Our Children's Stories
Lucas & Ava
“Our spirits have been lifted. I really believed the letter and JV-285 form made the difference. It gave an insight to who we are as individuals and our relationship with our grandchildren.”
Lucas and Ava were 13 and 17 years old when they were removed from their mother’s care due to her struggle with alcohol addiction. Their grandparents stepped up immediately to provide a home for the children in the 55+ residential community where they lived. For two months Lucas and Ava lived safely with their grandparents and spent supervised time with their mother. The children were doing well–attending school regularly and feeling safe. Their grandparents were actively looking for a new home closer to the children’s school.
Suddenly and without any notice to their grandparents, Lucas and Ava were traumatically detained at school in the middle of their day, taken into foster care without any of their belongings, and placed with strangers. The county child welfare agency told the grandparents that the children were detained because they were living in a 55+ community and they would not be returned.
Heartbroken, the grandparents contacted Advokids for help. A staff attorney encouraged them to request visitation immediately to reduce the children's anxieties and helped them request a meeting with their county child welfare agency and submit court forms to ask the court to return the boys to their care.
Because of the grandparent’s persistence and Advokids’ guidance, the court authorized the children’s return. The grandparents also began the process of becoming certified foster parents so they could continue to care for their grandchildren. Lucas and Ava are now safely back with their grandparents, where they feel supported, secure, and loved.
Christian
Christian lived with his parents and trusted, caring grandmother, Corinne, for the first three years of his life. After his little sister was born, Christian, his mom, and baby sister moved out, leaving the safety and stability of his grandmother’s home. When he was four, he was hospitalized due to repeated physical abuse at home. Corinne reported the injury to Child Protective Services and Christian and his younger siblings were immediately removed from their mother’s care. Corinne attended the first court hearing and let the judge know that she had always been in her grandchildrens’ lives and wanted all of the children placed with her. The judge told the county to “work it out.” The county did nothing to facilitate placement and did not allow Corinne to visit the children.
The children were in a non-relative home for four long months and Corinne did not know how to fight for placement until she called Advokids. An Advokids’ staff attorney taught her how to petition the juvenile court and ask for a hearing to seek placement of her grandchildren. The staff attorney helped Corrine prepare for the hearing and present evidence of her history and relationship with Christian and his siblings, as well as her commitment and ability to protect them and keep them safe. Corinne was granted a hearing and as a result, the court ordered that Corinne’s four grandchildren be placed in her care. Christian and his siblings have settled back into living with their grandmother and are now flourishing again.
Ariana
Ariana entered foster care at five months old and was placed with her paternal aunt and uncle, Sabrina and John. Ariana lived with her aunt and uncle until she was three years old and returned to her father’s care. Unfortunately, the reunification only lasted nine months. During that time, Ariana was neglected physically and emotionally, experienced food insecurity, and was verbally and physically abused. When she re-entered foster care, Ariana returned to live with Sabrina and John. They noticed Ariana exhibited serious behavioral indicators of stress. She would hide under the bed, hoard food, and vomit and pass out in moments when she felt stressed. Sabrina found several therapeutic services for Ariana to help her process her trauma and Ariana made great progress developing skills to identify and cope with her emotions.
After nine months back in Sabrina and John’s care, Ariana was suddenly ordered by the court to go on a 28 day extended visit with her mother in a sober living facility several counties away. Sabrina and John wanted to maintain contact with Ariana and make sure that she continued to receive the therapy she needed.
Sabrina reached out to Advokids for help intervening in the court process and sharing information with the court about her concerns for Ariana. An Advokids’ staff attorney encouraged Sabrina to reach out to the child’s therapists, teachers, and doctors to ask them to write letters to the court with their concerns and recommendations. The staff attorney also helped Sabrina write a letter to Ariana’s attorney, who had never met Ariana.
As a result of Sabrina’s intervention and the information she submitted to the court with Advokids help, the judge ordered Ariana to continue her therapies and have continued and regular contact with Sabrina and John.
Marisa
Marisa was eight years old when she entered foster care. She had been physically abused at home and was struggling with trauma and behavioral challenges. She bounced to four different homes within the first five months. Each move made her life more unpredictable and dragged her farther behind in school.
