Story of Hope: Lisa
May Advocate Impact Story
Written By: Lisa's Advocate Supervisor
This is a story of how just one person can make a huge impact on a family even during the Covid-19 crisis. CASA advocate, Lisa Fernandez-Poirier, was sworn in as a new CASA advocate at the end of September 2018. She immediately selected a complicated case with five children in two different placements. The children had been removed from their home due to allegations of physical abuse as well as domestic violence in the home.
Lisa has been a constant for these kids since October 2018, but in this story I wanted to highlight the amazing work that she has been doing now, and how she has been able to continue advocating for the children and their needs, even though her advocacy looks a bit different now.
She quickly realized that the boys did not have the computers that they needed to do their school work.
The two oldest boys have been placed with their great-grandmother since they were removed. Lisa has done a great job meeting their basic needs, however distance learning has been a challenge. She quickly realized that the boys did not have the computers that they needed to do their school work. She contacted the school and found out that all the computers had already been given out. She was assured that more computers had been ordered and as soon as they were in they would email the great-grandmother and let her know.
Lisa soon realized that there was a communication barrier between the school and the great-grandmother as she did not use email, and definitely did not have the Class Dojo app needed for lessons. Lisa was able to work out a better communication system for the great-grandmother. The school and the boys now have their computers, and are able to complete their assignments. The computers also allow them to attend their visits virtually. Lisa has also been able to ensure that they understand their lessons, and that they are able to continue to make academic progress.
Visitation was also an immediate concern as the great-grandmother was considered “high risk” and she was worried about having to leave the home to take the boys to visits. The foster parents also expressed similar concerns noting that one of the children in their home was also high risk for COVID-19. Lisa contacted the CPS worker and the children’s attorney, and ultimately it was acknowledged that virtual visits would be in the children’s best interest at this time. Lisa has been able to continue to observe parent/child visits virtually at this time. She continues to document her concerns during virtual visits and reports it back to all parties. She is also visiting the kids through Zoom and ensuring that they are doing well with their school work. She has also been able to confirm that therapeutic services will start virtually as well.
Lisa was also able to submit a request form to CASA to pick up some much needed items for her CASA kids and do a porch drop off. The children were so happy to know that CASA is still advocating for them and looking out for their best interest even now. The kids send her a sweet video expressing their gratitude.
This case is still far from over, there is now a criminal case pending due to the physical abuse as well as new child abuse allegations that have been made and are currently being investigated. Trial is set to continue this summer and Lisa will be there ready to testify on what she thinks is in the children’s best interest. Lisa has been there for these kids for 18 months now. She has seen the kids grow and thrive and she has also seen them struggle with the complicated feelings that come from being in the system. Lisa has been with them every step of the way ensuring that they will not fall through the cracks and that they will soon have permanency.
Help us provide more Advocates like Lisa 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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In September 2024, the department first became involved with a family of five following allegations of substance abuse and medical neglect concerning the mother. Child Protective Investigations (CPI) initially sought to keep the family together by implementing a safety plan with fictive kin—a family the mother and children had met during their stay at Haven for Hope. The hope was that this new placement would provide stability for the children while keeping them safely with someone familiar. For a few weeks, it seemed to be working. But on October 29, 2024, the mother told the fictive kin she was going to retrieve her remaining belongings from Haven for Hope—and never returned. From November 2024 through February 2025, CPS continued its efforts to locate her while supporting the kinship placement and meeting the children’s needs. In January 2025, the kinship placement informed the department that she could no longer care for the youngest child, Ava, due to her severe behavioral needs. Faced with these challenges, the department made the difficult decision to file for removal to provide more comprehensive support for the children and the kinship caregivers. Ava was quickly placed in a foster home in February 2025, while her three brothers remained with fictive kin. Around this time, CASA Staff Advocate JoAnn Herring was assigned to the case. By April 2025, safety concerns prompted the immediate removal of the boys. They were placed in an emergency shelter while the department and JoAnn worked tirelessly to explore placing them with their sister in her foster home. Caring for four children is a big ask, especially for new foster parents, but with support from JoAnn and the department, the foster family rose to the challenge. By May 2025, all four siblings were finally reunited under one roof—a first major victory for this family. Even with the siblings together, challenges remained. The children had significant medical and educational needs. Michael, who had experienced medical neglect while in his mother’s care, was diagnosed with Stage 5 chronic kidney disease, requiring frequent doctor visits, hospital stays, and surgery. During these times, JoAnn visited the hospital regularly, offering support and encouragement to both Michael and his foster parents. JoAnn also worked closely with the department and foster family to ensure the other children—Ava, Mateo, and Leo—received the therapeutic and educational support they needed. Through Collaborative Family Engagement meetings, the team created a comprehensive plan addressing the children’s medical, educational, and therapeutic needs, with the goal of preventing placement disruption and ensuring the foster parents felt supported. Today, all four children are enrolled in school with 504 plans in place, and Michael has access to wrap-around medical services—another major triumph. The foster parents now feel confident in their ability to meet the children’s needs, and if the parents remain disengaged, the case may ultimately move toward termination. While that possibility is heartbreaking, the family has a permanent, loving home ready to care for them. Michael, though still facing significant medical challenges, has a strong team advocating for him every step of the way. This story is still unfolding, but it highlights the power of teamwork, advocacy, and dedication in helping children find stability, care, and hope. It’s a reminder of what can be achieved when community, department staff, and CASA advocates go above and beyond to support children and families in need.
Sol Arena Russo
