Uncertainty During a Global Pandemic
Advocate Impact Story
This month’s Story of Hope is a continuation of a story that was previously highlighted in October of 2019. When that story was featured, termination of parental rights had just been granted to the parents of Joshua and Shawn. Both boys were in separate foster to adopt homes; however, both sets of foster parents were dedicated to prioritizing the sibling bond between Shawn and Joshua.
Normally after termination of parental rights an adoption can happen fairly quickly. Unfortunately, in this case we still had a paternal grandmother that was requesting placement and custody of both boys. The grandma had filed a legal intervention so that put the adoptions on pause until the intervention was sorted out. Advocate Janet Penley was determined to see this case through to the adoption of both boys.
Janet continued to visit both boys monthly and follow up with teachers and therapists to ensure they received the care and services they needed. Joshua had an especially hard time during this period because he was very attached to his foster parents and did not understand why there was a delay in his adoption. It seemed that each time we went to court hoping that the adoption could move forward, we were always met with more delays or complications. It was finally ordered that Joshua’s adoption could be consummated since he was not related to the paternal grandmother.
Joshua was finally adopted in April 2020 during all of the quarantine craziness. Joshua’s family, friends, and attorney celebrated his adoption with a festive car parade to mark the occasion. Joshua was finally able to relax in his home with his new family. Once Joshua was adopted all of the focus turned to Shawn and what needed to happen in order for him to have the same happy ending as his brother.
Shawn was getting much needed behavioral therapy but he also needed speech and occupational therapy. Due to Covid-19 these services were only available via Zoom. Unfortunately, Shawn really needed in person services since he was younger and had a shorter attention span. Janet continued to support the foster parents and helped provide some resources and ideas on what they could work on at home until he could attend in-person services.
We had several more court hearings to check on the adoption status and finally a decision was made to set a trial date for all parties to be notified and to address the intervention complication once and for all. Janet diligently completed yet another court report recommending that Shawn stay in his current placement as he had now lived there most of his life and was very bonded to his foster family.
The zoom hearing started and it was announced that the grandmother had come to an agreement with the adoptive parents and that the adoption would be able to proceed that morning. Shawn’s foster care journey was now over almost 3 years to the day that the case was started.
Through it all Janet was the one constant that was there through it all. She was there the day that the kids were removed from their grandmother and every month after that. This was a most unusual case filled with uncertainty and delays due to legal complications and a global pandemic but in the end Shawn and Joshua are thriving and have the brightest of futures.
In April 2023, Child Protective Services received a referral reporting that two sisters, ages 15 and 16, were being held at the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center following a family altercation. Mother informed the department that she did not have a place for the girls to be released, and they were subsequently placed in an emergency shelter. Mother was asked if she would attend the court hearing and stated that she would not. Although both sisters were released to Mother from the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center, Mother refused to pick them up. There were no relatives or family friends willing to provide placement for the girls, and Mother stated that she wanted to voluntarily sign over her parental rights. Stephanie was assigned as the CASA Staff Advocate in May 2025. By this time, both sisters had experienced multiple placements. The older sister was 18 years old, enrolled in College Docket, and preparing to graduate from high school. The younger sister was 17 years old and residing at the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center. Although the sisters were on different paths, they remained emotionally connected and struggled with maintaining contact due to their circumstances. CASA attended the older sister’s high school graduation and the graduation celebration that followed. CASA assisted her with completing all required paperwork and testing necessary for college enrollment. Additionally, CASA supported her in moving into her first apartment, helping her get settled and navigate the challenges of early adulthood. While the younger sister was residing at the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center, CASA met with her shortly after assignment and introduced herself. The younger sister was later transferred to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD). CASA continued to maintain contact despite challenges related to TJJD policies and procedures. CASA established a positive and consistent point of contact, worked to understand TJJD visitation processes, gathered relevant information, maintained communication with the youth, and actively worked to schedule sibling visitation. CASA has remained a consistent and reliable support system for the older sister as she transitions into adulthood. The youth frequently contacts CASA for guidance and assistance with everyday questions, and CASA continues to provide support. The older sister is currently passing all of her college courses, earning straight A’s, and is actively seeking employment. For the younger sister, CASA remains in close communication with TJJD case managers. CASA provides ongoing support through in-person visits every three months and monthly video calls. CASA is also gathering clothing, legal documentation, and preparing a comprehensive resource packet to support the younger sister upon her release. Through every challenge this case brings, Stephanie will stand beside these sisters, offering unwavering support and encouragement as they discover their strength and reach their full potential.
Joy Varner
