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.

Meet Our Staff Advocates!

June 17, 2026
Pictured, left to right, JoAnn, Yvonne, Lorena, Mackenzie, Michelle, Stephanie, and Dan At CASA, our vision is to serve every child in foster care with a dedicated advocate. While an incredible volunteer serves most children, our new team of Staff Advocates helps expand our capacity to serve children with extremely challenging cases. Staff Advocates help fill critical gaps by taking on cases that often require more intensive coordination and support. These may include larger sibling groups, children with multiple placements, cases connected to specialty courts, or youth placed outside of Bexar County, sometimes even in other cities or states. By supporting these more complex situations, Staff Advocates ensure that children still receive consistent advocacy and attention when additional time or specialized support is needed. Our team includes six Staff Advocates and one Team Lead, all trained employees who work directly with children and families involved in the child welfare system. Thanks to funding from Bexar County and the John R. & Greli N. Less Charitable Trust , the Staff Advocate program has served 126 children in the past year who might not otherwise have had CASA’s brand of consistent, caring advocacy. We are also delighted to announce funding from National CASA/GAL Association to partially support the program in the coming year. In addition to their casework, our Staff Advocates support the Recruitment Department by helping raise awareness about advocacy opportunities in the community. Because they work directly with children and the court system, they bring valuable, real-life insight into what advocacy truly looks like. Staff Advocates have joined the recruitment team at several community events, including Coffee Shop Info Sessions, Comic Con, Faith-based markets, and National Night Out. At these events, they answer questions, share their experiences, and help potential volunteers better understand what it means to advocate for a child in foster care. They bring a firsthand perspective full of authenticity and impact for those considering becoming CASA volunteers. Impact in the Community During our past fiscal year starting July 2025, our Staff Advocates have served 126 children, including 23 children who were placed outside of Bexar County. Since its inception in January 2025, the team’s work has contributed to several meaningful outcomes for children and youth, including: 6 successful reunifications with parents , impacting 16 children 2 adoptions , providing permanent homes for 4 children 2 permanency placements for long-term care , supporting 4 children 1 successful transition into adulthood , where a young person is now attending college, employed, and living independently in her own apartment 6 college-bound students supported These outcomes reflect the dedication and commitment our Staff Advocates bring to every case they serve. Thank you, Staff Advocate Team! If you are interested in learning more about becoming a CASA advocate or attending an upcoming information session, we invite you to connect with our Recruitment Team and discover how you can make a difference in a child’s life.

Story of Hope: Staff Advocate Michelle

June 8, 2026
Harrison came into care in January 2021 due to abuse and neglect in the home. The department attempted to implement a few safety plans but to no avail. Ultimately, the parents were unable and unwilling to provide him with a safe and stable home environment, and Harrison was placed into foster care. In June 2025, Staff Advocate, Michelle, was assigned to the case, and he was living with his aunt in Laredo, TX. From day one, Michelle has been dedicated to getting to know Harrison, establishing rapport, and building trust. She would take the time to listen to him and get to know his likes and interests. When she first met him, he was timid and shy but as he gained confidence and became more comfortable, he started to open up to Michelle. He started advocating for himself, asking for a new charger for his laptop to do his schoolwork and started to disclose more important topics such as sensitive issues he was facing with his family. In October 2025, while Michelle was heading to Laredo to visit Harrison, he called her to let her know that he was no longer allowed back into his aunt’s home. There was a placement breakdown happening due to a verbal/physical altercation with his aunt and other family members, and his aunt gave notice to the department that day. Upon arrival at Laredo, Michelle immediately called Harrison’s case worker and attorney to let them know what had just transpired. Due to Harrison being 18 and not officially in extended care, Michelle was met with some pushbacks; however, she persevered and asked what his options were, if any, and how we could help him. Harrison’s team worked together and was able to get the extended care paperwork drafted and completed and Michelle was able to brainstorm with Harrison to find him a temporary home with a close friend until his caseworker could bring him back to San Antonio. Michelle took Harrison to his aunt’s so he could pack his belongings and stay with his friend temporarily. Michelle was so thankful that she could be there for him in his time of need. A few days later, Harrison was back in San Antonio. Harrison is currently thriving in his Supervised Independent Living (SIL) placement and is on track to graduate high school in May. He has plans to attend college for Cosmetology. He has had a tremendous change in his overall mood and is coming into his own as a confident young adult. When asked by Michelle how he feels being at his current placement, his response was “safe” and that’s all Michelle needed to hear to know she was making a positive impact.
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