CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Representatives from the local CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program visited area legislators in Salem recently to advocate for the program and restoration of state funding lost in 2007.
Diane Shockman, a Hermiston CASA volunteer, and Jesus Rome, CASA coordinator for Umatilla and Morrow Counties, met with State Sent. Bill Hansell and State Rep. Greg Barreto to talk about the CASA program and the number of children currently served.
CASA’s are trained volunteers who advocate for children in foster care to find a safe and permanent home.
“It was my first time going to the capitol and it was a privilege to meet with Sen. Hansell and Rep. Barreto, and share with them my experience as a CASA for the past 12 years,” said Shockman.
Rome said the program needs more funding to reach out to under-served foster children in the area.
“There are over a hundred children in Morrow and Umatilla counties that are not served by CASA,” said Rome. “There is a great need for additional funding to train and recruit more volunteers to be the voice for children in foster care.”
The Umatilla-Morrow CASA program is housed within Umatilla Morrow Head Start. Community members interested in learning about CASA should visit the UMCHS website or contact Rome at 541-564-6878.
