A Voice for the Good: Stop Child Abuse & Neglect (SCAN)
3Rivers is proud to support so many of the non-profit organizations that are committed to making our community a better place to live, work, and play, and we want to help spread the word about the difference they're making in our region. We’ve teamed up with 97.3WMEE to bring you A Voice for the Good, a series in which we feature local organizations on our website in the form of an informative articles as well as on-air segments highlighting the non-profits’ missions.
This article features Stop Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN)—a local non-profit on a mission to “protect children, prepare parents, strengthen families and educate our community to Stop Child Abuse and Neglect.”
We talked with Whitney Craig, Marketing & Communications Director at SCAN, to learn more about this organization and the work they’re doing in our region.
How did SCAN come to be? What’s the history/story behind how the organization initially got started?
SCAN is a great example of how a few people working together can create a huge impact. Back in 1974, a small group of concerned citizens banded together to form SCAN in response to the growing awareness of child abuse in our community. As a result, they started introducing parent coaching and home visiting programs. Over the past 50 years, this has grown into a nonprofit organization serving 41 counties, employing 140 people, and impacting more than 20,000 individuals a year, as we work to create a safer, healthier community in Northern Indiana.
What is the official mission of SCAN, and how is it currently being put into play?
SCAN protects children, prepares parents, strengthens families, and educates our community to Stop Child Abuse and Neglect. We live out our mission every single day at SCAN by partnering with families through a variety of services designed to provide support and resources, so children enjoy stable homes and parents have the confidence of making positive parental choices.
How do you see the mission and vision of SCAN evolving in the future in the Northeast Indiana community? Where do you see your organization a year from now, or even five years from now?
We continue to evolve as a provider. Our most important shift at this point is creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable seeking help from SCAN. We realize that parenting is stressful and hard no matter what your economic or support system looks like, and there is no shame in needing a listening ear or helping hand. As SCAN looks to the future, we are continuing to foster a welcoming environment designed to meet the needs of anyone who walks into the doors of our organization.
Are there any exciting new developments, updates, or changes that have recently taken place at SCAN?
Our biggest update has been cross-training our staff members so that no matter what service someone enters at SCAN, they have access to all of our resources and expertise. As an organization with 50 years of experience, the benefit of this access is incredibly meaningful for families. Our goal is to meet every identified need in the families we serve so they can regain stability and confidence and continue on with their journey stronger than before their time with SCAN.
What kind of impact has the global pandemic had on SCAN, and how has the organization pivoted or gotten innovative in response?
The biggest impact SCAN saw in the wake of the pandemic was how the increase in household stress led to an overall increase in domestic violence. This was true for every service SCAN offers. In response, SCAN expanded its domestic violence programming to provide training to every staff member at SCAN so each person who comes in with a domestic violence concern can access a safety plan, as well as relevant supports to build security and healing back into their lives.
Could you share a standout story or two that really illustrates the impact SCAN and/or its programs has on those in our community?
All names and identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.
Robert immigrated to the US when he was a teenager. Now, he is a single father with soon-to-be teenagers. His ex struggled with a drug addiction and was often in and out of the home and their children’s lives, causing ongoing pain and trauma in the family. When she did come home, she often traded her food stamps for drugs, making it hard to consistently put food on the table for the family.
Due to his immigration status, Robert had difficulty finding employment that paid the bills. He worked a part-time job and other odd jobs such as playing music and cash-paying handyman services. The ever-changing nature of this work made it difficult to reach financial stability.
Robert came into contact with SCAN’s Community Partners program when he was struggling to find beds for his family. During his initial talk with Megan, a SCAN Family Engagement Specialist, they realized there were many ways this family could use help.
Robert had struggled to connect with his daughter Julia as she was getting older. Megan referred Robert to SCAN’s Fatherhood Engagement program to work with him and Julia. They were able to help him navigate how to effectively communicate with her, develop a comfort level with feminine development, and understand what personal hygiene items to get her.
Additionally, SCAN worked with him to help him reach financial stability. Megan was able to help him find more work so he could ensure his family didn’t lose housing. While he worked toward financial stability, SCAN used flex funds to help him pay his gas, electricity, and water bills.
SCAN also helped the family address other issues. Megan guided Robert in enrolling his children into counseling to help them process their trauma. Robert also worked with his SCAN workers to get help with the paperwork for child support, a protective order against the mother and begin work on requirements for the DACA program, birth certificates and social security cards.
By tapping into the complete range of services SCAN offers, we were able to partner together to help Robert’s family find healing, hope, and stability as they continue their lives as a family.
How can those interested in your services go about getting started or getting in touch?
Reach out at scanfw.org or give us a call at 260.421.5000!
Are there other local non-profit organizations that SCAN works/partners with to enhance their programs?
Yes! SCAN is proud to partner with Lutheran Social Services, Brightpoint, Amani Family Services, Bridge of Grace, and other nonprofit organizations to create a stronger community.
Are there opportunities for community members to volunteer at SCAN—and if so, how can they go about learning more?
Yes! Community members are invited to volunteer to help with our events taking place March through July, as well as in our building from time to time. Anyone interested in volunteering can reach to rd@scaninc.org.
In what other ways can community members support SCAN —be it through monetary donations, material donations, education, etc.? Do you have an itemized wish list of any kind or utilize options like AmazonSmile to raise funds?
Monetary donations make a big difference for SCAN by allowing us to go above and beyond in every service we provide for clients. We are committed to never charging victims of domestic violence or participants in our Daybreak Crisis Homes, so donations make an incredible difference in our ability to provide these programs. You can donate to SCAN or purchase an item from our Wish List.
Where can our readers learn more about SCAN or about getting involved?
Our website is a great resource for more information! Click here to visit it!
Interested in featuring your non-profit on our website and on 97.3WMEE’s A Voice for the Good? Text "VOICE" to 46862! Please note that this may lead you to incur standard text messaging rates or other applicable charges consistent with your wireless carrier/mobile phone plan.