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. 

A Message from Child Advocates San Antonio on National CASA/GAL Funding Termination

By bfines • April 25, 2025
A Message from Child Advocates San Antonio on National CASA/GAL Funding Termination On April 24, 2025, the National CASA/GAL Association announced that its federal funding through the U.S. Department of Justice has been terminated. As a result, National CASA is suspending subaward disbursements, training programs, and technical assistance. The organization is actively appealing the decision and assessing what services it can continue to provide during this transition. Info from National CASA can be found here. We understand that this announcement may raise concerns in the community, and we want to provide reassurance and clarity regarding how this news affects Child Advocates San Antonio. First and foremost: There is no impact to our organization or our services. We are fully operational and remain committed to serving the children and families in our community with the same excellence, integrity, compassion, and commitment we have always shown. Here are key facts we want our supporters and the public to know: Our funding remains secure. Child Advocates San Antonio has a diverse and stable funding base that includes a healthy mix of public and private funding. No one funding stream exceeds 50% of our budget. You can access our recent financials HERE. Our stability comes from strong state support and our dedicated Bexar County community, which keeps Child Advocates San Antonio resilient and focused on serving children. We do not receive subawards from National CASA. The suspension of subaward disbursements has no bearing on our funding or ability to operate. Our training programs continue without interruption. Our comprehensive and high-quality Advocate training programs are fully intact. We do not require technical assistance from National CASA. Our team is experienced, well-resourced, and prepared to continue all programming. No cuts, no hiring freezes, no changes to our operations. We remain fully staffed and actively engaged in our mission to advocate for children in foster care. Our commitment to advocating for children in foster care is unwavering, and our services continue as usual. We want to be clear: Child Advocates San Antonio is strong, stable, and here to stay. CASA programs in Texas are strong, independent, and fully committed to children in foster care. While we’re aware of the situation with National CASA/GAL, it doesn’t impact the critical advocacy happening here. Our commitment is clear: we will stand with the children we serve—until they are safe, their voices are heard, and their futures are secure. Our focus, as always, is on advocating for the best interests of children and ensuring they have a voice in court. Public support at all levels, including individuals, ensures we remain strong, regardless of national developments. No matter what, our mission stays the same – every child deserves to be safe, cared for, and have their voice heard. CASA’s mission is as important as ever— children in foster care need advocates who will stand by them. Start your Advocate Journey today!

April Advocate Spotlight

By bfines • April 11, 2025
Brittany Coppage
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