Marisa’s fifth move was to Samantha, a local teacher and resource parent. Samantha enrolled Marisa in the school where she worked and collaborated with fellow teachers and administrators to give Marisa the resources and services she needed. Marisa was finally in a stable home and thriving when the county informed Samantha that Marisa would be moved once again. This time Marisa would move into a primarily Spanish-speaking home, even though she was bilingual.
The plan was for Marisa to be returned to her mom in the next few months so no one, including her therapist, understood why she would be moved yet again. Samantha was very concerned.
Not knowing where else to turn, Samantha called Advokids. Advokids’ staff attorney walked her through the legal process and the juvenile court forms she could file to request Marisa stay in her care until she was reunited with her mom. Advokids also helped Samantha track down Marisa’s attorney, who had no idea Marisa had been moved multiple times. Samantha was able to share essential information with Marisa’s attorney about her special needs and history. She was also able to explain why Marisa shouldn’t be moved to a sixth foster home. Marisa’s attorney immediately went to court and requested a “do not move order” to prevent the move.
Marisa stayed with Samantha for the rest of her time in foster care and focused on school and healing. Six months later Marisa was successfully reunified with her mom. Marisa and Samantha still has a close relationship with Samantha and visit each other often. Marisa even stayed with Samantha over the summer to attend a dance camp.
Kaiden
Twelve month old Kaiden had lived with Gail since birth. Kaiden’s biological parents were no longer in the picture and Gail was committed to adopting Kaiden if he needed a permanent home. Kaiden’s grandparents were not being considered for placement but when his grandfather passed away, a step-aunt who had no prior relationship or blood ties to Kaiden sought placement of him.
Visits with the step-aunt began suddenly. Gail was concerned about Kaiden’s stress levels participating in unsupervised visits with a stranger. She was also concerned because his step-aunt was not aware of Kaiden’s medical needs or specialized therapy and knew so little about him.
Upon completing the caregiver licensing program, the step-aunt petitioned the court for placement of Kaiden. The county social worker and Kaiden’s attorney gave no indication whether they supported or opposed a move of Kaiden to step-aunt, although they both affirmed that Kaiden was thriving in Gail’s care and had a strong attachment to her.
Advokids enlisted a pro bono attorney, Adam Trigg, who helped her bring evidence to the juvenile court judge about Kaiden, his needs, and his attachment to Gail. He reminded the court that Kaiden, after one year in foster care, in the only home he had ever known, was ready for permanency and the law no longer allowed relatives to be given preferential consideration for placement. The judge agreed.
Emma
“I want to thank you again for the guidance you gave me years ago to gain custody of my niece. It wasn’t until I reached out to Advokids that I was able to make any progress with getting custody… I appreciate all you guys do to help!”
Crystal called Advokids after her 1.5 year old niece Emma was removed from her parents and placed in foster care. Crystal stepped up immediately and offered Emma a home, but was not receiving the information and instructions she needed from the county to begin the placement process. Precious time was passing and placement of Emma in Crystal’s care was continually delayed. Advokids Hotline Staff helped Crystal contact Emma’s attorney and taught her how to bring her concerns and commitment to Emma to the attention of the juvenile court. Advokids’ Hotline Staff also taught Crystal how to request visits with Emma so that she could begin to build a relationship while she was working through the Resource Family Approval (RFA) placement process. After five months of ongoing support from Advokids and court intervention, Emma was placed in Crystal’s dedicated care.
Advokids continued to help Crystal advocate for Emma through ongoing court hearings over the next 18 months until Emma’s adoption was finalized. Emma is thriving in Crystal’s loving care and benefits from her close and continuing relationships with her older brothers, cousins and grandparents. Find out more about the role of relatives in a child’s dependency case.
Forrest
“Thank you so very much. I have recommended Advokids to numerous foster parents and all of them have had a similar experience to us. A true hand of consistency in a totally inconsistent journey of courts, family and social worker systems.”
Forrest was three days old when he was placed in foster care with Ebony. After seven months in her care, Forrest was heading to adoption and Ebony was ready to provide a “forever home." She called the Advokids Hotline because a relative who had declined placement of Forrest early on in the case had changed her mind and came forward seeking placement. Forrest was very attached to Ebony and thriving in her care. Ebony was concerned about how traumatic a placement disruption might be for Forrest as he had no relationship with the relative.
