CASA for Children of Multnomah, Washington, Columbia, and Tillamook Counties

Mission

CASA for Children strives to improve outcomes for children in foster care by recruiting, training, and supporting community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Appointed by a judge as a legal party to cases involving children in foster care, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are trained and dedicated volunteer advocates who meet with their assigned child regularly, attend court hearings, and provide informed recommendations to the court, all while advocating for essential services that support the child's well-being and journey towards a stable, permanent home. 

Bottom Line for Portland

As Oregon’s largest and longest-serving CASA organization, we support nearly 500 volunteers in Multnomah, Washington, Columbia, and Tillamook counties who advocate for over 900 youth each year. We have the highest number of unserved youth (in all of Oregon) in Multnomah County, where more than 700 children in foster care do not have access to a CASA today. Your gifts support our long-term goal of providing every child in foster care with the advocacy they deserve.

Quote

I credit the CASA on our case for the successful reunification of the child with their mother. The CASA was able to see in my client the qualities she had that would ensure she would be a safe and stable parent to her child. My client really struggled with her confidence and, when I made her sit down and read one of the CASAs court reports, she started to realize how much the CASA was advocating for her and her child to be a family. My client needed to do some hard work, but with support and encouragement, she has done incredibly well. It is a joy to see her blossom and to know that her child is thriving in her care. It takes a special person to see the benefits of reunification and to really advocate for the family.  I will be forever indebted to this CASA for her dedication to this case, and for the lasting impact made on the lives of the child and their family.  

- Attorney, Parent/Child Advocacy Division

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

CASA for Children advocates to prioritize anti-racism, anti-oppression, justice, and healing by acknowledging the inequities and trauma that exist both in our internal work community and in our broader community. We strive to continuously improve our practice to not inadvertently perpetuate harm that we know is caused by the dependency system. We are committed to actively advancing the ongoing learning and adaptation needed to better serve the children in our community and prioritize continuing education for staff and volunteers, community partnerships to expand connection and competencies, and cultural responsiveness as we shape our practices and our work.

Partner(s)

As organizations working to support and advocate for children in foster care, CASA for Children, Project Lemonade, Kinship House and Project 48 are partnering to share our work and passion with more people in our community.

The Hoffman Agency is dedicated to supporting our communities and honored to advance CASA for Children's mission with pro-bono services including media outreach and creative content development.