Salem, OR – Oregon’s child welfare programs are facing a significant financial setback after the U.S. Department of Justice terminated crucial federal grants to the National CASA Network in late April. The cuts have left local CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) programs across the state scrambling to cover budget shortfalls as they continue to serve vulnerable children in foster care.
The Yamhill County CASA Network, which represents around 150 children in rural northwest Oregon, is one of the organizations directly affected by the funding cuts. Executive Director Sarah Johnson explained that the loss of a $35,000 federal grant has left the program struggling to maintain its full-time staff and sustain its operations. “They are the only voice in the courtroom that speaks up for the best interest of the child, not necessarily the wishes of the other parties involved,” Johnson said. “They stick with the child through the entire life of the case and become a stable adult in their life.”
CASA programs provide trained volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children in foster care, helping guide them through the legal process. With over 1,800 CASA volunteers statewide, Oregon has one of the highest participation rates for CASA advocacy, with 65% of children in foster care being assigned a CASA volunteer. However, the recent federal funding cuts threaten to undermine this support network.
On April 22, the U.S. Department of Justice informed the National CASA Network that it would terminate all federal grant awards, citing a shift in the department’s priorities. The letter from the department indicated that funding would now focus more on law enforcement operations, combatting violent crime, protecting children from trafficking, and supporting victims of sexual assault. As a result, funding that once flowed to local CASA networks will no longer be available, leaving many programs without crucial resources.
This shift comes at a particularly difficult time for Oregon CASA programs, which were already grappling with budget constraints after Congress passed a continuing resolution in March, cutting $1.7 million in community project funding. The cuts have left local organizations like the Marion County CASA Network without a $50,000 grant they had hoped to use for hiring a new staff member. The new hire would have helped expand the program, allowing it to serve an additional 60 foster children. Executive Director Vanessa Nordyke expressed frustration over the situation, stating, “This loss of federal funding is devastating. Abused and neglected foster children will pay the price for this loss of funding.”
As Oregon CASA networks now face an uncertain future, Kat Hendrix, Interim Executive Director of the Oregon CASA Network, emphasized the far-reaching effects of the funding cuts. “The termination of federal funding to the National CASA organization means that a viable funding pathway is no longer available,” Hendrix said. “Programs that were depending on these funds for future grants are now left without an option to continue their work at full capacity.”
In total, $150,000 in grants that had already been awarded to Oregon CASA networks have been suspended as a result of the Department of Justice’s decision. One program had been preparing to apply for an additional $183,000 in grants to support its operations. With those funds now unavailable, local programs will have to look for alternative funding sources to continue their work.
The loss of federal funding represents a serious challenge for CASA programs, which rely heavily on grants to train volunteers, provide support to caseworkers, and advocate for the needs of foster children. As the programs navigate these financial obstacles, advocates are concerned that the children who rely on CASA volunteers for guidance and stability will bear the brunt of the cuts.
With federal funding no longer an option, local CASA networks in Oregon are looking to community-based solutions and fundraising efforts to fill the gaps. However, as the needs of Oregon’s foster children continue to grow, it remains to be seen how well these programs can adapt to a landscape with diminishing resources. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between securing funding and ensuring that vulnerable children receive the support they deserve.
