In a challenging turn for one of Oregon’s most vital child advocacy organizations, the Oregon CASA Network (OCN) has announced it will lose a significant stream of federal funding that has long supported its mission to aid children in foster care. Despite this abrupt setback, the organization is emphasizing resilience, community support, and legislative action as it works to maintain uninterrupted services.
OCN, which represents 19 Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) programs across the state, was informed that the U.S. Department of Justice has terminated all federal funding to the National CASA/GAL Association. This funding historically provided critical resources for training, assistance, and local subawards essential to operating CASA programs both in Oregon and nationwide.
The loss stems from a decision by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), which ordered that no additional spending be made under the affected federal grant awards after April 22, 2025. With this announcement, services once coordinated nationally through the CASA/GAL Association have come to a halt, and the organization is now appealing the decision.
For OCN, this means an immediate halt to a longstanding partnership with the National CASA/GAL Association on federal initiatives. However, local programs are stepping up to fill the void. According to Kat Hendrix, Executive Director of the Oregon CASA Network, “With National CASA/GAL Association’s dramatic decrease in funding, it falls to local CASA programs to pick up the pieces and work that much harder on behalf of children in foster care who have experienced abuse and neglect.”
CASA programs in Oregon have served as a lifeline for vulnerable children who have experienced trauma, offering them consistent, trained advocates throughout their time in the foster care and legal systems. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to ensure that these children’s voices are heard, their needs addressed, and their best interests represented in court.
This latest funding loss follows a prior blow: the elimination of $1.7 million in community project grants to Oregon CASA programs in the federal FY2025 budget. While the dual loss of funding places immense pressure on the statewide network, Hendrix reaffirmed OCN’s determination to continue serving Oregon’s youth.
“While this loss of federal support presents challenges, OCN remains committed to ensuring that every child has a dedicated, compassionate advocate by their side in court and in life,” Hendrix said. She also encouraged community members, partners, and supporters to rally together during this time, emphasizing that the network is “stronger, more connected, and more determined than ever.”
To offset the financial blow, CASA programs are already pivoting. The organization is exploring new partnerships, diversifying its funding base, and increasing investment at the local and state levels. Among their immediate calls to action is a push for public support of Oregon House Bills 5002 and 3196—two state funding measures currently under consideration. OCN stresses that these bills have taken on newfound importance as the state scrambles to compensate for the federal shortfall.
The urgency is real: without continued funding, some local CASA programs may struggle to retain staff, train new volunteers, or reach the thousands of children in Oregon’s foster care system who depend on their support. The Oregon CASA Network is actively urging community members to contact legislators and voice their support for these bills, highlighting the direct impact state funding could have in keeping child advocacy efforts alive and effective.
Despite the grim funding news, Hendrix remains focused on the mission. “Our local CASA programs serve children in every county in Oregon and are deeply rooted in their communities,” she said. “Our network has a long and proven track record of adapting in the face of challenges—and this moment is no different.”
As OCN navigates this latest hurdle, the organization’s message is clear: every child deserves an advocate, and with the help of the community and lawmakers, Oregon’s CASA programs will continue to deliver.
For more information or to get involved, individuals are encouraged to contact Kat Hendrix at the Oregon CASA Network via email at KHendrix@oregoncasanetwork.org or by phone at 971-469-9562.