Story of Hope: Jeff & Janice Ivey
November Advocate Impact Story
Written By: Jeff & Janice's Advocate Supervisor
In May 2019, a month after Jeff and Janice Ivey became CASA Advocates, they met with their supervisor to discuss what their first case would be. After expressing interest in advocating for a large sibling group, they were placed on a case with six children, ages ranging from 1-13 years old.
Jeff and Janice hit the ground running and immediately began to gather information. At this time, the children were in two different placements. Five were placed at the Children’s Shelter, and one was with his biological father. The Ivey’s visited the children regularly and quickly built a bond with each of them. They maintained contact with the CPS Caseworker, the kids’ Case Manager, the parents, and others who could offer insight to what the children had experienced. Additionally, they obtained all medical, dental, and educational records to review and determine the best way to assist these children.
[Jeff and Janice] maintained contact with the CPS Caseworker, the kids’ Case Manager, the parents, and others who could offer insight to what the children had experienced.
Jeff and Janice recognized the importance of both individual outings with the children as well as smaller sibling visits to allow the children an opportunity to bond with them and with each other. Approximately one month into the case, the CPS Caseworker sent an email to their CASA Supervisor describing the positive impacts they had already made, and what a pleasure it had been to work with Jeff and Janice.
During one visit, Jeff noticed that the little boy living with his father was complaining of back pain. Jeff inquired and soon discovered that the boy did not have a mattress. He had been sleeping on a box spring with a few pillows. Jeff immediately called his CASA Supervisor and together went into action. Within the same week, they were able to find and deliver a gently used twin sized bed with brand new sheets for the boy to sleep on. Jeff was beaming with excitement when he told his Supervisor how thankful the little boy was when he received the bed and expressed how he had “never had a real bed before.” The father of the young boy was equally as thankful. He stated that he was doing the best he could for his son, but that the bed was something that he had not been able to afford.
Jeff inquired and soon discovered that the boy did not have a mattress. He had been sleeping on a box spring with a few pillows.
Meanwhile, the other five children, who had been at the shelter, were now placed in two different foster homes. Jeff and Janice observed that the older girls were drastically behind in their education, and so made sure to provide special care and attention when it was time for the children to attend school. They accompanied all the children when they were being registered at their individual schools, and made it a priority to advocate and secure tutoring for the children. Janice even takes the time to transport the oldest child back and forth each day to the school she was in before entering foster care so she can maintain some normality in her life. They continue to be present at every parent / teacher conference and parental visitation to ensure that the children are never alone.
Jeff and Janice have encouraged these children and have given them hope. The parents have even asked them if they would remain in contact with the family, once permanency has been determined. We are grateful for Jeff and Janice and all they have done and continue to do on behalf of their CASA kids!
Help us provide more Advocates like Jeff and Janice who are willing to go above and beyond to provide a voice for children in foster care.
Fund a Hope
In December 2024, CPS received a referral reporting that Demitri and Maria were living under a bridge along with their three children, Santiago, Mary, and Jose. The Department sought removal of the siblings due to numerous concerns including substance use by all members of the family unit, unsanitary living conditions, malnourishment, and other safety risks. It was later discovered that the children had a significant gap in their education and medical care, and that the two oldest children had juvenile justice involvement. The parents also had an extensive history with CPS. A few months after removal, CASA Advocates, Alejandro Trevino and Lauren Wise, were appointed to the case, quickly becoming a consistent and trusted presence in the lives of the Santiago (16), Mary (15), and Jose (13). During their first meeting, the siblings expressed a deep desire to stay together and eventually reunite with their parents, emphasizing that they had always been together as a family. Unfortunately, shortly after that initial encounter, Santiago and Mary were placed in a Residential Treatment Center (RTC) located hours away from Jose. Multiple placement changes followed, creating ongoing instability that further complicated their healing process. From the beginning, the CASA Advocates have worked tirelessly to ensure that the children’s services remain uninterrupted despite the frequent transitions. They continue to collaborate with CPS, the children’s attorney ad litem, and various placements to ensure the siblings’ voices are heard and their best interests prioritized. Alejandro and Lauren attend every staffing, court hearing, service plan meeting, and Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) meeting while always advocating for stability, connection, and permanency. Understanding the critical importance of sibling relationships, the advocates made it their mission to preserve the children’s bond. They arranged for regular sibling contact, both virtually and in-person, overcoming logistical challenges caused by distance and restrictive placement protocols. At one point, Alejandro and Lauren personally facilitated a sibling visit, traveling a total of 638 miles to ensure the children could spend the time together. It was a powerful act of care, giving the siblings a moment of normalcy and joy in an otherwise turbulent time. For nearly the entirety of the case, the children have been separated from one another and far from their hometown. In the face of prolonged separation, instability, and emotional distress, Alejandro and Lauren’s efforts have played a key role in preserving the siblings’ emotional connection and sense of family. Because of their unwavering commitment, the siblings are now living in the same city again and are showing improvement in their academics and health. While the future remains uncertain and family reunification is still unclear, the advocates continue to hold hope that the siblings can at least be reunited with one another and return to San Antonio. This story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of tremendous challenges, the love between siblings and the dedication of caring advocates can foster hope, healing, and the promise of a brighter future.
Deborah Hom
