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.
Fund Their Hope
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.
Johnathan Cobb
