May Advocate Spotlight

Anna Perhach

Advocate: Joseph Zlotkowski

1. How long have you been an Advocate and when did you realize you wanted to become one? 


I've been an advocate since October. I've wanted to be one since I was 18. And you can't be an advocate until you're 21, so I had to wait a couple of years. Helping kids is my favorite way to volunteer.


2. What is the most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate? 


I enjoy going out and doing fun things with the kids. Being a ward of the state can be traumatic, but I hope that they come out of this with some good memories of this part of their life. 90% of the activities that I do with them, they say it's their first time ever. We've gone to museums including the Witte and Doseum, the aquarium, the zoo, frozen yogurt, Enchanted Rock, the Alamo and the Riverwalk, the movies, walking at parks, to CASA events, etc.


For me personally, I'm going to be a doctor, and I think this has made me a lot more comfortable calling CPS for families in the future. CPS tries really hard to work with families. Everything that CPS requires is free for families, whether it's counseling, or classes, or substance use treatment, or helping families get childcare. They do their best for the safety of kids and for helping parents recover from whatever their challenge is. 

 

There is a whole squad of adults supporting these kids. Their ARD educational meetings were packed with me, CPS, their kinship placement, and a parent. The kids aren't going to fall through the cracks. They're supported not ignored. That's in part what CASA is for. 



3. If you could offer some words of encouragement to your fellow and incoming Advocates, what would they be?


  1. Your supervisor can be a great resource for getting help and supplies. My supervisor helped me get beds and car seats for the kids. 
  2. Build a relationship with the parents to be a better bridge between them and resources and to have a better understanding of the progress that they believe they've made. It's a work in progress. 
  3. Show up to everything you can. 
  4. The aquarium (for kids in foster care) and the Alamo are free. The museums are free some days a month. Frozen yogurt sold by weight and dispensed by small kids is expensive. Keep water and snacks on hand always.

Story of Hope: Alfredo Concha

By bfines • March 21, 2025
 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.

March Advocate Spotlight

By bfines • March 21, 2025
Larry Rushing
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