Story of Hope: Benny and Joann

Benny and JoAnn became advocates in May of 2017.  They signed on to their seventh case in January of 2023. This case was a special request made by the Judge and CPS. The children were brought into care for neglectful supervision and the parent’s drug use. Kayla is 10, Kenny is 8 and Kyle is 4. This would be the 3rd legal case these children had to experience. Benny and JoAnn made their introductions and met with the caseworker, Amanda, to get a little backstory as she had been the caseworker in their last legal case. Amanda is amazing and cares for these children like they were her own. She also knows what they have been through and was able to provide details about their history to the advocates which allotted them a better understanding on what these children had been through.

             

At the start of the case the children were bounced around from fictive kin to shelter to RTC and back to shelter. At times the children had to be separated due the boys severely triggering each other’s behavior. In all the placements the children were at, Benny and JoAnn made sure they visited more than once a month to gain their trust and connect with them. They brought them items from the CASA office and even purchased items out of their own pocket so the children had a sense of normalcy.  The case was even referred to CFE, Collaborate Family Engagement, as there was no placement or permanency for these children. CASA, CPS, the ad litem and the GAL all came together for multiple meetings to discuss possible family or friend connections. Only one family member was identified but only wanted Kenny placed with her. This placement did not last but one month and we closed CFE as all other relatives had either CPS or criminal history. Throughout this time the mother had been in and out of inpatient and outpatient services and the father had stopped communication with CPS and CASA. At this time the parents have not been consistent nor shown they are capable of change and supporting their children.

             

Currently all three children are separated; Kayla is in an emergency shelter and the two boys are in separate therapeutic foster homes out of the region.  Although this is not the ideal situation for siblings to be separated, this is the best decision at this time. The children are learning about structure, consistency, and healthy relationships for the first time in their lives. They are getting the 1:1 attention they so desperately needed and are finally learning how to be a child. Benny and JoAnn drove up to see the siblings together and were able to confirm that this is where they need to be. We are set for trial next month. Everyone who knows this case knows we have a long way to go but I am so confident that these children will get their happy ending because they have such amazing advocates cheering them on and constantly reminding them that they are loved. Benny and JoAnn will fight for them and be the voice they until permanency is achieved.

Story of Hope: Staff Advocate JoAnn

By bfines • October 15, 2025
In September 2024, the department first became involved with a family of five following allegations of substance abuse and medical neglect concerning the mother. Child Protective Investigations (CPI) initially sought to keep the family together by implementing a safety plan with fictive kin—a family the mother and children had met during their stay at Haven for Hope. The hope was that this new placement would provide stability for the children while keeping them safely with someone familiar. For a few weeks, it seemed to be working. But on October 29, 2024, the mother told the fictive kin she was going to retrieve her remaining belongings from Haven for Hope—and never returned. From November 2024 through February 2025, CPS continued its efforts to locate her while supporting the kinship placement and meeting the children’s needs. In January 2025, the kinship placement informed the department that she could no longer care for the youngest child, Ava, due to her severe behavioral needs. Faced with these challenges, the department made the difficult decision to file for removal to provide more comprehensive support for the children and the kinship caregivers. Ava was quickly placed in a foster home in February 2025, while her three brothers remained with fictive kin. Around this time, CASA Staff Advocate JoAnn Herring was assigned to the case. By April 2025, safety concerns prompted the immediate removal of the boys. They were placed in an emergency shelter while the department and JoAnn worked tirelessly to explore placing them with their sister in her foster home. Caring for four children is a big ask, especially for new foster parents, but with support from JoAnn and the department, the foster family rose to the challenge. By May 2025, all four siblings were finally reunited under one roof—a first major victory for this family. Even with the siblings together, challenges remained. The children had significant medical and educational needs. Michael, who had experienced medical neglect while in his mother’s care, was diagnosed with Stage 5 chronic kidney disease, requiring frequent doctor visits, hospital stays, and surgery. During these times, JoAnn visited the hospital regularly, offering support and encouragement to both Michael and his foster parents. JoAnn also worked closely with the department and foster family to ensure the other children—Ava, Mateo, and Leo—received the therapeutic and educational support they needed. Through Collaborative Family Engagement meetings, the team created a comprehensive plan addressing the children’s medical, educational, and therapeutic needs, with the goal of preventing placement disruption and ensuring the foster parents felt supported. Today, all four children are enrolled in school with 504 plans in place, and Michael has access to wrap-around medical services—another major triumph. The foster parents now feel confident in their ability to meet the children’s needs, and if the parents remain disengaged, the case may ultimately move toward termination. While that possibility is heartbreaking, the family has a permanent, loving home ready to care for them. Michael, though still facing significant medical challenges, has a strong team advocating for him every step of the way. This story is still unfolding, but it highlights the power of teamwork, advocacy, and dedication in helping children find stability, care, and hope. It’s a reminder of what can be achieved when community, department staff, and CASA advocates go above and beyond to support children and families in need.

October Advocate Spotlight

By bfines • October 15, 2025
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