Description
CASA arrived in Multnomah County in 1986 and has grown to one of the largest and longest serving CASA organizations in the nation. Today we serve Oregon’s largest group of children who are in protective custody of the court. There are over 4,000 children living in the foster care system in Multnomah, Washington, Columbia and Tillamook counties. The role of local programs such as the CASA for Children of Multnomah, Washington, Columbia & Tillamook Counties is to recruit, train and support the volunteers who work with the children in their community. Since 1986, our CASA volunteers have helped over 25,000 children find a safe and permanent home.
A CASA is the tireless and passionate protector of a child who has been abused or neglected and is experiencing the trauma of involvement in the system. They are granted tremendous authority by the court, and are able to do what it takes to see that a child is not ignored, their best interests and critical needs are addressed, and that the presiding judge is able to understand the true facts of a child’s condition in an over-burdened child welfare system.
CASAs are in a unique position to work in the system without being of the system. Throughout the process, CASAs have permission to visit the children regularly, talk to a child’s parents, teachers, caseworkers, doctors and therapists in order to hear all perspectives and give an unbiased portrayal of the case to the judge. CASAs help kids through the system safely, quickly, and more effectively.
