May 1, 2025 3:30 a.m.

Court Appointed Special Advocates of Douglas County Executive Director Angela Gross says she has a growing concern regarding the impact funding cuts will have on vulnerable children locally, and across the state.

Angela Gross said in the span of just over a month, CASA programs have been hit by two large federal funding losses. Gross said first, the removal of $1.7 million in community project earmarks in March, and now the immediate termination of federal grant funding through the National CASA/GAL Association by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Gross said the loss of these funds jeopardizes the local organization’s ability to recruit, train, and support volunteers who serve as consistent, court-appointed advocates for children in foster care due to abuse and neglect.

CASA of Douglas County is one of 19 local programs in Oregon impacted by these cuts. The DOJ cuts to the national CASA impact CASA organizations and children across the entire country, according to Gross. Gross said, “We remain steadfast in our mission, but the reality is clear: fewer resources will make it more difficult to provide a dedicated advocate for children to have by their side during a critical time in their lives”.

Angela Gross will talk more about the situation CASA is facing on Inside Douglas County next Wednesday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. on News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN