTNERS during National Child Abuse Pre- Creative Fundraising: Nicole Upshur hosted her own “Jeans vention Month in April (support Day for SCAN” fundraiser at the Wells Fargo branch where our partners!); and our 4th annu- she works. (She is pictured above at Toast to Hope with al CROQUET DAY on Saturday, Wayne Bradford and SCAN Founder Dave Cleary.) Do you June 4th at Alexandria’s Hensley have a creative idea for your workplace or neighborhood?

We’d love to hear about it: info@scanva.org Park (save the date!)

SCAN OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA HONORARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS Rep. Don Beyer U.S. House of Representatives Lisa Collis, Former First Lady Commonwealth of Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly U.S. House of Representatives Sen. Barbara Favola Virginia State Senate Brian Moran, Secretary of Public Safety Commonwealth of Virginia Rep. James Moran (Ret.) U.S. House of Representatives Rep. Frank Wolf (Ret.) U.S. House of Representatives Leon Harris News 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

SCAN’S CIRCLE OF HOPE These 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: John Andelin & Virginia Geoffrey Susan Anthony Stan Barg Mia & Tim Bass Sabrina Black Jeff & Joyce Bliss Patricia Boerger & Emmett Long Meg & Murray Bonitt Joel & Joann Brown David & Rixey Canfield Joe & Sara Carlin Ravi & Kiyomi Chandra Erin Cleary & Paul Murtagh Laura & Chris Cummings

Tim Gale

DID YOU KNOW? A monthly donation of just $84 makes you a Circle of Hope member!

Janelle & Michael Day Christopher Devine Jeanne Donovan Ken & Melanie Dunn-Chadwick Jim & Kary Ewalt Tim & Jennifer Gale Joe & Ann Guiffre Nancy Hall Nick & Anna Harris William & Christine Hooke Jill Jermano Will & Kristen Langhorne Glenn & Teri Lewis The Hon. Tim & Mrs. Beth Lovain

w w w . s c a n v a . o r g

Ted & Willa Lutz Kevin Monroe Lori & Nigel Morris Chelsey Ney Jason & Yipping Osser Bryan & Elizabeth Palma Jonathan Scanlon and Rebecca Fish Karen & Fredrick D Schaufeld Donald & Stacey Simpson Terry & Linda Stewart Kent & Mary Pat Woodman Laura Yager

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

S p e a k U p f o r C h i l d r e n - W I N T E R / S P R I N G 2 0 1 6

7

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: ccox@scanva.org

Learn more (and sign up!) at www.scanva.org/croquet S C A N I S P R O U D TO B E A F F I L I AT E D W I T H :

Visit us online at www.scanva.org phone 703-820-9001 fax 703-820-9002 info@scanva.org SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) of Northern Virginia 205 S. Whiting Street, Suite 205 Alexandria, Virginia 22304

NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID ALEXANDRIA, VA PERMIT NO. 6041