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CASA News
Welcoming New Voices: 22 CASA Volunteers Sworn In to Advocate for Children
November 1, 2024
We are thrilled to announce the swearing-in of 22 new CASA volunteers! These dedicated advocates were sworn in by Judge Flint and are already stepping up to take on numerous cases, ready to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children in our community.
This influx of new advocates reflects our commitment to addressing the increasing number of children entering foster care in Central Oregon. With each new volunteer, we are better positioned to ensure that every child has a voice and receives the advocacy they deserve. This growth is crucial as we strive to match the rising demand for CASA volunteers in the face of a challenging foster care landscape.
Each of our new CASA volunteers has completed a detailed training program, preparing them to:
Learn about the child/children on their assigned case and their family dynamics.
Engage with the child through regular visits to build trust and understanding.
Recommend the child’s best interests in court, influencing decisions regarding placements and needed services.
Collaborate with families, social workers, and community resources to ensure comprehensive support.
Report observations to the court, helping to shape positive outcomes for each child.
While we celebrate this achievement, we recognize that there are still several children in our region waiting for someone to advocate for them. The need for dedicated volunteers continues to grow, and we want to keep this momentum going!
If you’re inspired by our new advocates and want to help us expand our reach, we invite you to join our mission. Our next training session begins on January 16, 2025. We encourage you to apply here.
Let’s work together to ensure that every child in foster care has the support they need. Join us in welcoming our new CASA advocates and supporting their vital work in our community!
OPB Highlights Importance of a CASA Volunteer with article titled "Advocacy and empathy: What it’s like to volunteer in foster care court"
By Lillian Karabaic (OPB)
Sept. 12, 2024 6 a.m.
“At Work With” an Oregon Court Appointed Special Advocate
When kids are taken from their parents by the state, they enter the complicated labyrinth of the family court system. Suddenly, a lot of adults are part of their lives, including social workers, lawyers and judges.
Most of these adults are professionals juggling large caseloads. But there are also Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASAs. These are trained volunteers who get to know the children and provide reports and testimony to the judge in their case.
For the latest episode of “At Work With,” we learn what it’s like to do that work from CASA for Children volunteer Dave Anderson.
Anderson is a retired journalist who started volunteering as a CASA eleven years ago. Anderson said CASAs are an important part of making sure that children don’t get lost in the overtaxed Oregon Department of Human Services system.
“I think it’s fair to say that the system is underfunded and understaffed and people do the best with what they are given. But that’s sort of where we come in,” said Dave Anderson.
Why do children need another advocate if they already have a lawyer?
“Lawyers advocate for what the child wants. We are supposed to advocate for what we think is in the best interest of the child. And sometimes those aren’t the same thing. And that can be a little bit tricky with a child, especially like a teenager who thinks they know everything,” said Anderson.
Read or listen to the rest of the article here.
Celebrating Our Newest Advocates in Central Oregon
June 24, 2024
We are excited to announce the swearing-in of six new CASA volunteers here at CASA of Central Oregon! These passionate individuals have completed their rigorous training and were sworn in by Judge Flint, marking a significant milestone in their journey to advocate for foster youth in our community.
Our CASA volunteers play a crucial role in ensuring that every child in foster care has a dedicated advocate, someone who will stand up for their best interests both in court and in their everyday lives. With backgrounds as diverse as their dedication, these volunteers have undergone specialized trauma-informed training, equipping them to navigate the complexities of the foster care system with empathy and expertise.
Now that they are officially sworn in, our new advocates are ready to dive into their roles. They will work closely with children, families, social workers, and the court system to provide personalized advocacy. This includes conducting thorough investigations, attending court hearings to represent the child's perspective, and advocating tirelessly to ensure that each child's needs are met.
"I am incredibly proud of this training class for their dedication and hard work over the last eight weeks,” said Eric Noyes, the training and recruitment coordinator. “They have not only completed the training but have also actively engaged with the material and difficult discussion topics. Their commitment and passion are making a tangible difference in the lives of children in foster care in Central Oregon."
