THE DALLES — Children living in rural Oregon communities are more likely to enter foster care than children in the state’s largest urban counties, according to a new analysis by InvestigateWest (www.investigatewest.org/oregons-rural-counties-kids-more-likely-foster-care).
The analysis found that, after adjusting for population, children in the majority of Oregon’s rural counties were more likely to spend time in foster care in 2025 than children in the state’s largest urban counties. Rural counties have experienced higher foster care rates than urban counties for at least five years. More than 6,900 Oregon children spent at least one day in foster care in 2025.
Wasco County is among the rural communities experiencing this disparity. In 2025, 17.42 children per 1,000 entered foster care — more than twice the rate in Multnomah County.
For children who have experienced abuse or neglect, entering foster care may be necessary to ensure their safety, but it can also bring uncertainty and disruption. Local nonprofit Columbia Gorge CASA exists to ensure that children involved in the child welfare system have someone advocating for their best interests. CASA volunteers often serve as a consistent adult who gets to know the child, listens to their concerns, and advocates for their best interests while they navigate the child welfare system.
CASA training begins Sept. 24
Rural communities often have fewer resources than urban communities, but we have the infrastructure here to ensure children in foster care have the advocacy they deserve — we just need enough volunteers to make it possible. We currently are serving around 70 children, but approximately 15 more children could benefit from having a CASA volunteer.
Columbia Gorge CASA trains community volunteers to advocate for the best interest of children experiencing foster care. Volunteers meet regularly with the children they serve and provide the judge with updates about their needs whenever the case is reviewed in court.
The organization’s next volunteer training begins Sept. 24 and takes place Thursdays from noon to 3:30 p.m. through Nov. 5.
Community members can learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer or support Columbia Gorge CASA financially to help recruit, train, and retain volunteers at gorgecasa.org.
Columbia Gorge CASA is partially funded through grants from the State of Oregon, Braemar Charitable Trust funding through Trust Management Services LLC, Columbia Bank, The Ford Family Foundation, The Healy Foundation, James and Shirley Rippey Family Foundation, Oregon Community Foundation, Roundhouse Foundation, and United Way of the Columbia Gorge, as well as through anonymous support.
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Christopher Janetzkois the executive director of Columbia Gorge CASA.
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