About CASA of Central Oregon
CASA of Central Oregon: Giving a Voice to Children in Foster Care
CASA of Central Oregon is a non-profit organization that advocates for the rights and well-being of children in foster care. The organization was founded with the aim of providing a voice for children who are often overlooked and neglected by the system. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, which means that volunteers are appointed by judges to represent the best interests of children in court proceedings.
The mission of CASA is to ensure that every child has a safe, permanent, and nurturing home. The organization believes that every child deserves to be heard and have their needs met, especially those who have experienced abuse or neglect. CASA volunteers work tirelessly to provide support, guidance, and advocacy for these vulnerable children.
One of the unique aspects of CASA is its volunteer program. Volunteers undergo extensive training before being appointed as advocates for children in foster care. They are required to complete 30 hours of pre-service training before they can take on cases. This training covers topics such as child development, cultural competency, communication skills, and court procedures.
Once trained, volunteers are assigned cases by judges based on their availability and expertise. They work closely with social workers, attorneys, teachers, therapists, and other professionals involved in the child's life to gather information about their needs and make recommendations to the court regarding placement options.
CASA volunteers play an essential role in ensuring that children receive appropriate services while they are in foster care. They monitor progress towards goals outlined by case plans developed by social workers or other professionals involved with each case; advocate for necessary services such as medical or mental health treatment; attend court hearings; visit regularly with each child; provide emotional support; help identify potential permanent homes when reunification isn't possible; assist with educational needs like tutoring or school enrollment if needed.
The impact made by CASA on individual lives cannot be overstated - it's immeasurable! Children who have been assigned a CASA volunteer tend to do better than those without one because they receive more attention from caring adults who advocate solely on their behalf throughout what can be an overwhelming process filled with uncertainty.
In addition to its volunteer program,CASA also provides community education programs aimed at raising awareness about issues related to foster care such as trauma-informed practices when working with youth impacted by abuse/neglect/trauma history etc., how families can become licensed foster parents themselves if interested (and what this entails), how people can donate time/money/resources etc., ways businesses/organizations can get involved through sponsorships/partnerships/volunteerism etc..
Overall,CASA plays an important role within our community - giving voice where there may not otherwise be one - advocating tirelessly until every child has found safety & stability within loving homes where they belong!