Story of Hope: Melanie O'Shea

Advocate Impact Story

Nicole (10yo), Jessica (8yo) and Isaac (7yo) returned to care a week after being reunified with their mother in October of 2018.


Melanie O’Shea, their CASA advocate, entered their lives in February of 2019 and has been a contact figure in their lives ever since. The children have been in multiple placements and have lived in three separate placements since January 2019. Melanie made sure to spend time with each child in their placements prior to the pandemic, celebrating birthdays and accomplishments and including their siblings in each event. She also helped to facilitate sibling visits.


When the pandemic hit, Melanie continued to remain in the children’s lives by participating in their sibling visits virtually. There were times when Isaac missed the virtual calls with his sisters so Melanie would send reminders to his placement to ensure they would have time together weekly. During the virtual visits with the children and Melanie, they often play games, play with their toys or color while telling Melanie about their day. She has frequent phone calls with Nicole trying to keep her encouraged when she becomes sad about life. She has done Porch drop-offs for birthdays and holidays for each of them. Bringing them something special with each delivery.



Melanie has been a warrior when it comes to getting permanency for these children. The children are not able to be adopted as their mother maintains her rights. Nicole has been in an RTC since January of 2019 due in part to aggressive behaviors. Melanie is in close communication with the RTC staff and therapist as well and school personnel. Isaac has been in several placements including an emergency shelter and three foster homes. He has begun to display aggressive behaviors especially when he is in school. Melanie has attended ARD’s and teacher conferences virtually for him and maintains regular communication with his current foster parents helping to ensure placement stability. Jessica is in a great foster home where she is thriving. Jessica had been severely behind in school when she entered care. With the support of her current foster parents she has improved greatly and was recently tested for the GT program at her school. Melanie receives pictures of her playing soccer, on vacations, and just enjoying life. Melanie continues to speak with the caseworker and the children’s ad litem about permanency for the children. She reaches out the children’s mother to discuss progress. Melanie makes sure that these children will not be forgotten. 

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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