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: Nanette Hall

By bfines • November 20, 2025
During their TMC case, Nanette was assigned to two young ladies who shared a deep and loving bond with their toddler brother, who had been removed under a separate case. Recognizing that these young ladies had taken on caretaker roles for their brother, Nan wanted their visits to be safe, joyful, and centered around sibling connection rather than responsibility. Understanding the importance of preserving this relationship, Nan amplified the girls’ voices and advocated for consistent, meaningful visits while separate permanency options were being explored. She collaborated closely with the younger brother’s adoptive placement, the girls’ group home, and later their foster placement to create opportunities for the siblings to spend quality time together. When Nan was later assigned to the younger brother’s case during PMC, she was finally able to personally ensure that all three children shared visits outside of the CPS office—providing natural, family-centered experiences that strengthened their bond. Despite the children being on different permanency tracks, living in three separate placements, and facing numerous setbacks, Nan’s commitment to maintaining their connection never wavered. Eventually, the youngest child was adopted. Thanks to the strong, trusting relationship Nan had built with his adoptive family, she was able to continue arranging sibling visits even after his adoption was finalized. Nan coordinated fun, family-oriented outings where the children could enjoy time together and simply be siblings. Soon after, the middle child was also adopted. Nan ensured that all siblings were present to celebrate these important milestones in each other’s lives. She continues to organize opportunities for the siblings to connect and advocates for the oldest youth, who plans to transition out of foster care when they are older. Nan’s focus has always been on the well-being of the children. Despite challenges and complex case dynamics, she remained steadfast in ensuring that the children’s needs and wishes guided every decision. Her dedication to preserving the sibling bond demonstrates her deep understanding of how essential family connection is to achieve true permanency and emotional stability.

November Advocate Spotlight

By bfines • November 20, 2025
Natalie Rodriguez
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