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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Story of Hope: Staff Advocate JoAnn

By bfines • March 9, 2026
In March 2025, Child Protective Services removed four young children, just 7, 4, 2, and 3 months old, from their mother’s care. This difficult step followed ongoing concerns about neglect, largely connected to the mother’s struggle with substance use, even during her most recent pregnancy. Although CPS offered support through Family Based Safety Services, the mother was unable to engage in the help provided. The children’s father was also unable to support them due to his own substance abuse and his incarceration in Bexar County Jail. Before removal, the children’s basic medical and educational needs were going unmet. They had been moved repeatedly between their mother and other relatives, leaving them without the stability, routine, and nurturing supervision every child deserves.  When CASA Staff Advocate, JoAnn Herring, was assigned the case in April 2025, she immediately reached out to both kinship caregivers to understand the children’s needs and how to best support the families stepping in to care for them. JoAnn quickly learned that the paternal grandmother, who lovingly took in some of the children, was struggling financially and facing barriers due to limited English proficiency. To ensure she wasn’t facing these challenges alone, JoAnn submitted a CFE (Collaborative Family Engagement) referral and personally provided translation support so the grandmother could access services with dignity and understanding. Throughout the case, JoAnn has witnessed moments where cultural sensitivity was lacking, and personal biases influenced important decisions; often at the expense of what was best for the children. Despite these obstacles, she continues to advocate steadfastly and compassionately for the children to remain with the kinship caregivers who have opened their homes and hearts to provide safety, consistency, and love. Although the case is not yet over, Joann’s story demonstrates that CASA’s advocacy reaches beyond the children themselves, strengthening the village of care and support surrounding them, because CASA wants children to be safe, to thrive, and to have their overall well-being protected.

March Advocate Spotlight

By bfines • March 9, 2026
Johnathan Cobb
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