Advocate Spotlight: Joan Ulsher
December Advocate Interview
1. How long have you been an Advocate and when did you realize you wanted to become one?
I have been a volunteer advocate for one year as of November. I realized I wanted to be an advocate after my husband signed up a couple months before me. I have also been mentoring a young man who aged out of foster care for 9 years now and realized this was the next logical step towards serving children in need. As a foster care alumni myself, I knew that all children need someone to speak up for them. I’m grateful God opened my eyes and heart and revealed that becoming a child advocate was my chosen path and purpose.
2. What is the most rewarding aspect of being an Advocate?
The most rewarding aspect of being an advocate is knowing I am making a positive difference in the kids lives and getting their affirmation for those efforts! Teens can be particular, but I feel like my teens have come a long way in trusting me and that is a powerful responsibility.
3. If you could offer words of encouragement to your fellow and incoming Advocates, what would they be?
New advocates should not be shy. Be sure to question decisions that your training and “gut” are telling you to address. You are the voice for the children you represent and they are counting on you to challenge CPS, the attorneys or even the ADA when there is a specific need that should be addressed. Of course, always keep in contact with your advocate supervisor. Expect that they will want you to be candid with them too. Be sure to come to every discussion, service plan, meeting, or court hearing fully prepared. Know your case backwards and forwards and do additional research on specific needs like special education, developmental milestones, mental health challenges, and trauma based care among others. There’s no limit- it’s all what makes sense to your specific case.
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