Last year alone, 458 children in Central Oregon spent time in foster care, and thanks to the dedication of volunteers like ours, many of these children were supported by a CASA advocate. However, there are still children waiting for someone to be their voice. Currently, 59 children in our region are eagerly waiting for a CASA volunteer to step forward.
If you have ever considered making a profound difference in a child's life by becoming a CASA volunteer, now is the time to act. We are currently accepting applications for our upcoming two fall training sessions, one starting on September 10th from 9am to 12:30pm, at The DCF Rosie Bareis Community Campus, and another training starting September 12th, from 1:30-5pm online via Zoom. The eight week trainings will provide you with the knowledge and tools needed to become a powerful advocate for children in need.
Join us in congratulating our new CASA advocates and celebrating their commitment to improving the lives of foster youth in Central Oregon. Together, we can ensure that every child has the support they deserve. Visit our volunteer page to learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer and to Apply today.
Casablanca Raises Critical Funds to Support CASA Advocacy in Central Oregon
May 18, 2024
Casablanca 2024 was a huge success! The funds raised will make a significant impact in our mission to provide children in foster care with a volunteer advocate by supporting our recruitment and training of additional volunteers over the next year. Our goal is to ensure that every child in foster care has the benefit of a dedicated volunteer advocate. Thank you for helping Alysa and others like her.
Community Members Sworn-In as CASA Volunteers to Support Local Children in Foster Care
March 14, 2024
In Central Oregon, the support for children in foster care just got a boost with 16 new CASA volunteers stepping up to advocate for them.
Sworn in by Judge Hillman, these dedicated community members are now diving into their first cases, ready to make a difference.
At present, there are 59 children eagerly waiting for a CASA volunteer in Central Oregon. If you've ever considered becoming a volunteer advocate, now is the time. CASA of Central Oregon is actively seeking new volunteers, and applications are open. Training sessions kick off on April 30th at the Becky Johnson Community Center in Redmond, running on Tuesday evenings from 5 to 8:30 pm. The classes will be conducted in person.
If you or someone you know has the heart to join this noble cause as a CASA volunteer, seize the opportunity and Apply today.
Central Oregon CASA, Former Foster Child Form Bond that Lasts into Retirement
By Eric Lindstrom | Central Oregon Daily News Jan 10, 2024 Updated Mar 14, 2024
It's an unlikely bond forged through the toughest of circumstances.
Lizzy Myers, 14, and Denise Wright, 69, met when Lizzy was just three months old and entering the foster care system. Denise was Lizzy's newly appointed Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).
"A CASA's job is to get to know a child in foster care and advocate for that child wherever they need to advocacy. So in the courtroom or in the community," said Heather Dion, Executive Director of CASA of Central Oregon.
For the next eight years Denise would be the one constant in Lizzy's life as she moved in and out of foster care.
"Being a CASA is such a privilege. It's second only to being a mom and a grandma because you get to really impact families," Denise said.
Suttle Lodge Winter Beer Fest to Benefit CASA
February 2024
Join us for the Suttle Lodge Winter Beer Festival benefitting CASA of Central Oregon! The event will be three whole days of Bavarian-inspired outdoor fun with 20+ craft breweries, food + snacks, live music and ALL the cozy winter fun. Taste new releases from from Oregon breweries, snuggle by the toasty fires, enjoy live music, take in the fresh forest air and eat all the warm pretzels! The festival will be held over Friday, Feb 23-Sunday, Feb 25 in the Rustic Village area of the Suttle Lodge & Boathouse. For tickets and more information visit https://thesuttlelodge.com/happenings/upcoming/wbf.
Community Members Sworn-In as CASA Volunteers to Advocate for Children in Foster Care in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties
November 7, 2023
Congratulations to our 17 new CASA volunteers! The Honorable Judge Bethany Flint swore in the new Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA volunteers, via WebEx. These volunteers are already hard at work advocating for children.
Right now, there are 48 children waiting for a CASA volunteer in Central Oregon. CASA of Central Oregon is currently accepting applications to become a volunteer advocate. The next training sessions begin in January. Classes will be online and in-person. If you or someone you know is interested in joining these folks as CASA volunteers, please Apply now.
