Advocate Spotlight: Joan Ulsher
December Advocate Interview
1. How long have you been an Advocate and when did you realize you wanted to become one?
I have been a volunteer advocate for one year as of November. I realized I wanted to be an advocate after my husband signed up a couple months before me. I have also been mentoring a young man who aged out of foster care for 9 years now and realized this was the next logical step towards serving children in need. As a foster care alumni myself, I knew that all children need someone to speak up for them. I’m grateful God opened my eyes and heart and revealed that becoming a child advocate was my chosen path and purpose.
2. What is the most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate?
The most rewarding aspect of being an advocate is knowing I am making a positive difference in the kids lives and getting their affirmation for those efforts! Teens can be particular, but I feel like my teens have come a long way in trusting me and that is a powerful responsibility.
3. If you could offer words of encouragement to your fellow and incoming Advocates, what would they be?
New advocates should not be shy. Be sure to question decisions that your training and “gut” are telling you to address. You are the voice for the children you represent and they are counting on you to challenge CPS, the attorneys or even the ADA when there is a specific need that should be addressed. Of course, always keep in contact with your advocate supervisor. Expect that they will want you to be candid with them too. Be sure to come to every discussion, service plan, meeting, or court hearing fully prepared. Know your case backwards and forwards and do additional research on specific needs like special education, developmental milestones, mental health challenges, and trauma based care among others. There’s no limit- it’s all what makes sense to your specific case.
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.
Emily White
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