What's Happening at CASA
From January 2022 to November 2024, Michelle Custard profoundly impacted the lives of three siblings navigating the challenges of the foster care system. These children endured heartbreaking instability, including the pain of a failed adoption after a year and repeated returns to Group Homes. Each setback deepened their sense of uncertainty, but Michelle became a steadfast presence in their lives. As their CASA advocate, Michelle worked tirelessly to ensure their voices were heard and their needs were prioritized. She championed their right to stay together as a sibling group, safeguarded their emotional well-being, and continuously fought for their Best Interests in court. Her unwavering support gave them hope during a tumultuous time. When a cousin from another state expressed a desire to adopt the siblings, Michelle's role expanded even further. She facilitated communication between state agencies, provided much-needed emotional support to the children, and guided the cousin through the intricate and often daunting adoption requirements. The journey was anything but easy. The cousin faced numerous legal and logistical hurdles, but their determination never wavered. Thanks to Michelle’s persistence and dedication, the cousin successfully navigated the system, demonstrating their readiness to provide a loving and stable home. In the end, the siblings were united with family, beginning a new chapter filled with the stability and security they had long deserved. Michelle's advocacy not only reunited them with their kin but also changed the trajectory of their lives, ensuring they could grow and thrive together in a nurturing environment.
Brenna Albracht has been a CASA advocate since October of 2020. She was originally signed onto a case in 2021 involving a 7-year-old boy named Ben. Ben and his 2 siblings Amy and Amber had been removed in a CPS legal case since 2018. During that case, Amy and Amber were placed with relatives who declined to take Ben. In 2020 the parents’ rights were modified and the Department was named the Permanent managing conservator of Ben. The relatives who were caring for Amy and Amber were named the Permanent managing conservator of them and their case was closed. Again, the relatives declined to become the managing conservators of Ben and so he remained a ward of the State. After the Department was named the permanent managing conservator, Ben was placed in a foster home out of town where he has remained there for the past 2 and a half years. During the time Ben has been in the foster home, the biological parent’s rights were eventually terminated, and Ben became a candidate for adoption in early 2022. Unfortunately, from 2022 to now, Ben has been in the same foster home waiting for his forever home. He has had no contact with his sisters, Amy and Amber. Ben’s current foster home is meeting his needs however they have made it clear they do not intend to adopt Ben. Ben does well in the home, does not cause problems, and does well in school. His primary case worker was based in San Antonio and was only required to see him in person once a quarter. It would have been easy for him to disappear into the system and remain there until he aged out of care. During this entire time, Brenna was there for Ben, continuing to advocate for him to make sure he did not fall through the cracks. She was that constant presence to make sure the CPS worker did not forget about Ben. Brenna later found herself moving out of town and it happened that she was relocating to the same area as Ben. She agreed to continue to be his advocate with the hopes of finding him permanency. In 2023, Amy and Amber were removed from their relatives for being physically abused by them. Their biological mother was given a second opportunity to make positive behavior changes and as of right now Amy and Amber have been placed with their mom with the expectation that they will be permanently reunified soon. A CASA was also assigned to Amy and Amber’s case. What is happening with Amy and Amber and their mom would normally have no impact on Ben. However, because Brenna remained on the case and CASA was involved with Amy and Amber, we made the connection between the siblings and were able to start advocating for Ben’s possible return to his family. If Brenna had not remained on Ben’s case, the CPS adoption worker for Ben would most likely have never known that his biological mother could become eligible to be his parent again. There is now a decent chance that Ben’s time in foster care may be coming to an end with him not only being reunited with his Mom but Amy and Amber as well. This is a reminder to all advocates that you do not have to make a big bold gesture to have a monumental impact in the life of a child, constancy is sometimes all it takes.
Alisha was assigned to advocate for two sisters, Anita and Adriana, who were removed from their mother in April 2023 due to the mother’s use of illegal substances. At the time, Anita was 9 years old and was placed in kinship care with her paternal grandmother. Alisha stepped in just in time to assist with Anita’s transition to her grandmother’s home and a new school. Alisha supported the grandmother in adjusting to having a young child in her care by helping her access food pantries, find free activities for children Anita’s age, and obtain household essentials from CASA’s donation supply. She also facilitated communication with Anita’s new school, ensuring they were aware of her previous academic records, which showed she was two grade levels behind. When Alisha noticed that Anita was not being taken to her weekly counseling sessions, she advocated for in-home counseling to make it easier for the sessions to occur. However, the grandmother frequently requested financial and other forms of assistance, raising ongoing concerns. After four months, the CPS caseworker called Alisha early one morning to report that the grandmother had requested Anita’s immediate removal, even if it meant she would be placed out of the area. The caseworker added that she could potentially find an alternative foster placement in San Antonio if given some time. Alisha acted quickly, picking Anita up to remove her from a potentially volatile situation and keeping her occupied throughout the day to give CPS the time it needed. By the end of the day, CPS found another kinship placement for Anita with her great-aunt and uncle, and Alisha helped her transition once again. She also returned to the previous placement to collect Anita’s belongings, ensuring she had familiar toys and school clothes. This marked Anita’s third placement in less than a year. The great-aunt and uncle also faced challenges in adjusting to having a minor child in their home. Alisha provided emotional support, reminding them of Anita’s struggles as the child of a parent battling addiction, her need to adjust to new environments and rules, and the recent rejection by her grandmother. Alisha continued to advocate for in-home counseling and addressed Anita’s academic needs at her third school that year. Meanwhile, Anita’s younger sister Adriana, just 2 years old, was removed from her foster care placement due to a medical concern requiring investigation. She was placed in a home 120 miles away. Alisha personally visited Adriana and arranged a virtual visit between the sisters to ease Anita’s worry about her sibling. Alisha was able to inform the judge that Anita deeply wished to be reunited with her mother and sister. After the mother successfully completed her service plan, a monitored return was granted. During this period, Alisha observed how happy Anita was living with her mother and sister and supported the reunification. By June 2024, the children were officially returned to their mother’s care. Alisha’s unwavering dedication made a life-changing difference for Anita and Adriana. She provided stability and advocacy during one of the most uncertain periods of their lives, ensuring their needs were met at every turn. Her compassion, persistence, and commitment gave these sisters hope for a brighter future and the chance to rebuild their family bonds.
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