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
Emily Benedict: Championing College Dreams for Youth in Care Emily Benedict has always believed deeply in the power of higher education and has a passion for making college access a reality—especially for youth in foster care. When she expressed interest in taking on a second CASA case, she was clear about her goal: she wanted to work with a youth on the college docket, helping them navigate the complex path toward applying to and enrolling in college. In August of last year, Emily was matched with a 16-year-old youth living at Connections in New Braunfels. The teen had spent several years in care, with her parents’ rights terminated and a previous kinship placement having broken down. Though she had two siblings, she was no longer in contact with them. From their first meeting, a strong connection grew between Emily and her youth—especially during a Clifton Strengths event hosted at CASA. As the school year kicked off, Emily quickly stepped in to advocate for her youth’s education. She connected with school counselors, began tracking her youth’s grades and attendance, and stepped up when she learned the teen was failing two classes due to a lack of access to technology. Emily secured a Chromebook and printer through CASA, ensuring her youth had the tools to succeed. With weekly check-ins, academic encouragement, and consistent support, her youth turned things around—eventually getting back on track to graduate a year early . Knowing college was the goal, Emily helped prepare her youth for the journey ahead. She shared opportunities for SAT prep, researched application deadlines, supported her through the FAFSA process, and made sure every college application was submitted on time. She also enrolled her in the PAL program, arranged campus tours, and even ensured she had the required immunizations for enrollment. Emily didn’t stop there—she helped her youth open a bank account and advocated tirelessly with the caseworker to get her into a driver’s ed program. Throughout the year, Emily also supported her youth emotionally. She helped her process complex feelings about being separated from her siblings and successfully facilitated a visit—opening the door to renewed phone and virtual contact. Just weeks before graduation, the youth’s placement at her residential facility fell through, and she began couch-surfing with friends. Emily didn’t miss a beat. She stayed in close contact with the youth’s support team—including her caseworker, attorney, and college docket facilitators—keeping everyone updated and focused on solutions. She explored housing options, called multiple facilities, and even reached out to colleges to see if the teen could move into a dorm early. Though dorms were restricted to 18+, Emily remained determined. She arranged a meeting between the teen and Judge Montemayor, who encouraged her to finish her final week of school and graduate—assuring her of continued support while placement was pending. Soon after, Emily discovered Lifeworks in Austin, a program offering housing, counseling, education, and workforce support. She helped secure a spot, drove her youth around town to collect belongings, and personally transported her on move-in day—returning the next day to check in. Emily proudly attended the teen’s graduation at the end of May. She is now helping her enroll in an online course for the fall semester, giving her a head start on college before she turns 18 in November and transitions into a Supervised Independent Living (SIL) dorm. Through every setback and success, Emily has remained a steady, empowering force—amplifying her youth’s voice, championing her goals, and proving the life-changing impact of one dedicated CASA volunteer.
Sherri Lee Boos
