CASA of Central Oregon is a nonprofit organization that recruits, trains and supports volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children in the foster care system. CASA volunteers work to ensure that every child in foster care in Central Oregon can transition into a safe and permanent home.
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. They are community volunteers who advocate solely for the best interest of children experiencing foster care.
CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for children and make sure they don’t 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 children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives.
CASA serves children who have experienced profound abuse and neglect and are no longer safe in their homes. In foster care, the decisions about their life are made by caseworkers and judges. In 2025, 493 children spent time in foster care in Central Oregon. Our organization served 81% with a CASA volunteer.
A child in Central Oregon spends an average of two years in foster care. During that time they will have, on average, three different foster homes and four different case workers—and one CASA volunteer.
When children in foster care have a CASA , they fare better within the system— receiving the services they need to heal, doing better in school, and exiting foster care on average five months sooner than a child without a CASA advocate.
CASA volunteers complete an interview, background check, and 40 hours of training before being sworn-in as officers of the court. Our next training session begins Sept 8, visit casaofcentraloregon.org/