Advocate Impact: Russell Oldmixon
February CASA Advocate Spotlight
Written By: Russel's Advocate Supervisor
Russell Oldmixon took his oath in February 2018 and immediately began his work with two children. The children had been placed in two separate placements and within two weeks, Russell had already contacted the caregivers and children. Russell has been very proactive in working with the children and all parties in the case. His Saturdays consist of attending parent/child visits and sibling visits. He is very attentive to family dynamics and how the children respond to each other and to their mother.
Russell has also made sure the children have adequate clothing by taking them to SA Threads. He consults with the children’s therapists on a regular basis and is very persistent in getting a response back from each therapist on the progress of each child. He has been able to relate some very important information regarding behaviors he himself has witnessed or has been informed of. When appropriate, he has advocated for CASA to assist in alternative forms of therapy such as Tae Kwon Do for one of the children. In addition, he advocated for the oldest child’s therapy to resume after a change in placement and was successful in getting it restarted. During the summer, he transported the oldest child to and from Boys & Girls Club to make sure she was getting appropriate socialization with peers her age.
(Russell) consults with the children’s therapists on a regular basis and is very persistent in getting a response back from each therapist on the progress of each child.
In meeting with children on a weekly basis, he makes it a point to take them on educational outings, such as to the library where they participated in the summer reading program. One of the most important outings would be to the zoo; neither child had ever been, so he took each and spent the day one-on-one. He brought the youngest to CASA’s Fall Festival and assisted in making their Halloween costumes. He made sure the oldest attended UTSA College Day, and often takes both for ice cream.
Russell also maintains weekly communication with the children’s teachers and school counselors. He made it a point to visit with the oldest child’s counselor when her placement changed because he was concerned that she might struggle with the change. When her placement changed, he assisted and made sure the transition was as smooth as possible. When he visits, he takes flash cards and other educational games with him. Russell keeps the Ad Litem updated on the children, sharing both positive fun experiences they've had along with his concerns. He has established a great relationship with all involved in the case. Russell has gone above and beyond his role as a CASA, he has dedicated his time to these children and truly “has their back” (as he says).
In March 2025, Child Protective Services removed four young children, just 7, 4, 2, and 3 months old, from their mother’s care. This difficult step followed ongoing concerns about neglect, largely connected to the mother’s struggle with substance use, even during her most recent pregnancy. Although CPS offered support through Family Based Safety Services, the mother was unable to engage in the help provided. The children’s father was also unable to support them due to his own substance abuse and his incarceration in Bexar County Jail. Before removal, the children’s basic medical and educational needs were going unmet. They had been moved repeatedly between their mother and other relatives, leaving them without the stability, routine, and nurturing supervision every child deserves. When CASA Staff Advocate, JoAnn Herring, was assigned the case in April 2025, she immediately reached out to both kinship caregivers to understand the children’s needs and how to best support the families stepping in to care for them. JoAnn quickly learned that the paternal grandmother, who lovingly took in some of the children, was struggling financially and facing barriers due to limited English proficiency. To ensure she wasn’t facing these challenges alone, JoAnn submitted a CFE (Collaborative Family Engagement) referral and personally provided translation support so the grandmother could access services with dignity and understanding. Throughout the case, JoAnn has witnessed moments where cultural sensitivity was lacking, and personal biases influenced important decisions; often at the expense of what was best for the children. Despite these obstacles, she continues to advocate steadfastly and compassionately for the children to remain with the kinship caregivers who have opened their homes and hearts to provide safety, consistency, and love. Although the case is not yet over, Joann’s story demonstrates that CASA’s advocacy reaches beyond the children themselves, strengthening the village of care and support surrounding them, because CASA wants children to be safe, to thrive, and to have their overall well-being protected.
Johnathan Cobb
