April Advocate Spotlight

Sandy Shores

Advocate: Joseph Zlotkowski

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


I have been an advocate for 4.5 years. I first heard about CASA in the mid-nineties and I loved the concept of children in crisis having an advocate, At the time I was just starting my career in the military and could not commit to being able to follow through with a case. Fast forward 20 years, I retired from the military and signed up to volunteer. 



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


The most rewarding aspect of being an advocate for me is working within the system to ensure the child/children get all of their physical and emotional needs identified and met while in foster care. Obtaining medical records to ensure the providers’ referrals are being followed. Verifying the child is receiving all recommended therapies and treatments for them to meet physical, emotional, and developmental milestones. I love visiting the children monthly and seeing how they are meeting and exceeding the goals set by their therapists. It is also very rewarding when a case is completed, and everyone is in agreement that the best interests of the child have been met.       


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


Have patience, don’t give up, and document, document, document! The system sometimes seems to work very slowly and terminating parental rights should never be taken lightly, that being said it can get frustrating when you don't see progress being made in the court system. I have been very fortunate to work with excellent case workers and foster parents who have kept me in the loop through phone calls and text messages when there have been changes in the case and keeping updated on doctor appointments and progress in therapies. I keep all text messages and summarize them in my monthly visitation report. If it is something out of the ordinary, like a child being removed from placement or medical incident, I notify my CASA supervisor, child’s attorney and case worker via email in addition to documenting in Optima. This helps me to write a comprehensive and concise court report. 

Story of Hope: Staff Advocate Yvonne and Zoe

By bfines • February 17, 2026
In December 2024, the Department requested TMC for a youth, Zoe, who was found to be homeless after both parents refused to accept parental responsibility. The mother had an extensive CPS history, and the alleged father had CPS history and a criminal history. While in care, life became challenging as Zoe made decisions that jeopardized placement; choosing to skip school, run away from placement, and get arrested for a misdemeanor charge. As a result of these behaviors, the Department placed Zoe in a facility out of state. In August 2025, Staff Advocate, Yvonne, accepted the Crossover Court Case involving Zoe. During the initial Zoom meeting between Yvonne and Zoe, the youth shared her love for sketching, singing, and making people smile. Zoe further shared her hopes and dreams with Yvonne; stating that if parental rights were terminated, she hopes to be adopted by a loving family and wants to pursue her dream of having a career in law enforcement. Recently, Yvonne had the opportunity to visit Zoe at her out-of-state placement, where their conversations were not limited by time on a video call. When Yvonne met Zoe in person, she shared that she couldn’t sleep the morning of Yvonne’s arrival because she feared that Yvonne would be another adult who did not show up for her. Yvonne was able to lay that worry to rest by simply keeping her word, a small act that means the world to the children CASA serves. During the visit, Zoe shared that she wanted to make her CASA proud by improving her school grades, staying out of trouble with peers at placement, and staying busy with extracurricular activities. Yvonne was happy to hear Zoe share her aspirations and encouraged Zoe to continue on this positive path. The conversations about Zoe’s day-to-day happenings in life led her to share the more traumatic events with Yvonne. Yvonne listened and provided a space for Zoe to share what she was comfortable with. Yvonne encouraged Zoe to continue processing her trauma and grief with her therapist and find peace, past the pain of being estranged from her family and individuals whom she trusted. Despite the setbacks Zoe has endured in efforts to restore family connections, Yvonne continues to show up and support Zoe in self-advocating for her educational and placement needs as she approaches adulthood. Zoe’s educational goal is to attend her senior prom and walk across the stage at a public high school to receive her diploma. Most importantly, Zoe hopes to be placed in a Texas foster home where she will be protected, loved, and trusted. Regardless of where life and the case takes Zoe, Yvonne will be there at every turn.

February Advocate Spotlight

By bfines • February 17, 2026
Maquisha Nunn
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