CASA Program
What is CASA?
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Lane County provides a powerful voice for children who are in need because they have been abused or neglected by their parents or caretakers.
CASA recruits, screens, trains, and supervises community volunteers who serve as beacons of hope, guiding children through the complex court and child protective services systems. Their mission is to find safe, permanent homes for these children as quickly as possible. When children are removed from their homes, they often enter overburdened systems that can drown out their voices. CASA volunteers step in to ensure their voices are heard loud and clear.
Join us in our mission to make a difference. By supporting CASA of Lane County, you can help provide a powerful voice for these children and enable them to find the safe, loving homes they deserve. Together, we can create a community where every child is cherished and allowed to thrive. Be a part of the change that transforms lives and restores hope.
CASA: A Community Inspiring Hope and Helping Kids
Being a CASA means serving as a powerful voice of advocacy for children who need it the most. With one of the highest maltreatment rates in the state, nearly 1,000 children in Lane County spend time in the foster care system every year. CASA volunteers step in to advocate for these children and ensure their voices are being heard in the courts and in their communities.
Effects of Abuse & Neglect
Children who are victims of substantiated abuse and neglect before adulthood have what is known as “adverse childhood experiences” (ACEs). ACEs can cause severe trauma and increase the risk for physical or mental problems, especially if children don’t receive the support they need.
Potential ACEs children in our care may have endured include:
physical abuse
neglect
emotional abuse
sexual abuse
witnessing violence
having mental illness in the household
having a member of the household who is incarcerated.
ACEs can leave lasting effects on a child by negatively impacting:
their health and ability to thrive
brain development
physical health
mental health
educational achievement
behavior
income
The Benefits of a CASA
CASAs ameliorate the adverse effects of ACEs by acting as a consistent, trusted adult for children who may not have anyone else to rely on. CASAs commit to remain consistently present in the child’s custody case until the case is closed to ensure their needs are met and that they are placed in a safe, stable home.
Providing children with CASAs ensures their needs are met, meaning they spend less time in foster care, are more likely to receive healthcare and therapy services, and are less likely to be moved between foster homes and schools, thereby strengthening their well-being and futures.
