WHAT A CASA Volunteer DOES

Every child deserves a safe, permanent home.

CASA of Clackamas County provides quality volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children who are in foster care. Oregon law states that every child in foster care should be appointed a CASA.

Every day abused and neglected children in Clackamas County are removed from their homes and placed into foster care. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are a special kind of volunteer. When a child is taken into protective custody, their volunteer advocate visits them monthly, advocates for the child’s needs to be met, provides a voice in court for the child, and is a consistent, caring adult during their time in foster care.

Who volunteers?

CASAs are ordinary people... stay at home parents, executives, retirees, part-time workers and busy professionals who give their time and their hearts to make an extraordinary difference for some of our communities' most vulnerable children. You do not have to be a lawyer or a social worker to be a volunteer.

What is the main goal of a CASA?

As a CASA volunteer, you will get to know the child for whom you are advocating. You will gather information, advocate for the child, make recommendations to the court, and monitor the progress of the case. The information that you gather, along with your recommendations, helps the court to make informed decisions.

how big is the TIME commitment?

We ask for a 2 year commitment. A CASA volunteer typically dedicates 10-20 hours per month to their case. After completing training, the CASA visits the child face to face at least once per month. CASAs also attend court hearings and other case meetings.

Prior to attending training, all volunteers must:

  1. Attend an Information Session

  2. Complete and return the volunteer application

  3. Complete the pre-training interview

  4. Submit a DHS Child Abuse Registry Check

  5. Sign up for a training session (Be prepared to attend ALL classes for that session.)

Any questions? Please contact our training manager at training@casa-cc.org.

Notice of Nondiscrimination Rights and Protections to Beneficiaries

CASA of Clackamas County operates its program, services and activities in compliance with federal nondiscrimination laws. No person shall, on the basis of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), disability, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any of our programs. 

To file a complaint of discrimination, write Office for Civil Rights, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice (OCR), 810 7th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20531 or call 202-307-0690 (Voice) or 202-307-2027 (TDD/TTY). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may also contact OCR through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339 (TTY), 877-877-8982 (Speech) or 800-845-6136 (Spanish).  To file a complaint of discrimination with this organization, write CASA of Clackamas County, 421 High Street, Suite 108, Oregon City, OR 97045 or call 503-723-0521.  To file a complaint of discrimination with Oregon Department of Justice, Crime Victim and Survivor Services Division, write Oregon Department of Justice, Crime Victim and Survivor Services Division, Attn:  Shannon Sivell, Complaint Coordinator, 1162 Court Street NE, Salem, OR  97301 or call 503-378-5348. 

You may also email to shannon.l.sivell@doj.state.or.us.