Story of Hope: Sandra Lopez

Story of Hope: Sandra Lopez

Martin’s story is one of HOPE…his hope to have a voice; his hope to be loved and his hope to have a forever family. 


In early 2022, CASA was asked by the Court to look at this particular case, as the child’s needs were extensive and complex. Child Protective Services (CPS) has had Permanent Managing Conservatorship of Martin since August 2019. This child’s siblings had been adopted and Martin remained. A potential adoptive family from another state came to meet Martin and after one hour with him, withdrew their interest. 


After reading the case details, it was evident that Martin needed a special CASA Advocate. 


Advocate Sandra Lopez signed on to the case in April 2022 and Martin now had a voice. Martin is 6 years old and has autism, is nonverbal and has a significant cognitive deficit.  Martin also has an unusual perseveration of severe banging of the head, and this had been reported since he entered CPS care when he was very young. 


Sandra met Martin and his caregivers at his therapeutic foster home shortly after signing on to the case. Her impacts were evident right from the start. Not only was she the voice for Martin; she was the supportive voice for the caregivers even attending medical appointments at the request of the caregivers. She was instrumental in her educational advocacy efforts and the impacts were immediate. The caregivers faced numerous barriers with the school and were unable to get Martin the support and services he needed. That is until Sandra came onboard. Her professional background in Special Education was a huge asset in getting Martin all the services he needed and deserved. 


Unfortunately, Martin’s behaviors in the foster home placement escalated and a change was necessary. Martin was transitioned to a treatment center more than two hours away from San Antonio. That distance did not stop Sandra. She was in contact with his new placement shortly after he arrived and was able to participate in his transfer ARD (educational) and provide insight. In person visits offered Sandra the opportunity to observe Martin both in school and in his home environment and make herself available to the team caring for Martin. She is his voice. 


Sandra has seen a huge positive transformation with Martin and her fierce advocacy efforts have paid off.  Martin has a voice, he is loved by many, and the hope and plan is for him to return to his former foster home where, when CASA Advocate, Sandra Lopez, is no longer on the case, Martin will have the VOICE, LOVE and FOREVER FAMILY that he hoped for.   

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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