Section 184.492 - Duties; rules(1) The Oregon Department of Administrative Services shall: (a) Contract with a nongovernmental entity to serve as the statewide coordinating entity for the provision of court appointed special advocate services throughout this state. The nongovernmental entity must be a member of the National CASA Association and have a board or other membership structure that contains directors from the CASA Volunteer Programs in this state. At a minimum, the contract must include authority for the statewide coordinating entity to:(A) Contract with CASA Volunteer Programs; and(B) Disburse and expend moneys in the Court Appointed Special Advocate Fund established in ORS 184.498 to CASA Volunteer Programs in this state.(b) Disburse and expend moneys in the Court Appointed Special Advocate Fund established under ORS 184.498 for the purposes set forth in this section and ORS 419B.112. The department shall disburse and expend moneys from the fund to the statewide coordinating entity contracted with pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection for the purposes set forth in this section and ORS 419B.112. No moneys may be distributed to a CASA Volunteer Program until the program has submitted to the statewide coordinating entity the program's annual diversity, equity, inclusion and accountability plan.(c) Contract with the statewide coordinating entity contracted with pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection for oversight of the provision of court appointed special advocate services throughout this state in a uniform, equitable, consistent and cost-efficient manner and to ensure that CASA Volunteer Programs comply with the state standards and practices and with the National CASA Association's standards and practices and perform the duties and functions under ORS 419B.112.(d) Require the statewide coordinating entity contracted with pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection to oversee the CASA Volunteer Programs to ensure that each program: (A) Uses metrics to track volunteer demographics and develops a detailed diversity recruitment plan that reflects the demographics of children in foster care in the counties served by the program;(B) Adopts a mission and values statement;(C) Regularly reviews and updates its plans and policies consistent with the National CASA Association's standards, including an annual review and update of the program's diversity, equity, inclusion and accountability plans;(D) Conducts an annual financial audit or review; and(E) Has a sustainable growth plan, if applicable.(e) Require the statewide coordinating entity contracted with pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection to develop and provide training and education for court appointed special advocates and employees and other volunteers in CASA Volunteer Programs. The training and education must be consistent with the National CASA Association's standards and include culturally specific and community-responsive training components. The training and education for each program must be tailored to the program's identified equity and outreach needs. The statewide coordinating entity shall make available additional training opportunities regarding cultural responsiveness and skill building, as needed and as resources allow.(f) Adopt rules for carrying out the department's responsibilities, duties and functions under this section and ORS 419B.112.(2) The department may: (a) Consult with the statewide coordinating entity contracted with under subsection (1)(a) of this section for the purpose of developing:(A) An allocation formula for the disbursement of moneys to CASA Volunteer Programs in this state; and(B) Policies, procedures, standards and guidelines regarding the provision of court appointed special advocate services in this state taking into consideration the National CASA Association's standards.(b) Apply for and receive funds from state, federal and private sources for CASA Volunteer Programs and the provision of court appointed special advocate services in this state.(3) The statewide coordinating entity with which the department has contracted under subsection (1)(a) of this section shall provide biannual reports to the department regarding: (a) The fulfillment of responsibilities that have been contracted for or delegated; and(b) The achievement of the objectives in subsection (1)(b) and (c) of this section.Amended by 2021 Ch. 459,§ 2, eff. 7/14/2021.