Advocate Impact: Pat Bowlin
January CASA Advocate Spotlight
Written By: Pat's Advocate Supervisor
Pat Bowlin has been an Advocate with CASA for almost four years. She graduated from advocate training in May 2015, and eagerly signed onto her first case. Pat saw her first case through permanency while I was not yet her Supervisor, as I began working for this CASA program in Oct. 2016. I had heard from the previous supervisor that Pat was an excellent Advocate, so I called her up and asked if she was ready to take on a new case. Pat had taken some time off and stated she was ready to start speaking on behalf of children again. She chose two cases and is currently advocating for seven children altogether. The case I would like to highlight is a case with four children, two boys and two girls, ranging in ages from 3 to 13. The case started almost two years ago and is still open today!
Once Pat was sure the placements were a good fit for the children and they would be protective of them, even from unsupervised contact with their mother, she advocated for permanent placement with the adult siblings.
The children on this case came into CPS custody as a result of neglect, drug use and mental health concerns for the mother. The family has a long history with CPS and the children’s father is currently incarcerated. The children were first placed with their grandparents but after only a few weeks, the grandparents stated they could no longer care for them. The oldest child on the case was then placed at an RTC where he received trauma-based therapy to address issues of sexual abuse as a perpetrator. After trying to work with mom to get her the help she needed, she continued to test positive for illegal substances and was not addressing her mental illness. Mom was not consistent with visiting the children and this was affecting them negatively. She mentioned she had two older children who are now adults that might be able to take the children. After contacting them, they decided they would like to care for their younger siblings long-term. The girls were placed with one of the older siblings and the boys with the other. Pat visited often, providing guidance while ensuring the children were in a safe and loving environment. She checked in with mom occasionally to see how she was progressing as well. Ultimately, mom became pregnant again, and agreed that the best place for the children would be with their siblings. Once Pat was sure the placements were a good fit for the children and they would be protective of them, even from unsupervised contact with their mother, she advocated for permanent placement with the adult siblings. She was in agreement with all parties to have the older siblings become licensed to foster, so they could receive financial assistance and better provide for the children.
While it has taken one of the caretakers longer to become licensed due to personal issues, Pat constantly encourages her to not give up. Pat’s kind and loving nature has allowed her to establish a bond with the family. They know she genuinely cares and is concerned for their safety and well-being. Pat has been a strong support to this family; making life-changing impacts on this case. She takes the children on outings and assists at times with sibling visits, ensuring the children maintain a family connection.
Not only does Pat communicate with the children’s teachers, therapists, and the caseworker to ensure she is made aware of any issues or concerns, she also celebrates the progress the children make. Pat is continually looking for resources in the community to help the families out. Furthermore, anytime she has a question or concern, Pat will call me or the caseworker to try to resolve an issue or find the best solution to the situation. She is not afraid to speak up in court on the children’s behalf and has strongly voiced her opinion to all parties on the case over what she believes to be in the children’s best interest. In addition, Pat supports CASA’s vision and mission, inviting and recruiting friends and others in her community to learn more about CASA so they too can step up and speak on behalf of abused and neglected children.
Pat has been a strong support to this family; making life-changing impacts on this case. She takes the children on outings and assists at times with sibling visits, ensuring the children maintain a family connection.
Although the children in this case are not being reunited with their mother, they have achieved permanency with their adult siblings. It was decided through a court mediation that the adult siblings will have permanent custody of the children. Their mother was able to maintain possessory rights to her children and will be able to have contact with them under their caretaker’s supervision and protection. Pat has been a great blessing not only to this family, but to all the families she has advocated for. She has the perfect balance of compassion and courage. She is a mama bear when it comes to her CASA children. I am grateful for all she has done, not only for the children, but for me as her supervisor. Pat always keeps me informed of her cases, exceeds CASA’s minimum expectations as an Advocate, and attends trainings, meetings and cultivations regularly. Pat is a true example of an exemplary Advocate!
In December 2023, CPS received a Priority One referral regarding a 2-year-old child named Katherine, who had been hospitalized after ingesting narcotics. Her mother, Jessica, admitted to being under the influence of methamphetamines at the time. Katherine later tested positive for amphetamines, prompting the Department to seek removal of both Katherine and her 4-year-old sister, Valerie. Their maternal grandmother expressed willingness to care for them but only if CPS became involved. CASA advocate Alfredo Concha was appointed to the case and immediately took action. He contacted the grandparents and met with the children. During that visit, he learned that while the grandparents were willing to provide temporary care, they could not commit beyond December 2024. They had already adopted the girls' older sibling, which kept them busy, and as elderly caregivers, they felt unable to raise two young children long-term. They made it clear—either Jessica would have to get her life back on track by December, or the girls would need another placement. Understanding the urgency, Alfredo used Collaborative Family Engagement tools to seek additional family members who could offer support. He built a strong working relationship with Jessica, which proved invaluable. Through collaboration with Jessica, the grandparents, CPS, and the children's attorney, Alfredo identified and addressed barriers to reunification. A primary concern was Jessica’s history of substance abuse and the risk of relapse. After completing inpatient drug treatment, Jessica chose to move in with her ex-boyfriend, Robert, and his mother, Marie. Given Robert’s history of substance abuse and their previously volatile relationship, Alfredo recommended that Robert participate in services to strengthen their family dynamic. This included undergoing a substance abuse assessment, engaging in treatment, and completing a domestic violence prevention program. Alfredo also ensured Robert and Marie were included in planning meetings. During one of these meetings, Marie expressed her willingness to take in the children and committed to caring for them regardless of Jessica and Robert’s relationship. With this new support system in place, the girls were able to return to Jessica on December 3, 2024. CPS and Alfredo closely monitored the placement for several weeks to ensure stability. By January 2025, Alfredo recommended case closure, allowing the family to move forward with their lives. During the final hearing, Jessica addressed the court, expressing her gratitude. She stated that without the support of CPS and Alfredo, she would not have been able to succeed.
Larry Rushing
Stories of Hope Delivered to Your Inbox
Sign up for our newsletter to receive impact stories, announcements, and first look into any upcoming CASA events or campaigns!
Newsletter Sign Up
