May Story of Hope: Devin's Journey with Adriana's Help
Advocate Impact Story
CASA advocates that are assigned to Youth engaged in the College Docket Program have been collaborating with service providers, CPS, schools, and caregivers to ensure our Youths’ goals of higher education are supported and realized. Of the 80% Foster Youth who indicate they want to attend college, only 2-4% graduate with at least an Associate’s degree. Bexar County Fostering Educational Success Program has identified support networks to ensure our Foster Youth in Bexar County have access to higher education and are supported on campus to complete their degree of choice.
Less than one month after Devin was on-boarded to the College Docket program, Advocate, Adriana Krupka was assigned and ready to work with him towards his goal of higher education. Working with her Advocate Supervisor, Adriana identified that she would be a support for Devin and advocate for his educational needs and goals—both short and long term.
Within a month, Adriana had made connections with Devin’s summer school program and head counselor to assess his situation and create a plan for success. During this pandemic, Devin, like most of the children and youth we serve, struggled with distance learning. Devin went from good grades, to failing many. When the information Adriana had gathered from these school officials were reported to court during the College Docket hearings, the court agreed that an Educational Advocate Attorney be appointed to ensure Devin was receiving any and all services through the school to bring his grades back up and retain them.
During these College Docket hearings, our Youth are expected to be present and have the floor to speak to Judge about their educational goals, current situations, and bring up any barriers they may have in realizing these goals. Adriana created a safe space during these hearings to allow Devin to bring up—in his own words—what he needs; to advocate for himself. He needed to continue credit recovery, and wanted to have the opportunity to study the SAT before taking the test.
Another point of advocacy that was so important to Devin’s future was his legal permanency. CPS had planned to transfer guardianship to Devin’s foster parents prior to him turning 18. Since Devin had been in foster care since 2018, his Advocate Adriana and College Docket supported a different goal: aging out of care. This was advocated for in order that Devin receive all due benefits from his time in care to aging out, his Educational Tuition Voucher (free tuition to in-state public universities and colleges). This was able to be achieved in collaboration with his placement, CPS, CASA, and the Court.
At age 18, Devin decided with his support team to Age Out of the foster care system. Although he is no longer under the care of CPS, he (and others in similar situations) are able to continue through college (UTSA) with the support of Bexar County College Docket Aftercare Program (attending lunches with Judge, financial and resource support through Bexar County College Docket), and the on-campus resource centers available at each college or university in Bexar County under the direction of Bexar County Fostering Educational Success Program.
In November 2025, Child Protective Services received a referral involving two sisters, ages 13 and 14, who were found caring for themselves. Following the death of their father, the girls experienced ongoing abuse and neglect. They were living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions, frequently left alone without adequate food, functioning plumbing, or consistent supervision, and were exposed to strangers regularly coming in and out of the home. Shortly after removal, Tameka Woolfolk was appointed as the Advocate on the case. From the very beginning, Tameka became one of the few consistent and reliable adults in the girls’ lives. The children experienced and continue to endure placement changes. These frequent transitions created ongoing instability and further complicated the girls’ ability to heal and adjust. Throughout each move, Tameka remained steadily involved, working diligently to ensure that the children’s services and support continued without interruption. She supports the girls not only emotionally, but physically as well helping pack their belongings at each move, accompanying them during school tours, and remaining readily available whenever they need support. Neither child was initially aware that they had the right to speak directly with the judge. Tameka recognized the importance of their voices being heard and with the support of the Ad Litem, helped to facilitate their presence at court, requesting that the judge meet with the girls in a breakout room, so they could personally express their wishes, all with the department, CASA and the Ad Litem by their side. In addition, this case was referred to Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE). During CASA’s ongoing exploration for family connections alongside the Department, Tameka discovered the children’s father’s obituary. Through this discovery, it was learned that the girls’ father had served in the United States Army as a combat medic during the Vietnam War and later worked for 30 years in civil service. Tameka took the initiative to request documentation, including VA records and a death certificate, to determine whether the children might be eligible for survivor benefits. The obituary also revealed that the girls are two of fourteen siblings. While many of the siblings were unable to provide support, CASA and the Department were able to establish contact with one brother. Through Tameka’s strong collaborative relationship with the Department and the Attorney Ad Litem, a thoughtful and appropriate plan was developed to allow the girls to begin visits with their brother, his wife, and their cousins. Although this story is still unfolding, both girls know one unwavering belief, that no matter what comes next, they know that Miss Tameka will continue to stand beside them every step of the way.
Lauren Lynes-Martinez
