Last year, child protection agencies received over 3.1 million referrals for child abuse and neglect – more than 20,000 in Northern Virginia alone where SCAN is the only organization solely focused on stopping the cycle of abuse and neglect. Programs connect families to services that support their mental, physical, and emotional health: intensive one-on-one coaching combined with parenting classes, resource triage, and collaboration with partners to meet basic needs. SCAN also trains professionals such as teachers and coaches to respond to and prevent abuse. Public education initiatives – online at the Parent Resource Center, on the radio, and through a coalition of advocates – raise awareness about child abuse and its consequences. SCAN also operates the Alexandria/Arlington Court Appointed Special Advocate Program, which has given voice to over 3,500 children in foster care. The vision? A permanent, safe, nurturing home for all children.

Headquarters: VA-City of Alexandria

Where They Operate: VA-Arlington County; VA-Fairfax County; VA-Loudoun County; VA-Prince William County; VA-City of Alexandria; VA-City of Fairfax; VA-City of Falls Church

Age Groups Served: Infants (0-2); Pre-K (3-4); Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Adult (25-49)

Ethnic Groups Served: African American; Asian American; Caucasian; Latino/Hispanic

Population(s) Served: Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members

Schools They Work In: SCAN collaborates with Alexandria City Public Schools

Awards & Recognition

2014 SCAN of Northern Virginia was selected for the 2014/15 Catalogue for Philanthropy as "One of the best small charities in the Greater Washington region"

2009 Executive Director Diane Charles awarded All American Hero Award at the All American Inaugural Ball

2007 Northern Virginia Leadership Awards Community Trustee Award

2007 Executive Director Diane Charles named Nonprofit Leader of the Year at the Alexandria Business Philanthropy Summit

2007 Executive Director Diane Charles selected for the charter class of the Nonprofit Roundtable Fellows

2005 Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington

2002 Hispanic Committee of Virginia’s Community Partner Award

SCAN’s volunteers have also been honored for the exemplary impact their efforts have in making a difference for our local community: SCAN’s CASA Volunteer, Sabrina Black, was named a Neighborhood Hero by Bank of America in 2008 and SCAN’s CASA Volunteer, Malia Kilshore, received the Volunteer Service Award from Volunteer Fairfax in 2007.

Press

  • Friday's Heroes: SCAN of Northern Virginia
    Fri Apr 8 2011, WUSA Channel 9  
    SCAN's CASA Program Director Carrie Cannon and volunteer Mike Collins in a segment on how the advocacy program gives children a voice.
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  • SCAN Founder Named 'Champion for Children'
    Mon Feb 7 2011, AlexandriaNews.org  
    Dave Cleary founded SCAN more than 20 years ago, and was honored by the Center for Alexandria's Children for his work through SCAN.
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  • SCAN Gala Celebrates 20 Years
    Thu Nov 27 2008  
    Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) of Northern Virginia celebrated its 20th anniversary Saturday with a special birthday party and fundraiser at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.
    More than 260 guests attended the sixth annual Toast to Hope celebration, which featured wine tastings from local vintners and gourmet food from local restaurants and caterers. A nostalgic birthday party theme allowed guests to enjoy fun games, sample gourmet birthday cupcakes and cakes, and purchase commemorative statues in honor of SCAN's anniversary.
    The evening raised a record $75,000 that will go directly to support SCAN's child abuse prevention programs.
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  • Supporting Children's Most Vital Supporters
    Thu Oct 30 2008  
    Parenting can be tough. It is the most challenging, and at the same time, the most rewarding work a person can ever do. Children thrive when they have supportive, nurturing parents. Sometimes ordinary parents are unable to cope with life situations such as illness, money problems, alcohol, or drug abuse. Many parents have little or no knowledge of how children develop or perhaps they are raising their children alone without a support system. For everyone, there is help available.
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  • Charities and the Economy
    Wed Oct 1 2008  
    Charities are hurting, especially ones that relied on big donations from banks, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac.
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Budget (FY2023)

  • $3 million or higher
  • The current budget for SCAN of Northern Virginia is: $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

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