About CASA Voices for Children

Mission
"To recruit, train and professionally support court appointed community Volunteers to advocate for each abused and neglected child in Benton County who is within the legal custody of the State."

Values

Safe Children; Permanent Homes
Educated Volunteers; Effective Staff
Collaboration with Partners; Informed Community

Vision "Giving voice to children by advocating for every child's birthright to a safe, nurturing, forever family; changing lives by believing it's possible."

Founding The first CASA program began in Seattle in 1977 as an idea of Judge David Soukup, a juvenile court judge. There are now over 900 programs operating throughout the United States. Click here to visit National CASA

CASA came to Oregon in 1985 when the legislature authorized a pilot CASA project. In 1987, the legislature mandated that all Oregon children who were abused or neglected should be appointed a CASA. All Oregon counties currently operate a CASA program. CASA:Voices for Children began in 1997.

Program Authority Oregon Revised Statutes 419A.170 governs the appointment, duties and authorities of the Court Appointed Special Advocate. Public law (6-272) provides the federal mandate for the appointment of a guardian ad litem for abused and neglected children.

Approval and Sanction CASA: Voices for Children operates under the approval and sanction of the Benton County Juvenile Court Judge.

Corporate Authority CASA: Voices for Children, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit organization incorporated under the laws of Oregon and operating with non-profit status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is governed by a Board of Directors.