Story of Hope: Simeon & Laura Sutton

December Advocate Impact Story
Written By: Simeon & Laura's Advocate Supervisor
Adrian (6) and Evanie (1) were removed from their home due to abuse and neglect. Adrian made an outcry of being slapped by his mother’s boyfriend, but his mother refused to believe it was her boyfriend who cause the mark on his cheek. After an investigation, the Department agreed to refer this case to Family Based Safety Services, who offered the mother services, but she refused to cooperate. As a result, the case was referred to the courts, and both Adrian and Evanie were removed and placed in foster care.   

Mr. and Mrs. Sutton signed up to Advocate for Adrian and Evanie February 2019. They immediately visited the children and reached out to anyone who was currently involved on their case. When they found out that Adrian had had a kindergarten graduation that no one attended, Simeon drove to the school with a big balloon and told him how sorry they were that they didn’t know about his graduation. He just looked at Simeon with a big smile and said, “but YOU CAME!” 
He just looked at Simeon with a big smile and said, “but YOU CAME!”
When the kids were moved to a shelter, their third placement in 7 months, Simeon and Laura were there to transport them. When Adrian started whimpering in fear, they held him and comforted him. Simeon and Laura advocated for Adrian and Evanie to be in the same room while in the shelter, and stayed until they were calm and settled. While the children were at the shelter, Simeon and Laura visited them in person or by phone every day to ensure their needs were being met.  

Not long after the move to the shelter, Simeon and Laura saw a big decline in Adrian’s demeanor and behavior. When the shelter requested the children be moved, they quickly looked into options for the kids. They knew the kids couldn’t emotionally handle another move to a shelter, and advocated for them to live with grandma instead through an expedited home study. Simeon and Laura were able to help the grandmother prepare so the kids could stay with her as a more permanent placement with a goal of reunification. Now, the kids are thriving with grandma and happy to be with family. 

Without Simeon and Laura’s commitment to find family for Adrian and Evanie, the children would have struggled to find permanency and their mother’s rights might have been terminated completely. Thanks to Simeon and Laura, these kids are with family and have achieved permanency.  

Help us provide more Advocates like Simeon & Laura who are willing to go above and beyond to provide a voice for children in foster care.
Fund a Hope
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.
By bfines March 21, 2025
Larry Rushing
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