**The statewide organization that oversees Court Appointed Special Advocates in Lincoln and Benton counties has terminated the organization because of two years of financial issues and lack of audits.** (Getty Images)

By ANGELA NEBEL/Lincoln Chronicle

The nonprofit organization that advocates for children in Lincoln and Benton county courts has been terminated by the statewide board that oversees its work.

Voices for Children is no longer authorized to operate as a court appointed special advocates after the 15-person Oregon CASA Network voted July 6 to terminate its contract, rendering them unable to operate as an advocacy organization.

CASA organizations are made up of a mix of hired staff and volunteers who monitor court proceedings for children who have experienced abuse or neglect.

As reported last month by the Lincoln Chronicle, Voices for Children had failed to produce legally mandated financial audits for the past several years, prompting a June 30 deadline from Oregon CASA Network for either a completed financial audit or some progress in getting one completed.

In an interview last month, Voices for Children executive director Kari Pinard said she had begun gathering the materials for an audit and would be asking for an extension.

But Oregon CASA Network executive director Stephanie Brown said no audit was provided by the deadline, nor was there any request for an extension or any evidence to demonstrate progress on an audit.

“Based on the fact that the audit had not been completed and there was minimal communication and the membership support plan that had been in place since the suspension in March had not been completed, the board voted based on that information, determining that the program should be permanently terminated,” Brown said.

A temporary solution will allow volunteer advocates to continue their work in both counties. CASA of Yamhill County will provide support to advocacy services in Lincoln County in the coming months, while CASA of Linn County will support Benton County.

“In Benton County, that is intended to be permanent,” Brown said. “In Lincoln County, we are still working out what the best permanent solution is going to be.”

Brown said that local interest in establishing an independent program in Lincoln County was prompting ongoing conversations on what the future may hold.

“We just want to determine the best thing for Lincoln County, and we want the opportunity to work with the people of Lincoln County who understand CASA and the courts and foster care to find out what that best thing is,” Brown said. “As of now, we are hoping that in October we will have a decision made on what direction things will take.”

In the event an independent program is the ultimate goal, establishing the non-profit organization will likely take up to six months. In the meantime, with support from Yamhill County’s program, local volunteer advocates will continue their work with children and the courts.

“The most important thing from OCN’s perspective and also from the CASA programs that are going to be support Benton and Lincoln counties is that children have the least disruption possible, that they continue to have quality CASA advocacy, and that over time we can increase the service to those areas,” Brown said.

The executive director invited anyone with questions or thoughts on the future of the program to reach out to her by email at [email protected].