Ebony called Advokids to learn how to bring Forrest’s best interests to the attention of his attorney, the child welfare agency and the juvenile court. Advokids’ Hotline Staff taught Ebony about the laws and the legal timelines that govern relative placements and showed her how to use court forms to share information about Forrest’s needs and vulnerabilities.
Now officially adopted, Forrest is three years old and is thriving in Ebony’s care.
Aria & Josiah
Yvette and Joseph were foster caregivers to Aria (age 3) and her brother, Josiah age (4) when they called the Advokids’ Hotline concerned that the children were facing yet another move. The children had already been moved from 3 foster homes in the previous 6 months due to their difficult behaviors and now they were to be moved once again to be closer to their mother who had just been released from prison. The children came to Yvette and Joseph with a host of serious medical conditions, and anxiety and stress from early childhood abuse. Yvette and Joseph were concerned that if the children were moved once again, they would suffer emotionally and lose their trusted doctors and therapists.
Advokids’ Hotline staff taught them how to petition the juvenile court, share all of the children’s vulnerabilities and needs, and seek a court order to prevent another placement disruption. Yvette and Joseph also promised to do whatever was needed to keep the children connected to their mother. In response to the petition, the county child welfare agency withdrew their notice of removal of the children. The children are thriving with Yvette and Joseph and have regular supervised contact with their mother.
Melody
At the age of thirteen, Melody was entering foster care for the second time because her mother struggled with mental illness. She was in her fourth placement when her foster mom contacted Advokids because Melody had disclosed that she had been in foster care before when she was 5, and had lived for one year with her out-of-state grandparents. She had not had any contact with them since. Melody expressed a desire to reconnect with her grandparents and live with them again.
Advokids’ legal staff advised Melody’s foster mom to have the grandparents contact Advokids directly. Upon learning that the grandparents had never been notified that Melody was in foster care in California, Advokids’ legal staff instructed the grandparents on how to file a petition in juvenile court in California and ask that Melody be returned to their care. Advokids also assisted them with contacting Melody’s attorney and the assigned Court Appointed Special Advocate to share information about Melody’s history and family ties. In response to the grandparent’s petition, the court granted an extended holiday visit for Melody with her grandparents. The visit was successful and Melody was placed in their care permanently. Melody now enjoys a life surrounded by a large extended family including aunts, uncles and cousins.
Marco
“As the adoptive mother of this magnificent little boy who had to go through hell and back, I can say with my whole heart that Advokids actively, practically, and without exception, worked to keep our son safe and healthy. When there was no hope, Advokids was there.”
Marco was an 8 month old baby when he entered foster care. He was removed from his parents after suffering multiple head injuries and serious neglect. When he was placed with his foster parents, Valerie and Tom, he was suffering from PTSD, night terrors, anxiety and developmental delays. Marco had lived with Valerie and Tom for one year and was thriving in their care, when he was reunified with his mother. The reunification efforts failed and Marco was removed from his mother’s care again and returned to Valerie and Tom’s home.
They called Advokids because when Marco returned to their home, he was ordered to have visits with his father, his abuser, who had been criminally convicted of felony child abuse. Advokids’ legal staff taught Valerie and Tom how to write and file a “Caregiver Information Court Form” to help the judge understand the regression, sleeplessness, and separation anxiety that Marco was suffering after visits. Advokids’ team also helped them reach out directly to Marco’s attorney and supported them as they persistently advocated for Marco until an adoption was finalized.
Scarlett
Alyssa and her wife had 13-month-old Scarlett in their care since birth. During a grievance hearing at which Alyssa and her wife were not present, the court granted a non-related family member guardianship of Scarlett. Alyssa did not believe that a move to a new home would be in Scarlett’s best interest, so she called Advokids. Our staff social worker informed Alyssa of the forms she should file and recommended an attorney in their county as well. When the county filed an official removal notice, Alyssa and her wife, with the help of Advokids, were able to file an objection and have a court hearing before Scarlett was removed. The judge took all of the information into consideration and ruled that Scarlett should remain placed with Alyssa and her family.
Eventually, Alyssa was granted De Facto Parent status and Prospective Adoptive Parent status, and Scarlett was spared a precipitous placement change at a vulnerable stage of her development.
