HOD3_Amend1_Results

Whereas, Oregon children have statutory rights to: (A) Permanency with a safe family; (B) Freedom from physical, sexual or emotional abuse or exploitation; and (C) Freedom from substantial neglect of basic needs. ORS 419B.090(2)(a).

Whereas, “In every case under ORS chapter 419B, the court shall appoint a court appointed special advocate.” ORS 419B.112(1). This means that Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) must be appointed to every foster care case statewide.

Whereas, ORS 419B.112(2) identifies the duties of the CASA to:

“(a) Investigate all relevant information about the case;

(b)Advocate for the child or ward, ensuring that all relevant facts are brought beforethe court;

(c)Facilitate and negotiate to ensure that the court, the Department of Human Services,if applicable, and the child or ward’s attorney, if any, fulfill their obligations to the childor ward in a timely fashion; and

(d)Monitor all court orders to ensure compliance and to bring to the court’s attentionany change in circumstances that may require a modification of an order of the court.”

Whereas, CASAs are supervised by CASA programs statewide. There is a CASA program in every Oregon County; together, these CASA programs comprise the Oregon CASA Network. Each CASA program is responsible for the recruitment, training, and supervision of CASAs for the county or counties they serve. CASAs advocate for the best interests of children in foster care, including their physical safety, health, emotional well-being, education, and culturally-specific needs.

Whereas, despite establishing a statewide CASA Fund under ORS 184.498, the State of Oregon never appropriated the $20 million dollars per biennium needed to fulfill the statutory mandate of providing a CASA to the thousands of Oregon children living in foster care. Oregon has over 5,000 children and young adults in foster care according to the Oregon Department of Human Services Data Book.

Whereas, foster youth are a marginalized and vulnerable community, having undergone the traumatic experience of removal from home and being disproportionately comprised of Black and Indigenous youth. Inadequate funding for CASA undermines access to justice for abused and neglected foster youth.

Whereas, foster youth face heightened risks of homelessness and incarceration. Less than half of all Oregon foster youth have graduated from high school or earned a GED by age 21, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation (2023). Failure to earn a diploma or GED results in a lifetime of lost earning potential.

Resolved, that the Oregon State Bar;

(1) Make a commitment to raise awareness of the value of and advocate for state funding for the Oregon CASA Network.

(2) Request that Congress and the President of the United States make a genuine commitment to foster children by bringing back lost federal funding to the Oregon CASA Network and the local CASA programs that make up OCN.

(3) Work with Oregon’s juvenile judges and the Oregon CASA Network to appropriate additional funds to the CASA Fund under ORS 184.498.

(4)(2) Actively participate in the efforts of the Oregon CASA Network to encourage the participation of OSB members in their local CASA program, either by becoming a CASA or by offering pro bono services and support of local CASA programmatic needs.

(5)(3) Raise awareness of local CASA programs within every HOD region by each region’s members of the House of Delegates.

(6)(4) Support the Oregon CASA Network in efforts to educate lawyers and the community about the legal needs of foster youth.

(7) Support the fundraising efforts of Oregon CASA Network and local CASA programs.

 

 

 

Submitted by:
Brent Smith, OSB #065971, HOD, Region 1
Timothy Williams, OSB # 034940, HOD, Region 1
David Wade, OSB #931217, HOD, Region 2 & OSB Past President 2021
Brent Barton, OSB # 062698, HOD, Region 4
John Grant, OSB #112052, HOD, Region 5
Kamron Graham, OSB #131874, HOD, Region 5 & OSB Past President 2022
Vanessa Nordyke, OSB #084339, HOD, Region 6 & OSB Past President 2018
James Klonoski, OSB # 145408, Out-of-State Elected Delegate