May Story of Hope: Devin's Journey with Adriana's Help
Advocate Impact Story
CASA advocates that are assigned to Youth engaged in the College Docket Program have been collaborating with service providers, CPS, schools, and caregivers to ensure our Youths’ goals of higher education are supported and realized. Of the 80% Foster Youth who indicate they want to attend college, only 2-4% graduate with at least an Associate’s degree. Bexar County Fostering Educational Success Program has identified support networks to ensure our Foster Youth in Bexar County have access to higher education and are supported on campus to complete their degree of choice.
Less than one month after Devin was on-boarded to the College Docket program, Advocate, Adriana Krupka was assigned and ready to work with him towards his goal of higher education. Working with her Advocate Supervisor, Adriana identified that she would be a support for Devin and advocate for his educational needs and goals—both short and long term.
Within a month, Adriana had made connections with Devin’s summer school program and head counselor to assess his situation and create a plan for success. During this pandemic, Devin, like most of the children and youth we serve, struggled with distance learning. Devin went from good grades, to failing many. When the information Adriana had gathered from these school officials were reported to court during the College Docket hearings, the court agreed that an Educational Advocate Attorney be appointed to ensure Devin was receiving any and all services through the school to bring his grades back up and retain them.
During these College Docket hearings, our Youth are expected to be present and have the floor to speak to Judge about their educational goals, current situations, and bring up any barriers they may have in realizing these goals. Adriana created a safe space during these hearings to allow Devin to bring up—in his own words—what he needs; to advocate for himself. He needed to continue credit recovery, and wanted to have the opportunity to study the SAT before taking the test.
Another point of advocacy that was so important to Devin’s future was his legal permanency. CPS had planned to transfer guardianship to Devin’s foster parents prior to him turning 18. Since Devin had been in foster care since 2018, his Advocate Adriana and College Docket supported a different goal: aging out of care. This was advocated for in order that Devin receive all due benefits from his time in care to aging out, his Educational Tuition Voucher (free tuition to in-state public universities and colleges). This was able to be achieved in collaboration with his placement, CPS, CASA, and the Court.
At age 18, Devin decided with his support team to Age Out of the foster care system. Although he is no longer under the care of CPS, he (and others in similar situations) are able to continue through college (UTSA) with the support of Bexar County College Docket Aftercare Program (attending lunches with Judge, financial and resource support through Bexar County College Docket), and the on-campus resource centers available at each college or university in Bexar County under the direction of Bexar County Fostering Educational Success Program.
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
