CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASAs are community volunteers who do what no one else does – they advocate solely for the best interests of children and youth in foster care. CASA of Central Oregon is a nonprofit organization that makes sure that as many children as possible have a volunteer and every volunteer has the support they need to serve children.

CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children and make sure their individual needs do not get lost in the overburdened child welfare system. Volunteers stay with each case until it is closed, and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives during their time in foster care.

There are more than 2,000 reports of suspected child abuse or neglect in Central Oregon each year. 322 Central Oregon children are currently in foster care. CASA of Central Oregon needs volunteers and supporters to provide services to these kids. You can help by donating today at www.casaofcentraloregon.org/donate or becoming a volunteer at www.casaofcentraloregon.org/volunteernow.

CASA volunteers make a life-changing difference for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. When a child has a CASA volunteer on their side they do better in school, are more likely to receive mental and physical health services, and are more likely to leave foster care for a permanent home. This work is only possible with support from the Central Oregon community.