Story of Hope: Cynthia Catlin-Gaskins
January Advocate Impact Story
Written By: Cynthia's Advocate Supervisor
Cynthia Catlin-Gaskins was assigned to a case involving 5 siblings who were removed from their home due to neglect and drug usage. The parents would consistently attend visits, but did not engage in any other services. The youngest child was placed with the paternal grandmother, and the other four children were placed with maternal great grandmother.
From the very beginning Cynthia voiced her concerns regarding the maternal great grandmother placement. She observed that the needs of the children were not being met and that the placement seemed to be constantly at risk of breaking down. CPS ignored the concerns and insisted the placement would provide permanency. Unfortunately, Cynthia's fears were realized when, after parental rights were officially terminated, the maternal great grandmother placement broke down, leaving four children looking for permanency.
The children were split up into multiple foster placements with no permanency in sight. Various family members expressed interest in becoming a placement for the siblings, but CPS was resistant to investigate any of these options due to past history. Cynthia, however, advocated that they at least be considered since there was currently no other permanency options.
For various reasons, none of these placements came to be, but at least two of the children (the two girls) ended up in a foster to adopt home in February 2019. Cynthia started cultivating these adoptive parents so they would also consider taking the two boys. They finally agreed and the boys were placed with their sisters.
As they are getting placed, we received news that the foster mom, who had been laid off of work, just found a new job in North Carolina, so they were going to go through the process of buying a new house in North Carolina and selling their home in San Antonio. They told CPS that they were on a timeline, but they wanted to officially adopt all four children before they left. CPS bureaucracy made it nearly impossible for this family to fulfill the requirements asked for them in order to move with their new family.
Since the girls had been with them longer, they were able to finalize their adoption sooner. The boys' adoption was still pending since they had been only recently been placed with the family, even though they had done multiple sibling visits prior in their home, including overnight stays. Cynthia pushed hard for the two boys not to be left behind in San Antonio, which was what CPS suggested had to happen. CASA even contacted the court manager because the plans for the case would change after every hearing.
Finally, the court summoned CPS program directors, adoption specialists, and every decision maker so they had to explain why the system was getting in the way of permanency. The judge asked them to staff in a conference room, because if they didn’t figure it out, he would. The goal was not to leave those boys behind when the family moved to North Carolina. CPS finally came up with a plan that would ensure all requirements would be met before the family had to travel to North Carolina. The four children are now together in what very soon will become their forever home.
Thanks to Cynthia's persistence, not only was she able to ensure the siblings were adopted together, but she also ensured that the boys didn't experience more trauma in the process.
Help us provide more Advocates like Cynthia who are willing to go above and beyond to provide a voice for children in foster care.
Fund a Hope
In November 2025, Child Protective Services received a referral involving two sisters, ages 13 and 14, who were found caring for themselves. Following the death of their father, the girls experienced ongoing abuse and neglect. They were living in unsafe and unsanitary conditions, frequently left alone without adequate food, functioning plumbing, or consistent supervision, and were exposed to strangers regularly coming in and out of the home. Shortly after removal, Tameka Woolfolk was appointed as the Advocate on the case. From the very beginning, Tameka became one of the few consistent and reliable adults in the girls’ lives. The children experienced and continue to endure placement changes. These frequent transitions created ongoing instability and further complicated the girls’ ability to heal and adjust. Throughout each move, Tameka remained steadily involved, working diligently to ensure that the children’s services and support continued without interruption. She supports the girls not only emotionally, but physically as well helping pack their belongings at each move, accompanying them during school tours, and remaining readily available whenever they need support. Neither child was initially aware that they had the right to speak directly with the judge. Tameka recognized the importance of their voices being heard and with the support of the Ad Litem, helped to facilitate their presence at court, requesting that the judge meet with the girls in a breakout room, so they could personally express their wishes, all with the department, CASA and the Ad Litem by their side. In addition, this case was referred to Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE). During CASA’s ongoing exploration for family connections alongside the Department, Tameka discovered the children’s father’s obituary. Through this discovery, it was learned that the girls’ father had served in the United States Army as a combat medic during the Vietnam War and later worked for 30 years in civil service. Tameka took the initiative to request documentation, including VA records and a death certificate, to determine whether the children might be eligible for survivor benefits. The obituary also revealed that the girls are two of fourteen siblings. While many of the siblings were unable to provide support, CASA and the Department were able to establish contact with one brother. Through Tameka’s strong collaborative relationship with the Department and the Attorney Ad Litem, a thoughtful and appropriate plan was developed to allow the girls to begin visits with their brother, his wife, and their cousins. Although this story is still unfolding, both girls know one unwavering belief, that no matter what comes next, they know that Miss Tameka will continue to stand beside them every step of the way.
Lauren Lynes-Martinez
