Salem, OR — Federal budget cuts are poised to severely affect the foster care system in Marion County, potentially leaving dozens of children who have suffered abuse or neglect without crucial support. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Marion County, a nonprofit that provides volunteers to represent the best interests of foster children in court, faces a significant loss of funding, making it increasingly difficult to continue serving vulnerable children in the area.
CASA advocates play a vital role in the foster care system, ensuring that children’s voices are heard and their needs are met during often complex and lengthy legal proceedings. These volunteers are appointed by judges to represent children’s best interests, offering consistent support and advocacy throughout the child welfare process. However, the recent cuts to federal funding are forcing CASA to scale back its services, leaving many children without these critical advocates.
The reduction in funding comes at a time when the demand for foster care services is growing. Marion County, like many other areas across the country, is experiencing an increase in the number of children entering the foster care system due to cases of neglect, abuse, and family instability. The loss of CASA advocates means that some of these children will not have the individual attention and representation that could make a difference in their outcomes.
“We are already stretched thin,” said CASA of Marion County Executive Director, Emily Tatum. “These budget cuts come at a time when we are already working with more children than we can adequately serve. We’re doing everything we can to continue providing these vital services, but this reduction in funding puts us in a very difficult position.”
CASA’s volunteers work closely with social workers, attorneys, and judges to ensure that children’s voices are heard in court and that their long-term well-being is prioritized. Without these advocates, experts warn that children in the foster care system may fall through the cracks, potentially facing longer periods in temporary placements, increased emotional trauma, or even being placed in unsafe environments.
The impact of these cuts extends beyond individual children. Advocates point out that when foster children do not have legal representation, it can place additional strain on an already overburdened child welfare system. Social workers, attorneys, and judges may struggle to keep up with the needs of each child, potentially leading to delayed court hearings and missed opportunities for intervention.
Community members and local officials are rallying to address the issue, calling on state and federal lawmakers to reconsider the cuts and restore funding to programs like CASA. Without this support, they warn that the most vulnerable children in Marion County will suffer the consequences.
“We need to prioritize our children, especially those who are already dealing with neglect and abuse,” said Salem City Councilor Lucy Beach. “Cutting funding to programs that protect these kids is a step backward. We have to stand up for them, and that means ensuring CASA has the resources it needs to continue its important work.”
The fight to restore funding is ongoing, but with limited options and the clock ticking, the future of CASA and the children it serves remains uncertain. As Marion County’s foster care system faces increasing challenges, many are left wondering what the long-term effects of these budget cuts will be on the most vulnerable members of the community.
For now, CASA volunteers continue to do what they can, but as the funding crisis deepens, the number of children who will go without an advocate is likely to grow — leaving them with fewer voices in a system designed to protect them.