Thomas and Cassie
Tanya called Advokids, concerned about her 9-year-old grandson Thomas. Tanya was Thomas’s legal guardian, because his parents were unable to care for him. Thomas had a baby sister, Cassie, who was in foster care and Thomas visited her regularly. When Cassie was moved out of their county, all visitation was terminated and Thomas was devastated. Advokids helped Tanya file a court petition on Thomas’ behalf, asking the court to reinstate sibling visits. In his petition to the court, Thomas stated that visitation was what was best for his baby sister because, “I love her and she knows happiness when she sees me.” The trial court denied Thomas’ petition so Advokids helped file an appeal and Thomas won! The Court of Appeal decision stated that the county child welfare agency had “acted in excess of its authority” when it suspended visitation. Thomas and his baby sister are now a part of each other’s lives again.
Ellie
Rebecca and John received baby Ellie into their home when she was three months old. She was born exposed to drugs and alcohol and was far behind healthy developmental benchmarks. Over the next year, Rebecca and John worked with Ellie’s doctors and therapists to give her the care and support she needed to catch up developmentally.
After 13 months with Rebecca and John, when it was time to move forward with adoption, Ellie’s social worker proposed a plan to move her to an out-of- state, elderly grandfather whom Ellie had met only once. Rebecca and John were concerned that Ellie would suffer a traumatic loss if abruptly moved out of state. The couple called Advokids to ask how they could advocate for Ellie.
Advokids’ Hotline staff taught them how to bring their concerns to the juvenile court and enlisted the help of a pro bono attorney and child development expert. Together with Ellie’s pediatrician and caregivers, this team demonstrated to the court that given the adversities Ellie had already faced in her short life, as well as her close bond with her caregivers, a move would not be best for her.
After almost 2 years, Ellie is on track to be adopted and become a permanent member of Rebecca and John’s family.
Andrew
Andrew came into foster care at birth and was placed in a foster-to adopt home with Alicia and her husband. Andrew was 11 months old and thriving in their care when Alicia was told that Andrew was to be moved to a distant cousin whom he had never met. When Alicia called Advokids, visits had begun with the cousin and Alicia and Andrew’s pediatrician were very concerned about Andrew and the behavioral and health stress signals that Andrew was exhibiting after visits, including asthma attacks.
Mindful of the trauma a placement disruption could cause, Advokids’ hotline staff helped Alicia petition the juvenile court and share a letter of medical concern from Andrew’s pediatrician. In his letter, the doctor described the symptoms Andrew was exhibiting and shared the research findings on the dangers of precipitously moving a 12 month old who is securely attached to his caregivers.
Advokids also reached out to our pro bono panel and enlisted an attorney to help Andrew’s foster-to- adopt parents. With the help of the pro bono attorney, Andrew’s foster-to-adopt parents fully participated in their court hearing and brought vital information to the judge about Andrew and the laws that protected his current placement. As a result, the court intervened to stop the move and ordered Andrew to remain with Alicia and her husband, caregivers who had a deep, stable bond that was deemed to be critical for Andrew’s well being. They are currently awaiting adoption finalization.
Daniel
Daniel just turned 5 and has been in foster care for 19 months. He is in his third placement. Daniel was going to have to miss his school performance to attend his court hearing this week. His fost-adopt mom and dad were worried because Daniel was afraid to go to court and very sad about missing a big day at school. They called Advokids' free telephone hotline for help.
Advokids' legal telephone hotline staff explained to Daniel's 's fost-adopt parents that since he is now 5, the law requires his attorney to see him before each court hearing but he is not required to go to court. We encouraged them to email Daniel's attorney and underscore Daniel's history of trauma, his fears, and his need for stability. Daniel's attorney accommodated a meeting with Daniel in the privacy of her office, and Daniel performed in his school play with his classmates. It was a great day!
Sophia & Mason
Sophia and Mason had been seriously neglected and entered foster care at the ages of 1 and 2. They were placed temporarily in separate homes and then placed with Alexandra, and her husband, foster-to adopt parents. After three months, they were abruptly moved to an aunt’s home. Seven weeks later, that placement failed and they were returned to Alexandra’s care, where they slowly began to heal and thrive.
