About Us

Mission:
The Mission of CASA of Douglas County is: (a) to promote the best interest of abused, neglected, and vulnerable children who are wards of the court, using trained, committed volunteers advocating for each child's timely return to a safe, nurturing, and permanent home; and (b) to promote community responsibility for reduction of child abuse and neglect.

Definition of a volunteer:
A "volunteer" in this context is anyone who without compensation or expectation of compensation performs a task at the direction and on behalf of CASA of Douglas County.  A volunteer must be officially accepted, trained and appointed by the court before performing any task on behalf of CASA of Douglas County.  Unless specifically stated, volunteers shall not be considered as employees of the agency.

CASA of Douglas County volunteers are advocates for the children on their cases.  They are also advocates for abused and neglected children in a larger, collective sense.  CASA volunteers educate the public regarding the scope of their community's child abuse problem.

CASA volunteers can advocate with the private sector for financial, human and other resources to assist in solving the difficult problems confronting children.  They can advocate for responsible change with the child welfare and human service systems.  The accomplishment of CASA of Douglas County's mission is dependent on the efforts and commitments of volunteers.

History:
The first volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program for abused and neglected children was formed in 1977 by King County, Washington, Superior Court Judge David Soukup.  With the volume of cases before the court each day and the importance of the court's decisions in the lives of abused and neglected children, Judge Soukup wanted an independent and objective voice speaking for the child's best interest.  From this concern and as a result of his efforts, the CASA program was born.  This unique concept of recruiting and training volunteers to serve as CASA's or Guardians ad Litem (GAL) would change America's judicial procedures and the lives of thousands of children.

Following its beginnings in Seattle in the late 70's, CASA/GAL has grown significantly.  In April 2001, the millionth child received advocacy in court by a CASA.  Today, the National CASA Association represents over 950 CASA programs across the country.  All counties in Oregon have CASA programs.

In 1985, the Oregon Legislative Assembly enacted what is now ORS 419A.170, mandating the appointment of a CASA for every child who becomes a ward of the court.  In this same year, the Oregon Legislative assembly directed the Oregon Children's Services Division (DHS) to create two CASA pilot programs.  In 1988, eight additional county programs were initiated with one-time start up grants utilizing National Center for Child Abuse and Neglect funds.  A year later, the Legislature transferred the responsibility for the coordination of CASA programs to the Oregon Community Children and Youth Services Commission (now the Oregon Commission on Children and Families).