If you’re looking for skills in specific areas of nonprofit management,
then explore what the NRC has to offer. Classes are open to everyone including
nonprofit management, staff, directors, volunteers, and other interested
individuals.

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By Sheila Ellis and Miranda Beck

The Roanoke Times

The heart-wrenching story of toddler
Aveion Lewis garnered national attention and inspired a gathering of child
advocacy groups and the Roanoke Valley community to discuss child abuse
awareness and resources Tuesday night.

About 100 parents, teachers, elected
officials and child care professionals joined in on the conversation titled
“It Takes a Valley: A Community Forum on Child Protection.”

The event at Patrick Henry High
School was partly sparked from concerns surrounding the Aveion case, said
Shannon Brabham with the Roanoke County Department of Social Services.

“There was a lot of need to
educate the community in the roles different people and organizations
played,” Brabham said. “But also how they work together.”

The panel addressed how to report
child abuse and the roles each panelist and their organization or institution
have in the process to protect children.

The panelists were Jane Conlin,
Roanoke Department of Social Services; Janice Dinkins Davidson, Children’s
Trust of Roanoke Valley; Robin Haldiman, CHIP of Roanoke Valley; Dr. Don Kees,
pediatrician; Sgt. Tim Spence, Roanoke Police Department; and Philip Trompeter,
Roanoke County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court judge.

They explained child abuse is
divided into four types: physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse and emotional
maltreatment.

Every 84 minutes in Virginia, a
child is abused or neglected, and every eight days a child dies from abuse or
neglect, according to the Virginia Department of Social Services.

Haldiman discussed shaken baby
syndrome and new specialized training that is being offered showing parents the
effects on an infant’s brain when they are shaken.

Many people are afraid to report
child abuse, said Sammi Rader of the Family Violence Coordinating Council.

“It’s one of those things we
talk about and read about in the paper, but a lot of people don’t understand
the procedures [to report child abuse],” said Kristy White, a guidance
coordinator at Patrick Henry for 10 years. “The main thing here is
prevention.”

All reports are confidential and
names are never released, the panelists emphasized.

“We need the community to call
us and not be afraid to call us,” Brabham said. “I don’t think that
fear is always the reason, I think sometimes people don’t know what information
to give us.”

In order for a report to the
Department of Social Services to not be screened out, the abuser has to have a
caretaking relationship with the child (otherwise the abuse is considered
assault), and there must be “something that’s happening that is
detrimental to the child,” Conlin said.

Kees said part of his job is
figuring out if a child’s injury is accidental or intentional.

He said some abuse is hard to
diagnose, like if a child is being fondled or forced to watch pornography.

“None of that leaves a physical
mark,” he said.

Among the attendees were Gail Warren
and her daughter, Melissa Brown, with Blessed Assurance day care in Roanoke. As
child care providers, they’re required to keep up with training, 12 hours a
year, and this community forum provided some of that.

“I think it helps us to be
aware what facilities are available and to keep up with our children’s
rights,” Warren said.

Carilion is partnering with Roanoke Valley organizations to conduct a comprehensive health survey. Please take time to complete the survey. The survey will take less than 15 minutes to complete.
The information you provide will be confidential and your name and address will not be linked to any of the information collected.

Click the link below to access the survey. Thank you.

http://inspired.cc/rvhs

Roanoke Times, 2/12/2012

By: Sammi Rader and Pamela Kestner

Rader is co-chair of Family Violence Coordinating Council and program coordinator of TAP-Sabrina’s Place. Kestner is president of the Council of Community Services.

In Virginia, ever 84 minutes a child is abused or neglected and every eight days a child dies from abuse or neglect. Child abuse and neglect has a ripple effect in our community - impacting success in school, higher health care costs, costs related to removing children from homes. But, of course, the most significant cost is the cost to our children – losing their innocence, losing a sense of security and warmth and, at times losing their lives.

…

Read full article

Roanoke Times, Editorial Piece

The Roanoke Times: Local PR professionals recognized for commitment to the profession

12/16/2011

Read full article

As some of you know, the Virginia Network of Nonprofit
Organizations (VANNO) terminated operations last year. Several organizations
from various parts of the state have been meeting to explore the creation of a
new group – Nonprofit Virginia – which will immediately focus on
legislative issues impacting nonprofits and those families and individuals
served by nonprofits. Long-term the group is looking to provide on-going
advocacy and support of nonprofits. Our local colleague, Julie Swanson,
President and CEO of Lutheran Family Services has been playing a key role in
the development of Nonprofit Virginia.

The Council of Community Services’ Nonprofit Resource Center
will keep you informed as this effort develops.

Dr. Lorraine Lange

The Roanoke Times: Roanoke County schools chief Lorraine Lange garners respect, recognition

12/14/2011

By: Courtney Cutright

Lorraine Lange, Virginia Association of School Superintendents’ 2011 Superintendents of the Year recipient is now in the running for a national award.  She is in the running for the American Association of School Administrators’ 2012 National Superintendent of the Year. The winner will be revealed in February at the National Conference on Education in Houston.

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Daniel Summerlin

2011 Legal Elite Profile – Virginia Business

11/30/2011

Congratulations to Dan Summerlin, Wood Rogers, PLC, on being featured in Virginia Business Magazine as one of the top 2011 Legal Elite.

Read full profile