Welcome !


		Home

		History

		Training

		Why Do We Need CASA's?

		What Do CASA's Do?

		Volunteer Positions

		Newsletters

		Art With Heart

		It's in the Bag

		CASA Color Bowls

		Contact Us

Welcome to CASA of Marion County

SAVE THE DATE
"It's in the Bag" Silent Auction/Luncheon
November 1, 2008

Court Appointed Special Advocates are community volunteers who are specially trained, and appointed by a Marion County Juvenile Court Judge to speak and advocate for abused and neglected children who are wards of the court. CASA volunteers act as the Judges' eyes and ears by keeping them informed of the child's health and welfare during state custody. CASA volunteers introduce to the Judge carefully researched past and present unbiased information for determining action that will be in the child's best interest.

The CASA continues with a child's case until it is closed, ensuring the child's safety throughout the process, and keeping the child welfare and juvenile justice system alert to the child's needs.

OUR MISSION:

"To pursue the best interests of children in the court system and provide abused and neglected children a powerful voice by volunteers who are committed and trained to advocate for finding them a safe and permanent home".

In 1987 the Oregon Legislature mandated that all abused and neglected children in Oregon should have a CASA (ORS 419A.170) and two pilot were stated. By 2000 every county in Oregon has a CASA program. The Marion County CASA program was approved as an independent non-profit organization, CASA of Marion County, Inc.

This mandate requires the CASA to:

                                                                            • Investigate
                                                                            • Advocate
                                                                            • Facilitate and negotiate
                                                                            • Monitor

CASA's ARE EFFECTIVE

National studies have shown that having a CASA assigned to a juvenile case results in:

• More appropriate services actually being received by the child

• Reduce the number of foster home moves for a child while in state care

• Reduce the overall length of time in state care

• For children not rejoining their parents, a child is more likely to be adopted and less likely

to remain in 'permanent foster care' when served by a CASA.

Most significantly, for those children with closed cases (children who have found a 'home'), kids served by a CASA are only half as likely to re-enter foster care as those kids who didn't have a CASA.

For information on how to volunteer

Click Here