Casablanca Raises Critical Funds to Support CASA Advocacy in Central Oregon
May 20, 2023
Casablanca 2023 was a huge success! The funds raised will make a significant impact in our mission to provide children in foster care with a volunteer advocate by supporting our recruitment and training of additional volunteers over the next year. Our goal is to ensure that every child in foster care has the benefit of a dedicated volunteer advocate. Thank you for helping Evey and others like her.
Community Members Sworn-In as CASA Volunteers to Support Local Children in Foster Care
March 23, 2023
Local children in foster care now have 19 more CASA volunteers advocating for them. Deschutes County Judge Bethany Flint swore in the new Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA volunteers, via WebEx.
Last year, 439 children spent time in foster care in Central Oregon. 364 of these children were served by a CASA volunteer. The goal of CASA of Central Oregon is to recruit, train and support enough volunteers so that every child in foster care has their own assigned CASA volunteer. We know that when families are under stress, more children are at risk of abuse and neglect. Right now, there are 39 children waiting for a CASA volunteer in Central Oregon.
CASA of Central Oregon is currently accepting applications to become a volunteer advocate. The next training is scheduled to begin Monday, May 1, 2023. It is being held at the High Desert ESD in Redmond. The training will consist of eight weekly sessions and conclude on June 19.
The CASA volunteer represents the child’s best interest in court and in the community during their time in foster care. All volunteers complete a thorough training process that includes 40 hours of trauma-informed training, a background check, and an interview with a Judge before being sworn-in as an officer of the court and assigned a child or sibling group currently in foster care in Crook, Deschutes, or Jefferson counties.
The deadline to apply for this session is April 20, 2023. Apply now.
14 CASA Volunteers Sworn-In by Judge Bethany Flint
November 1, 2021
Local children in foster care now have 14 more CASA volunteers advocating for them. On October 28th, fourteen new Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA volunteers, were sworn in remotely by Judge Bethany Flint.
The CASA volunteers represent the child’s best interest in court and in the community during their time in foster care. All volunteers complete a thorough training process that includes 40 hours of trauma-informed training, a background check, and an interview with a Judge before being sworn-in as an officer of the court and assigned a child or sibling group currently in foster care in Crook, Deschutes, or Jefferson counties.
Last year, 407 children spent time in foster care in Central Oregon. More than 350 of these children were served by a CASA volunteer. The goal of CASA of Central Oregon is to recruit, train and support enough volunteers so that every child in foster care has a Personally assigned CASA volunteer. “We know that the pandemic caused more stress on families, which put more children at risk of abuse and neglect,” said Heather Dion, Executive Director of CASA of Central Oregon. “When these children come into foster care, they need an advocate to speak for them. Right now, there are 73 children waiting for a CASA volunteer.”
CASA of Central Oregon trains and supports volunteers to serve children in foster care in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties. CASA volunteers are adults from many different backgrounds who are dedicated to advocating for abused and neglected children. CASA of Central Oregon is currently accepting applications for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer advocate. The next training is scheduled online from 12:00 – 3:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday, January 28, 2022. It will run weekly through March 8. Additional trainings are scheduled to begin in April and September. Contact training@casaofcentraloregon.org or 541-389-1618 for more information.
By Annette Benedetti I Bend Nest January 20, 2019
This year alone, approximately 500 abused and neglected children in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties spent time in foster care. Many of them have gone, or will go through, multiple foster placements before the courts determine their final destination. Without a loving parent or family member to speak up for their best interests, their lives are in the hands of individuals who may spend less than an hour or two speaking with them before determining their futures. Fortunately, there are advocates whose sole purpose is to give a voice to children in foster care. They are the court-appointed special advocates of Central Oregon.
In an over-burdened child welfare system, it's easy for a child's needs to be overlooked. CASA of Central Oregon is a nonprofit that supports children as they make their way through the foster care and family court system. The organization's vision is for all children to be safe, treated with dignity and respect and to learn and grow in the home of a loving family. CASA of Central Oregon's Development Director Heather McPherson says, "We work towards our vision by recruiting, training and supporting volunteers who advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the court system."
Read the rest of the article at the Bend Nest website.