Become A CASA

An overview of the work a CASA volunteer does when assigned to a case. This includes visiting with the child regularly and getting to know him/her, writing court reports to assist the judge in determining what is in the child’s best interest, ensuring the child receives the services he or she needs whether that is medical care or educational opportunities or community involvement.

  • group of CASA volunteers and children outside on steps

    Who is a CASA?

    A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer is an ordinary person who does extraordinary things for a child in foster care. CASA volunteers are citizens from all walks of life who are dedicated to advocating for the best interests of children who are in foster care due to neglect or abuse. CASAs work to make the child’s experience in care as safe, efficient, and quick as possible while advocating for the permanency, well-being, and safety needed for each child to flourish.

  • Adult female CASA volunteer with hand on shoulder of young boy

    What does a CASA do?

    Oregon Revised Statutes states “In every case under ORS chapter 419B.112, the court shall appoint a court appointed special advocate.” A CASA works one-on-one with a child in the foster care to ensure that each child’s individual needs remain a priority in an over-burdened child welfare system. CASA volunteers gather information on a child’s circumstances and use the information to make individualized recommendations to the court that will support the child.

  • children drawing casa logo with chalk

    How is this unique?

    When you receive a case as a CASA, you are given unprecedented authority to investigate the conditions a child is facing. You will serve as the eyes and ears of the court to promote the safety and well-being of children in foster care. You talk with a child’s parents, teachers, doctors, and therapists. You’ll consider what is best for the child, investigate the facts of the case, and accurately communicate the child’s conditions to the presiding judge. CASAs are the only legal party advocating solely for the child’s best interest.

  • Adult male CASA volunteer with young girl celebrating birthday with cake

    What is Best Interest Advocacy?

    Our best-interest advocacy is driven by the guiding principle that children grow and develop best with their family of origin, if that can be safely achieved. All of the children we work with are in foster care, but some are placed with their family of origin. And, most children who leave foster care do so to return to their family.

Requirements to be a CASA

  • Must be 21 or older;

  • Participate in an interview and pass a background check;

  • Attend approximately 40 hours of pre-service training. Includes classroom, court observation, and court report writing training;

  • Willing to commit to the program for 2 years or more (average case length) and spend 10-15 hours each month on one specific case;

  • Follow guidelines established by the National CASA Association;

  • Attend in-service training and receive direct supervision and guidance from program staff;

  • Complete at least 12 hours of continuing education yearly to enhance knowledge;

  • Volunteers are expected to be active (available for case assignment and to accept cases) unless other arrangements have been made.

2025 Training Opportunities

  • Session 1 (Virtual, Zoom): Jan 16-Mar 6 Thursdays, 5 - 8:30pm

  • Session 2 (In-person, Bend): Apr 1 -May 20, Tuesdays, 4:30 - 8:00pm 

    Session 3 (In-person, Redmond): Apr 3 - May 22, Thursdays, 2:00 - 5:30pm

  • Session 4 (In-person, Prineville): Sept 9 - Oct 28, Tuesdays, 3:00 - 6:30pm

    Session 5 (In-person, Bend): Sep 11 - Oct 30, Thursdays, 1:00 - 4:30pm

  • * Each training session is approximately 36 hours total. The session number helps us identify which training you would like. All the sessions consist of the same training and you only need to attend one.

    QUESTIONS? FIND OUT MORE! Email us for more details or fill out the form below to have someone from our office contact you!

Please Note: Due to the sensitive nature of this work, extensive background checks are conducted, including criminal and child welfare checks, and letters of personal reference. 

Application and Screening Process

  • Fill out our application to be a CASA and provide three references, including a professional reference.

  • Attend a 1 hour interview to learn more about the role of a CASA volunteer while sharing info about your skills, interests, and experiences.

  • Pass required background checks for criminal history and child welfare.

  • Complete 40 hours of training over the span of 8 weeks. Classes are held in the winter, spring, and fall. As a fully screened graduate, you’ll be sworn in by a Deschutes, Crook, or Jefferson County Juvenile Court judge and become a CASA.

  • Accept a case & begin your advocacy! CASA will help match you to the case of a child or sibling group from the high needs waitlist where you get to become a powerful voice for kids in care who have experienced abuse or neglect.

Questions? Find out more!

Email us at training@casaofcentraloregon.org for more details or fill out the form below to have someone from our office contact you!