National Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time to acknowledge the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect, and to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families. During the month of April and throughout the year, communities are encouraged to share child abuse and neglect prevention awareness strategies and activities and promote prevention across the country.

SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) – Richmond’s Local Advocacy Group

SCAN’s mission is to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect throughout the Greater Richmond area by protecting children, promoting positive parenting, strengthening families and creating a community that values and cares for its children.   SCAN was founded in 1991 to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect in the City of Richmond and the surrounding counties of Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, Hanover, Henrico, Hopewell, Louisa, Petersburg, Powhatan and Prince George.

Each April, SCAN coordinates the local public awareness campaign for National Child Abuse Prevention Month. During 2014 as they will work to empower adults to REACH OUT to other parents in our community who need help caring for their children.

Parenting is tough. Every parent needs help. You can make a difference before a family is faced by a crisis, before a child is hurt, or worse, a child loses his or life. You can get involved in many different ways below starting today.

Pick up Style Weekly

Each SCAN features an 8-page insert in Style Weekly with information about their work and how you can help – on stands April 2. 

Download the Child Abuse Prevention Packet

Click here for information about child maltreatment and ways to prevent it in your home, school and neighborhood. The packet is compiled by our Families Are Magic Coordinator with the latest and most effective information and activities to empower community members to fight child abuse and neglect. Stay tuned for this year’s packet.

Become a Steward of Children

Stewards of Children is an internationally recognized revolutionary training that educates adults about how to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. This program was created by Darkness to Light (www.d2l.org).  Stewards of Children is ideal for parents, staff and volunteers in youth-serving organizations and concerned community members.  SCAN believes it’s the responsibility of adults to prevent child sexual abuse. Stewards of Children gives everyone the tools to do this.

SCAN will host the 6th Annual Prevent-A-Thon April 21 to 26.  SCAN will offer daily Stewards of Children trainings *free* of charge to all participants. These trainings will be conducted in 2-hour time slots.  Visit the SCAN website for additional details or to register.

Host a Snack Drive

You can help SCAN by hosting a snack drive in your office, your neighborhood, your church or at a local business. SCAN serves snacks to children in our programs to ensure they are comfortable and ready to receive important treatment and other services.  If you would like to organize a snack drive, please contact Bethany at bleighton@grscan.com. If you would like to donate snacks, please deliver them to 103 E. Grace Street, Richmond, VA 23219.

Abes for Babes

Abes for Babes is a grassroots campaign that is focused on engaging the community in the fight against child abuse and neglect with the simple mind set; “Have a penny? Help a child.”  SCAN is working with local businesses, schools and other organizations to collect pennies in support of SCAN’s services.

You can join by having a collection jar in your office, business, church, home or other locations. SCAN staff and volunteers will collect and count all pennies.  If you would like to receive a jar to start collecting, please contact Bethany at bleighton@grscan.com or 804-257-SCAN (7226).

Paper Pinwheels for Prevention

Get your business involved in raising funds and awareness using pinwheels.  Start by selling paper pinwheels for $1 each in your business. The paper pinwheels offer a space where a customer can write a child’s name. The pinwheels can then be posted somewhere visible in your space.  You just have to ask if they would like to make a $1 donation to help prevent child abuse in our community in honor of a child they love.

Plant a Pinwheel Garden

Pinwheels are the national symbol for child abuse prevention because they symbolize a happy, uplifting childhood.  SCAN invites you to use pinwheels as a visible show of support for keeping children in our community safe.

Start by “planting” a Pinwheel Garden at your church, your school, your office, your home or other locations. We will provide the pinwheels. Suggested donation is $1 per pinwheel. Contact Lauren at lweidner@grscan.com or 804-257-SCAN (7226) to request your pinwheels. Purchase pinwheels online here.

We will provide you with the paper pinwheels and all the information you need to tell your customers.  To get involved today, contact Bethany at bleighton@grscan.com or 804-257-SCAN (7226).

Donate in Honor of a Child You Love

Greater Richmond SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) is a qualified charity according to the Internal Revenue Service guidelines. Your donations make a difference! The funds donated by community members like you allow SCAN to continue our child abuse prevention and treatment services. Donate this month in honor of a child you love. Click here to Donate Now.

This information was compiled from the resources on SCAN’s website.  For more details visit www.grscan.com.