CASA of Douglas County: Federal Cuts and the Urgent Need for State Support

Dear Friends,

CASA of Douglas County is facing a pivotal moment—and we want you to understand what’s at stake.

This spring, a series of major federal decisions dealt serious blows to the funding landscape for CASA programs. In March, Congress passed a continuing resolution that eliminated all community project funding from the FY2025 budget. For Oregon, this was a targeted loss: $1.7 million in federal funds that had been secured specifically for the Oregon CASA Network—funds that would have been distributed to 19 local programs across the state, including $68,517 for CASA of Douglas County.

These funds were intended to help us bridge the gap left behind by the loss of VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) dollars in recent years. Although we were given some advance notice about the VOCA decline, replacing those funds has proven increasingly difficult. Like many nonprofits, we are competing in a tighter pool of private grants and donations. While CASA of Douglas County has been prudent with our budget and we do have a financial buffer, the loss of these federal funds creates a gap that could quickly consume that cushion if we do not secure replacement funding.

Just weeks later, another blow hit the CASA community: on April 22, the U.S. Department of Justice directed the National CASA/GAL Association to halt spending from specific federal grants. While CASA of Douglas County was not receiving or relying on a National CASA grant at the time, many programs across the country are. National CASA had also remained a potential safety net for us—an option we may have pursued as we navigate the challenges ahead. That pathway is now closed, at least temporarily, as National CASA appeals the decision.

It’s important to know that CASA of Douglas County is still here, still advocating, and still committed. Thanks to careful stewardship of our resources, we have not made cuts to staffing or volunteer support. Our five-person team continues to recruit, train, and sustain a growing group of volunteer advocates who serve children experiencing abuse or neglect in our community. These volunteers often become the one consistent adult in a child’s life during an otherwise unstable and traumatic time.

But this moment is a warning bell. The reality is that we cannot rely on our reserves forever, especially if other funding streams continue to shrink.

That’s why we are urging our community to support two state-level solutions:
✅ HB 5002 and
✅ HB 3196—both funding requests currently before the Oregon legislature.

If passed, these bills would provide critical support to CASA programs across Oregon, helping us continue this vital work in the absence of federal funds.

This is a turning point. CASA of Douglas County is ready to continue our mission—but we need the state’s partnership, and we need your voice to help make that happen.

Here's how you can help:

• Contact your Oregon legislators and ask them to support HB 5002 and HB 3196.
• Donate to CASA of Douglas County to help protect our ability to serve every child who needs an advocate.
• Share this message with friends and neighbors who care about children and community.

We’ve been careful with every dollar. We’ve stayed focused on our mission. But without public support, even the most responsible organizations can be worn down by repeated cuts.

Let’s not wait until we’re at the edge. Let’s act now—to protect CASA of Douglas County, and more importantly, the children we serve.

With gratitude,

Angela Gross
Executive Director
CASA of Douglas County

How Did CASA Programs Start?

In 1977, Judge Soukup in Seattle, WA, conceived the idea of using trained community volunteers to speak for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court. The program was so successful that judges across the country began using citizen advocates.

The U.S. Congress encouraged expansion of CASA programs with its passage of the Victims of Child Abuse Act in 1990. Today, there are nearly 1,000 local programs nationally that support the volunteers serving children, including Oregon’s 22 local programs.