Our Story
In 1977, a Seattle juvenile court judge recognized the need for informed decisions regarding children in the court system. This led to the creation of a program where citizen volunteers advocate for the best interests of children. What began as a pilot program has blossomed into a nationwide network of nearly 1,000 CASA programs. CASA for Children arrived in Multnomah County in 1986 and has since become one of the largest and longest-serving CASA organizations in the nation. Under the leadership of Judge Stephen B. Herrell, the program's success prompted the Oregon Legislature to mandate that every abused and neglected child in protective custody is entitled to a CASA volunteer. Over the years, CASA for Children has expanded through mergers, most recently with Tillamook County in 2022, now serving Oregon’s largest group of children in protective custody. With over 4,000 children in the foster care system across these counties, CASA for Children is dedicated to recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure these children find safe and permanent homes.