Advocate Spotlight: Andy Ulsher
August Advocate Interview
1. How long have you been an Advocate and when did you realize you wanted to become one?
I realized I was interested in becoming a CASA volunteer after listening to CASA commercials on TV and the radio. I investigated the organization further and decided it was definitely a worthwhile organization that made a huge impact on children in foster care. I attended the CASA orientation class and was sold on becoming an Advocate. I had the time to volunteer and thought my military background would be beneficial in guiding foster children. I wanted to be part of the solution and help children in need.
2. What is the most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate?
Making a difference! No doubt, making a difference in the life of my CASA kids is the most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate. Sometimes it’s just something small, but when you see you’ve made their life better, it’s very rewarding. I’ll never forget meeting a 3-year old boy (this was before COVID-19 protocols) for the first time at his caregivers. They told him a “man” was coming to visit him. From then on whenever I visited “John” he would always come running up to me calling me “the man, the man!” He was well adjusted and always ready to give me hug or hold my hand. Wow, talk about rewarding and impacting my life just as much as I did his! Thankfully, it appears he’ll be reunited with his mother soon, and hopefully continues to thrive.
I have another case with three brothers: 15, 16 and 17 years old. Recently, the oldest graduated from high school and enrolled in Texas A & M University – San Antonio. I got all three enrolled in the College Docket pilot program, and they’re doing great. Mentoring the oldest and preparing him for college was very rewarding. He just moved into the dorm this past weekend. Providing guidance and mentoring his 24-year-old brother and his wife, their caregivers, has also been rewarding. Talk about an act of kindness and generosity for a 24-year old brother, his wife and their two kids to foster three younger brothers! They live in somewhat austere conditions, but the older brother had been trying to care for his brothers for three years. The State moved them around to other relatives and finally approved him. I worked hard to get them approved as a Foster Family, and once approved, it was most rewarding. All of them are doing well and thriving.
3. If you could offer words of encouragement to your fellow and incoming Advocates, what would they be?
Start with an easier case and work your way into more complicated cases as you gain experience as an Advocate. There’s so much to learn as a new Advocate. Rely on your CASA supervisor for guidance and help. Once we get past the COVID-19 issue, reach out to other Advocates and network with them. Learn from them and their cases. Attend the monthly training and events offered by CASA. Remember you are there to “act in the best interest of the children” and that might not be what the caseworker, ad litem, caregiver or others want. Stand up for what you think it right. You get to testify before the Judge on your case and he or she values your opinion. If you’re doing your Advocacy right, you’ve most likely spent more time with the children and know them even better than their caseworker.
In December 2024, CPS received a referral reporting that Demitri and Maria were living under a bridge along with their three children, Santiago, Mary, and Jose. The Department sought removal of the siblings due to numerous concerns including substance use by all members of the family unit, unsanitary living conditions, malnourishment, and other safety risks. It was later discovered that the children had a significant gap in their education and medical care, and that the two oldest children had juvenile justice involvement. The parents also had an extensive history with CPS. A few months after removal, CASA Advocates, Alejandro Trevino and Lauren Wise, were appointed to the case, quickly becoming a consistent and trusted presence in the lives of the Santiago (16), Mary (15), and Jose (13). During their first meeting, the siblings expressed a deep desire to stay together and eventually reunite with their parents, emphasizing that they had always been together as a family. Unfortunately, shortly after that initial encounter, Santiago and Mary were placed in a Residential Treatment Center (RTC) located hours away from Jose. Multiple placement changes followed, creating ongoing instability that further complicated their healing process. From the beginning, the CASA Advocates have worked tirelessly to ensure that the children’s services remain uninterrupted despite the frequent transitions. They continue to collaborate with CPS, the children’s attorney ad litem, and various placements to ensure the siblings’ voices are heard and their best interests prioritized. Alejandro and Lauren attend every staffing, court hearing, service plan meeting, and Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) meeting while always advocating for stability, connection, and permanency. Understanding the critical importance of sibling relationships, the advocates made it their mission to preserve the children’s bond. They arranged for regular sibling contact, both virtually and in-person, overcoming logistical challenges caused by distance and restrictive placement protocols. At one point, Alejandro and Lauren personally facilitated a sibling visit, traveling a total of 638 miles to ensure the children could spend the time together. It was a powerful act of care, giving the siblings a moment of normalcy and joy in an otherwise turbulent time. For nearly the entirety of the case, the children have been separated from one another and far from their hometown. In the face of prolonged separation, instability, and emotional distress, Alejandro and Lauren’s efforts have played a key role in preserving the siblings’ emotional connection and sense of family. Because of their unwavering commitment, the siblings are now living in the same city again and are showing improvement in their academics and health. While the future remains uncertain and family reunification is still unclear, the advocates continue to hold hope that the siblings can at least be reunited with one another and return to San Antonio. This story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of tremendous challenges, the love between siblings and the dedication of caring advocates can foster hope, healing, and the promise of a brighter future.
Deborah Hom
