Story of Hope: Illiana
March Advocate Impact Story
Written By: Illiana's Advocate Supervisor
For her first case as a new CASA advocate, Illiana chose to advocate for Michael and Gabriela after she learned about the severe abuse and medical neglect they had suffered. Throughout the case, Illiana advocated diligently for 5-year-old Michael, and 4-year-old Gabriela, primarily focusing on their medical, psychological, and educational needs.
While the children were placed with foster parents, Illiana discovered that the foster parents were giving Michael ADHD medication, although he had never been diagnosed with ADHD. She quickly informed the children’s ad litem and CPS and Michael was promptly taken off the medications. Because of the extensive trauma they had experienced, Illiana advocated for the children to be enrolled in play therapy. After they were placed in therapy, she made sure to maintain consistent communication with the therapist, where she reported her concerns about the children. When the children moved placements, Illiana visited their new schools to ensure they were adjusting well and receiving a good education with any additional support they needed.
"Because of the extensive trauma they had experienced, Illiana advocated for the children to be enrolled in play therapy."
After initially not making any progress toward his court-ordered services, the children’s father announced he would be seeking full custody, and began working on his service plan. He also recommended his grandmother as a potential placement.
Illiana knew it would be a difficult move for Michael and Gabriela since this would be their 5th since entering foster care. She visited the children on a weekly basis, until they were placed with their great-grandmother 250 miles from her, in the aptly named Pharr, TX. Even at this great distance, Illiana continued to support the children. She accompanied the children’s caseworker when they drove to drop the children off at their new home, and then continued to drive the 250 miles on her own to see the children monthly. She also made sure to keep ongoing communication with their caregivers, observed many parent / child visits, and was able to gather valuable information that aided her in her permanency recommendations.
During this chaotic time on the case, Illiana remained steadfastly focused on determining the children’s best interests. She went above and beyond on her case. She interviewed the children, CPS, and the children’s ad litem, kinship placement and foster parents. Her final recommendation about permanency was thoughtful and deliberate, and she was not intimidated by reaching a different conclusion than other parties on her case. The children were permanently placed with their great-grandmother, while the father was granted possessory rights.
Illiana never lost sight of her CASA children, and she always worked diligently to advocate for their best interests. Since she has become an Advocate at CASA, she has completed two cases with a total of five children, and is currently advocating for four children on her third case. Her focus and priority are her CASA children’s well-being, and making sure the court is informed of concerns and recommendations on her case. Since the beginning, Illiana has never shied away from making her voice heard because she recognizes that she represents the voices of her CASA children, and the eyes of the court.
Help us provide more Advocates like Illiana who are willing to go above and beyond to provide a voice for children in foster care.
Fund Their Hope
At CASA, our goal is to serve 100% of the children and families in need experiencing foster care and strong community partnerships help make that possible.
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.
