Advocate Spotlight: Janice and Jeffrey Ivey
January Advocate Interview
1. How long have you been an Advocate and when did you realize you wanted to become one?
We became advocates in May 2019 after completing our training. We had been looking for an opportunity to serve our community, now that our kids are grown. We can’t think of anything more important than working towards being a positive influence in the lives of children who have been in terrible situations. After getting information on CASA and attending the first training class, we knew we had found the right organization.
2. What is the most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate?
It’s seeing the difference that your efforts can make in the lives of the children you’re working with. Working with CPS, their schools, and the foster parents on plans and strategies so they can learn and prosper is extremely rewarding. And identifying opportunities for them-learning about their prior family experiences prior to CPS custody and turning previously negative experiences into positive ones. The progress that the children are making in school, for example, is definitely rewarding, and learning about things they want to do. When a child opens up to you, you know you’ve gained their trust and few things are as satisfying as that.
3. If you could offer words of encouragement to your fellow and incoming Advocates, what would they be?
Develop a strong, positive relationship with your CPS caseworker. Realize that your CPS caseworker has multiple cases and doesn’t have a CASA on all of them, so any way you can help them out goes a long way. We would not have made the same progress without our caseworker’s assistance and guidance. Verify, verify, verify-verify everything you are told, by both the children and the parents. We’ve discovered huge inconsistencies between things the biological parents have reported and what the children themselves saw or experienced. And realize that little things that you might not think are important can be critically important to the development of the child. Never assume anything-one of our kids told us that she hadn’t gone to see Santa Claus before Christmas because “it costs money to do that”. Always look for successes to celebrate-whether it’s a grade at school, learning to read, riding a bike-remember that in many cases, children put into CPS care have never had that before. But most importantly, be present-parental visits, school events, etc.- and be there for your kids-the more they see you, the more comfortable they will be and the more confident they will become.
In April 2023, Child Protective Services received a referral reporting that two sisters, ages 15 and 16, were being held at the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center following a family altercation. Mother informed the department that she did not have a place for the girls to be released, and they were subsequently placed in an emergency shelter. Mother was asked if she would attend the court hearing and stated that she would not. Although both sisters were released to Mother from the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center, Mother refused to pick them up. There were no relatives or family friends willing to provide placement for the girls, and Mother stated that she wanted to voluntarily sign over her parental rights. Stephanie was assigned as the CASA Staff Advocate in May 2025. By this time, both sisters had experienced multiple placements. The older sister was 18 years old, enrolled in College Docket, and preparing to graduate from high school. The younger sister was 17 years old and residing at the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center. Although the sisters were on different paths, they remained emotionally connected and struggled with maintaining contact due to their circumstances. CASA attended the older sister’s high school graduation and the graduation celebration that followed. CASA assisted her with completing all required paperwork and testing necessary for college enrollment. Additionally, CASA supported her in moving into her first apartment, helping her get settled and navigate the challenges of early adulthood. While the younger sister was residing at the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center, CASA met with her shortly after assignment and introduced herself. The younger sister was later transferred to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD). CASA continued to maintain contact despite challenges related to TJJD policies and procedures. CASA established a positive and consistent point of contact, worked to understand TJJD visitation processes, gathered relevant information, maintained communication with the youth, and actively worked to schedule sibling visitation. CASA has remained a consistent and reliable support system for the older sister as she transitions into adulthood. The youth frequently contacts CASA for guidance and assistance with everyday questions, and CASA continues to provide support. The older sister is currently passing all of her college courses, earning straight A’s, and is actively seeking employment. For the younger sister, CASA remains in close communication with TJJD case managers. CASA provides ongoing support through in-person visits every three months and monthly video calls. CASA is also gathering clothing, legal documentation, and preparing a comprehensive resource packet to support the younger sister upon her release. Through every challenge this case brings, Stephanie will stand beside these sisters, offering unwavering support and encouragement as they discover their strength and reach their full potential.
Joy Varner
