Office: 540-381-8310 
Programs
CASA of the New River ValleyCASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of the New River Valley, a program of NRV CARES, trains volunteers to advocate for children in court.
Parenting Young Children Systematic Training for Effective Parenting curriculum (STEP) for parents/caregivers of children ages birth through 6 years.
Community EducationNRV CARES engages in many community initiatives that work to prevent child abuse and neglect before it occurs.
Community Education
All children should have the opportunity to grow up healthy and to reach their full potential. Anything less diminishes all of us. During the fiscal year 2010, 250 children residing in the New River Valley were determined to have founded cases of abuse and/or neglect. Any child who suffers from abuse or neglect experiences multiple stresses that can last a lifetime. Statistically, we know that a third of children reported as abused or neglected are children under four years of age.
The programs of NRV CARES focus on innovative ways that intervene in a child's life. For example, NRV CARES actively engages the community in activities that work to prevent child abuse and neglect before it occurs. Although many children in our area are reported to be abused or neglected each year, NRV CARES works tirelessly to impact this number in a positive direction.
Our Community Education Activities include the following:
Hugs & Kisses Play - Theatre IV, a Richmond-based professional theatre company, presents this musical to area elementary schools to address the issue of inappropriate touching and appropriate responses should this occur. All elementary schools in the area are offered the opportunity to schedule these plays. NRV CARES coordinates scheduling of these events in partnership with local social services agencies.
Parenting Young Children Workshops - Available to any group interested in single session parenting presentations based on the Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) curriculum are available.
Community Presentations - NRV CARES staff is available to make presentations to community, civic, and church groups who want to know more about the organization and the status of children and families in the New River Valley.
Child Abuse Prevention Month – The month of April is designated as "National Prevent Child Abuse Month.” Every April, NRV CARES distributes blue ribbons and pinwheels - the recognized symbols for prevention of child abuse - throughout the New River Valley. NRV CARES also hosts a mini-conference (the Long Lunch series) for those who work in or are interested in child welfare.