September Advocate Spotlight

Ida Sudolcan

Advocate: Joseph Zlotkowski

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

I'm not sure what my official date is but I know it's been about 5 years now. What motivated me to be a CASA is the desire to make a difference in our children who are caught in the Foster Care system. My parents were always "adopting" families from our church and our home was always filled with people that did not have extended family support. We grew up giving to others even when we didn't have enough to give. God always blessed us above and beyond what we blessed others with. I always thought maybe someday I could become a foster parent but that never materialized so when I heard about CASA I jumped at the opportunity.


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

Developing relationships with the children and their foster families and their biological families. Two of my cases have resulted in adoption of sibling groups. It was so rewarding to see my first case of five brothers and sisters able to be adopted into a single home. I have kept in contact with the family and enjoy seeing them thrive.


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

Do your best and don't be discouraged with things look hopeless. Our job is to advocate for our kids. Never take “No” for an answer. Develop a positive relationship with all parties, especially the CPS case worker. Don't be afraid to express your concerns and your doubts about decisions being made for your kids. A CASA advocate is a crucial part of the case, we have to be the eyes and ears for our kids, think outside the box sometimes - push for what you know is right. You'll never regret being an advocate although sometimes it's overwhelming, we are the key to making a difference in a child's life.

Community Partnership Spotlight: Stronger Together for Children and Youth - Jogs with Jesus

By bfines • March 23, 2026
At CASA, our goal is to serve 100% of the children and families in need experiencing foster care and strong community partnerships help make that possible.

Story of Hope: Staff Advocate JoAnn

By bfines • March 9, 2026
In March 2025, Child Protective Services removed four young children, just 7, 4, 2, and 3 months old, from their mother’s care. This difficult step followed ongoing concerns about neglect, largely connected to the mother’s struggle with substance use, even during her most recent pregnancy. Although CPS offered support through Family Based Safety Services, the mother was unable to engage in the help provided. The children’s father was also unable to support them due to his own substance abuse and his incarceration in Bexar County Jail. Before removal, the children’s basic medical and educational needs were going unmet. They had been moved repeatedly between their mother and other relatives, leaving them without the stability, routine, and nurturing supervision every child deserves.  When CASA Staff Advocate, JoAnn Herring, was assigned the case in April 2025, she immediately reached out to both kinship caregivers to understand the children’s needs and how to best support the families stepping in to care for them. JoAnn quickly learned that the paternal grandmother, who lovingly took in some of the children, was struggling financially and facing barriers due to limited English proficiency. To ensure she wasn’t facing these challenges alone, JoAnn submitted a CFE (Collaborative Family Engagement) referral and personally provided translation support so the grandmother could access services with dignity and understanding. Throughout the case, JoAnn has witnessed moments where cultural sensitivity was lacking, and personal biases influenced important decisions; often at the expense of what was best for the children. Despite these obstacles, she continues to advocate steadfastly and compassionately for the children to remain with the kinship caregivers who have opened their homes and hearts to provide safety, consistency, and love. Although the case is not yet over, Joann’s story demonstrates that CASA’s advocacy reaches beyond the children themselves, strengthening the village of care and support surrounding them, because CASA wants children to be safe, to thrive, and to have their overall well-being protected.
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