(Photo above: Fall 2018 CASA Advocates | courtesy of Central Oregon CASA)
Children in foster care in Central Oregon have 14 more advocates on their side. Community volunteers were sworn in as the latest group of Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASAs, in a Deschutes County courtroom on Wednesday, December 5.
“CASA volunteers give a voice to children in foster care,” said Jenna App, Executive Director of CASA of Central Oregon. “These advocates will get to know everyone in the child’s life and then advocate for the best interest of that child in court. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives while they are in foster care.”
CASA of Central Oregon trains and supports volunteers to serve children in foster care in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties. CASAs come from all backgrounds and are dedicated to advocating for the needs of children who have been removed from their parents’ care due to neglect or abuse.
CASAs complete a thorough training process that includes a background check, more than 40 hours of training and an interview with a Circuit Court Judge. After being sworn-in as officers of the court, CASAs are appointed their first case.
CASA of Central Oregon is currently accepting applications for anyone interested in joining one of the three trainings scheduled in 2019. The first training begins Tuesday, January 22 from 1-4:30pm and runs weekly through April 2 in Bend. The summer training will be in Redmond beginning May 8 from 5-8pm and the fall training will begin in September in Bend. More information about upcoming trainings can be found at www.CasaOfCentralOregon.org/volunteer.
Anyone interested in becoming an advocate should contact CASA at info@casaofcentraloregon.org or 541-389-1618.
Details about the trainings are:
Winter 2019: Tuesdays from 1-4:30pm, January 22 through April 2 (no class March 26). Rosie Bareis Sanctuary in Bend (1010 NW 14th St., Bend)
Summer 2019: Wednesdays from 5-8pm, May 8 through July 17 (no class on July 3). High Desert ESD in Redmond (2804 SW 6th St. Redmond)
Fall 2019: Wednesdays from 9:30am-1pm, September 18 through November 20. Rosie Bareis Sanctuary in Bend (1010 NW 14th St., Bend)
