Story of Hope: Ida
September Advocate Impact Story
Written By: Ida's Advocate Supervisor
From the moment that Ida Sudolcan signed onto her first case back in April of 2019, she has not stopped advocating for the best interest of the five children on her case. As the children came into CPS care, the case immediately evolved as many concerns with the children became evident. There were medical needs to be met, educational concerns, and placement and permanency issues to contend with. All the while Ida persisted in addressing each issue with a constant focus on the best interest of the children.
Because this was a large sibling group with varied ages, alongside the therapeutic needs of one of the siblings, placing the children together was challenging. Ida worked diligently to identify family members that could potentially accommodate the placement of all five children, but because none were identified, the children were placed together in a shelter. Ida maintained contact with the children’s caseworker and continuously advocated for the children to be moved into a nurturing and loving home. Foster homes were eventually identified, but the siblings were not placed together. Despite the children’s separation, Ida helped to make the transition as smooth as possible for them.
"During this latest COVID-19 move, Ida was creative and set up Zoom meetings for the children prior to the move, so they could virtually meet their new foster parents before arriving in person."
Since their time in foster care, the children have been repeatedly moved, but Ida was there to assist through every single transitions. During this latest COVID-19 move, Ida was creative and set up Zoom meetings for the children prior to the move, so they could virtually meet their new foster parents before arriving in person.
COVID-19 protocols have not allowed Ida to have face-to-face interactions with the children, but she has regular contact with them via Zoom and phone calls. She has also been able to do “porch drop offs” to help bring needed items. In addition to maintaining regular and creative contact with the children, Ida also tracks the progress of their parents in complying with their court-ordered services. At this point in Ida’s case, the children’s parents have not yet successfully addressed the concerns of CPS, so the children remain in their foster care placements. Finding a forever home for these children remains the urgent and essential priority on this case. While a home has been identified for the youngest children, the oldest child was recently placed in a shelter. Per her usual practice, Ida is actively working to advocate for him, by attending court staffings to discuss placement options and communicating with his caseworker to find him a forever home.
"Ida has been there for them every step of the way."
Throughout the children’s experience in foster care, Ida has been their one constant. They have moved and changed schools multiple times, they have been assigned two different case workers, multiple case managers, and several different counselors. Throughout the many changes and the adjustments, they have benefitted immensely from having Ida listen to them, support them, and advocate for them. Her advocacy is now more essential than ever. These children have struggled through so much this year and Ida has been there for them every step of the way. Ida has done her best to make sure that they have the best care and the best possible outcomes. She is their familiar face and she provides them HOPE.
Help us provide more Advocates like Ida who are willing to go above and beyond even in the midst of crisis to provide a voice for children in foster care.
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