Advocate Impact: Nancy

March CASA Advocate Spotlight
Written By: Nancy's Advocate Supervisor
Nancy has only been an Advocate since November 2018, but she has already made incredible impacts with her CASA kids. For her first CASA case, Nancy selected a PMC case with Harper (16) and Ella (15). Harper and Ella are in the permanent care of the state because of their mother’s substance abuse and their father’s sexual abuse of their 19-year-old half-sister. The girls are placed in separate residential treatment centers (RTC) because they don’t always get along well. Both girls are mothers and their babies live with them at their respective RTC. Harper has a 1-year-old son, Owen, and Ella has a 4-month-old daughter, Avery.

During the case opening, Nancy and her supervisor noted that the girls had a brother, Logan (14), but CPS was unsure who Logan’s caseworker was or where Logan had been placed. Eventually, the girls' attorney ad litem informed CASA that Logan has severe special needs and was in a placement in Houston that could accommodate those needs. Due to this, CASA was assigned just for Harper and Ella. Upon meeting Nancy, Harper and Ella told Nancy that they really missed their brother and wished they knew where he was and how he was doing. At a hearing in January, a co-worker of Logan’s caseworker finally gave CASA current information on Logan. He had been moved to a RTC in Flatonia, about 1-1/2 hours from San Antonio. Nancy eagerly agreed to advocate for Logan as well and Judge Montemayor was pleased to know that Nancy would advocate for Logan as well and that she would arrange a sibling visit. Less than one week later, Nancy brought both girls to see Logan; it had been 8 months since they had last seen each other.
Upon meeting Nancy, Harper and Ella told Nancy that they really missed their brother and wished they knew where he was and how he was doing... Less than one week later, Nancy brought both girls to see Logan; it had been 8 months since they had last seen each other.
Nancy has built such trusting relationships with the girls that they confide in her their hopes, wishes, and even the mistakes that they make. At Harper’s Circle of Support staffing last month, Nancy encouraged Harper to share her hopes for her future. Nancy knew that Harper and Ella both wanted to rebuild their relationships with their mother, but the girls had never told CPS about this goal. The girl’s mother came to the Circle of Support and with Nancy’s reassurance, Harper expressed that her dream is to eventually be able to live with her mother. Before our meeting ended, the caseworker approved their mother having supervised visits with both the girls and their mother agreed to work services. CPS and the mother are now working towards the goal of placing the girls with their mother. Harper expressed gratitude at having such an awesome Advocate in Nancy and even said that Nancy is like a grandmother to her.

In her short tenure as a CASA advocate, Nancy has made significant impacts in the lives of Harper, Ella, and Logan by facilitating sibling visits and helping the girls to advocate for themselves. Nancy is truly the voice for these children.

Story of Hope: Brennan Holland

By bfines • February 13, 2025
Brennan Holland was assigned to Sarah in December 2022. Sarah entered foster care with a history of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, yet she remains incredibly resilient. Throughout her time in care, she has experienced multiple placements. Brennan quickly learned that Sarah has a strong passion for neuroscience and dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon. Determined to pursue her goal, she graduated early from high school and is now enrolled in the College Bound Docket program, attending her school of choice—UTSA. However, the path to achieving her dream has not been without challenges.\ Sarah received a discharge notice from her current placement and was denied Supervised Independent Living (SIL) until she turned 18. It felt as though no one was giving her a real chance. CASA stepped in to advocate for Sarah’s independence, pushing for her to live in a dorm on her own. Not everyone on her team supported this idea due to concerns about her age, limited independent living experience, and fears that she might run away, be influenced by older peers, or engage in risky behavior. CASA, however, continued to stand by Sarah, even offering financial assistance to help her move into a dorm until she became eligible for SIL.  At Sarah’s next court hearing on January 24, 2025, her attorney ad litem filed a motion for her to live in a dorm at UTSA. CASA once again advocated for the court to approve this plan. The judge, quoting Brennan’s court report, stated, “Brennan said it correctly: You are going to succeed or fail based on your decisions.” Ultimately, the judge authorized Sarah to live in the dorms on campus and ordered CPS to cover the cost of SIL. CASA recently assisted Sarah in moving into her very first dorm room, and we are excited to see what the future holds for her. Since being placed on campus, she has built a strong network of supportive adults to help her thrive. The impact of CASA facilitating these vital connections is crucial in ensuring that young adults like Sarah have the support they need to successfully transition into adulthood.

February Advocate Spotlight

By bfines • February 13, 2025
Emily White
Show More
Share by: