Story of Hope: Ebony
November Advocate Impact Story
Advocate Natalie Mohler was assigned to Ebony in November of 2018 and stayed on as her advocate through October of 2020. Natalie was a constant throughout the many changes Ebony had in her life. Ebony came into the care of CPS when her father asked CPS for help dealing with Ebony’s erratic behaviors. It was discovered during this case that Ebony’s father contributed to many of Ebony’s unstable behaviors. The advocate maintained contact with all parties (father, caregivers/case managers) and reviewed documents throughout the CPS case. She coordinated with the parties on services and findings and exceeded the expectations of a CASA advocate throughout her case.
Natalie noted discrepancies in the CPS file and advocated for a review of the child’s paperwork to ensure proper placement. Some previous paperwork stated that Ebony was autistic, but this diagnosis had been ruled out by medical professionals in the past. This case review led to a closer and less restrictive placement. Natalie shined in the area of medical advocacy- she consistently communicated important information about medical follow-up appointments related to asthma and pre-existing conditions with the ad litem attorney for child, CPS and the father’s attorney. All of her findings were reported and considered during the court hearing. She made contact with former daycare teachers and maternal grandparents to gain a full picture of the family and life before CPS became involved with this family. Natalie demonstrated during a difficult case that she is very intuitive and handles conflict well. She remained professional even when things became tense. She experienced barriers and challenges but remained consistent in her goal; advocating for the best interest of the child.
During this case, Ebony was placed in eight placements and had five different caseworkers. Natalie was able to provide information to provide continuity for Ebony, despite all of the changes. Natalie was ESSENTIAL and a constant on this case that kept the caseworkers apprised of Ebony’s needs and the history of her case. She made recommendations that were helpful to the caseworkers and contributed to the successful outcome of this case. She testified about her firsthand knowledge of the case, based on her direct observations of Ebony and her father. Understandably, she developed a great bond with the Ebony and earned the respect of all parties. I am proud to say that Ebony now lives in her forever home and she has been adopted. She is thriving and her behaviors have stabilized now that she has normalcy, a consistent routine and permanency.
Courtney Turner, Advocate Supervisor
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
