Advocate Impact: Benny Soto & JoAnn Herring
July Story of Hope
Written By: Benny and JoAnn's Advocate Supervisor
Christina (8), and Anna (7), were brought into care for neglectful supervision, physical abuse and allegations of sexual abuse by mom’s boyfriend. The girls were also found dirty and hungry. Even though the girls were only a year apart, Christina assumed the parental role and protected Anna in any way she could. When they were removed they were placed in an emergency shelter until a maternal aunt was located for placement. Around the 6 month mark of the case the maternal aunt was going back and forth with CPS on if she was going to be able to care for the girls’ long term. JoAnn and Benny assured them that no matter where they were placed their CASA’s would be with them every step of the way. The next month CPS got the call that the aunt could no longer care for them and for the caseworker to go pick up the girls up as soon as possible. At this point in the case there had already been 4 different caseworkers and it was not looking like permanency for these girls was an option. Finally, a foster to adopt placement was identified and the girls were placed almost immediately. CASA made a placement visit to see how the girls were adjusting and they both stated they could see that there was an instant bond between the four of them.
JoAnn and Benny assured them that no matter where they were placed their CASA’s would be with them every step of the way.
Everything seemed to be going great for a few months and the case was nearing the 10-month mark when another Great Aunt, whom the children had never met, came forward and wanted to be considered for placement. When the children got wind of the possibility of being moved again their anxiety went through the roof and they were constantly worried about being ripped out of yet another home and placed with strangers. They had also just gotten over the fact that their previous Aunt did not want them and could no longer care for them. To make matters worse, the case was transferred yet again to another caseworker. Benny and JoAnn remained the one constant on this case and were able to give a bit of background to the new caseworker.
The new caseworker did a preliminary home assessment on the Great Aunt but felt it would be in their best interest if the children stayed with their current foster parents. The CASA’s also expressed that these girls needed permanency as soon as possible and they did not feel it was in their best interest to drag this case on longer that it already had. In the end, the parents’ rights were terminated and the foster family was able to
successfully adopt the girls. Christina was assured that she would no longer have to take care of her sister and that she could just be a kid again.
This family along with Benny and JoAnn will be featured in this year’s
Gallery of Hope.
JoAnn and Benny have successfully completed two cases and are currently working two special requests cases, totaling 6 children all together.
Advocates like JoAnn and Benny are able to make a considerable difference in children's lives through the training and support they receive through CASA. Your gifts make it possible for more compassionate volunteers to be trained. Please consider making a gift
today as we try to ensure that every child who needs an advocate will get one!
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In September 2024, the department first became involved with a family of five following allegations of substance abuse and medical neglect concerning the mother. Child Protective Investigations (CPI) initially sought to keep the family together by implementing a safety plan with fictive kin—a family the mother and children had met during their stay at Haven for Hope. The hope was that this new placement would provide stability for the children while keeping them safely with someone familiar. For a few weeks, it seemed to be working. But on October 29, 2024, the mother told the fictive kin she was going to retrieve her remaining belongings from Haven for Hope—and never returned. From November 2024 through February 2025, CPS continued its efforts to locate her while supporting the kinship placement and meeting the children’s needs. In January 2025, the kinship placement informed the department that she could no longer care for the youngest child, Ava, due to her severe behavioral needs. Faced with these challenges, the department made the difficult decision to file for removal to provide more comprehensive support for the children and the kinship caregivers. Ava was quickly placed in a foster home in February 2025, while her three brothers remained with fictive kin. Around this time, CASA Staff Advocate JoAnn Herring was assigned to the case. By April 2025, safety concerns prompted the immediate removal of the boys. They were placed in an emergency shelter while the department and JoAnn worked tirelessly to explore placing them with their sister in her foster home. Caring for four children is a big ask, especially for new foster parents, but with support from JoAnn and the department, the foster family rose to the challenge. By May 2025, all four siblings were finally reunited under one roof—a first major victory for this family. Even with the siblings together, challenges remained. The children had significant medical and educational needs. Michael, who had experienced medical neglect while in his mother’s care, was diagnosed with Stage 5 chronic kidney disease, requiring frequent doctor visits, hospital stays, and surgery. During these times, JoAnn visited the hospital regularly, offering support and encouragement to both Michael and his foster parents. JoAnn also worked closely with the department and foster family to ensure the other children—Ava, Mateo, and Leo—received the therapeutic and educational support they needed. Through Collaborative Family Engagement meetings, the team created a comprehensive plan addressing the children’s medical, educational, and therapeutic needs, with the goal of preventing placement disruption and ensuring the foster parents felt supported. Today, all four children are enrolled in school with 504 plans in place, and Michael has access to wrap-around medical services—another major triumph. The foster parents now feel confident in their ability to meet the children’s needs, and if the parents remain disengaged, the case may ultimately move toward termination. While that possibility is heartbreaking, the family has a permanent, loving home ready to care for them. Michael, though still facing significant medical challenges, has a strong team advocating for him every step of the way. This story is still unfolding, but it highlights the power of teamwork, advocacy, and dedication in helping children find stability, care, and hope. It’s a reminder of what can be achieved when community, department staff, and CASA advocates go above and beyond to support children and families in need.
Sol Arena Russo