The children had been in Alexandra’s care for 9 months when the county child welfare agency started overnight visits with mother. The children exhibited anxiety and alarming behaviors when they would return from their visits crying, eating, and sleeping excessively. Alexandra felt that the children were suffering and no one was listening so she called Advokids. Advokids' legal staff helped Alexandra file court forms and bring her concerns to the juvenile court judge who ordered that the overnight visits continue.
Three months later, Mason and Sophia’s mother went to jail for armed robbery and the county agency started yet another search for a relative placement. Despite the fact that not one relative had shown an interest in the children throughout the entire year that Alexandra had been loving them and meeting their special needs and against the advice of the children’s therapist, Mason and Sophia started visits with an uncle.
Recognizing that the children’s need for security and stability were not being considered, Advokids secured a pro bono attorney to help Alexandra fight for them. Finally, after being in foster care for three and a half years, Mason and Sophia were adopted by Alexandra and her husband.
Marie
Marie was five weeks old when she and her older brother were removed from their mother's care and placed into Amy's home. They thrived under Amy's care for two years, then the county attempted to reunify Marie and her brother with their mother and a new baby brother. That placement failed, and the county attempted to place the three children in a new foster home. That placement failed also, and the children were moved for the fourth time to a new foster home. Meanwhile, Amy was trying to offer a forever home to Marie. It became apparent that the placement disruptions had traumatic implications for Marie. Thats when Amy called Advokids. Advokids helped Amy access the juvenile court system and submit evidence of the trauma Marie had endured in her four and a half years in foster care. With the support of Marie's new foster family, Amy was able to adopt Marie in 2015!
Jessica
Jessica was abandoned at birth and entered foster care. She spent 6 and a half months in a temporary foster home before she was placed in her potentially adoptive home. When she was 14 months old, her biological father requested visits with Jessica. Her biological father was a stranger to Jessica and his sporadic visits were difficult for her, as she had already experienced significant trauma and loss. Jessica's foster-to-adopt mother called Advokids concerned about Jessica's emotional health and development. Advokids taught Jessica's foster-to-adopt mother how to obtain legal standing so she could bring Jessica's behaviors to the attention of the court and advocate for Jessica's security and stability. Jessica is now thriving and happy in her permanent home.
Annie
Annie was abandoned by her mother and entered foster care at birth. She then spent her first 4 years of life with her grandmother but was removed from grandmother’s care due to neglect. After she was returned to foster care, Annie experienced five placements in three months before she was placed in what would be her adoptive home. Haley, Annie’s new “mom,” was committed to helping Annie heal from the trauma she had suffered in her short life.
Court proceedings to secure Annie's adoptive placement were continuously delayed. Annie faced additional heartache when her new baby sister came into foster care and was placed with Annie and Haley only to be moved to the care of a relative who was elderly and infirm. Advokids referred Haley to a dedicated attorney and helped Haley fight for Annie and her baby sister. Their futures are finally secure in their forever home with Haley.
Julia & Jace
Julia and Jace came into foster care at two months old. They suffered from severe malnourishment and neglect. A stable, loving, and secure home was the "intervention" they needed to become the happy healthy children they are today. Advokids taught the twins' foster-to-adopt parents how to advocate for them and bring information to the juvenile court about their special medical needs. Like most young children who enter foster are, they were far from ordinary and deserved extraordinary care. The twins were adopted in 2014.
Justin
Justin was born in jail. Shortly after his birth, the child welfare agency placed him in the care of his grandparents. At thirteen months of age, he was returned to his mother’s care in a drug rehabilitation facility. Justin’s grandmother, Diane, had many concerns about his emotional health. She knew that he was suffering from the loss of his close relationship with his grandparents and she was also concerned that her daughter was not yet capable of caring for Justin.
Diane fought for visitation with Justin and for regular drug testing of her daughter. She felt like a lone voice advocating for Justin’s emotional health and physical safety. After six difficult months, Justin’s mom was re-arrested and Justin once again entered the dependency system. He was immediately placed back with his grandparents, but it would take years of
Diane's continued advocacy before the courts freed Justin for adoption by his grandparents.
Advokids taught Diane how to access the Juvenile Court, how to fight for the right to visit Justin in the rehab facility, and how to request “de facto” parent status in order to advocate for Justin at every step of the legal proceedings.
“I am happy to announce that with Advokids help, knowledge and legal referral, we successfully adopted our grandson. It was a 3 year legal battle. Advokids helped us with legal referrals and the lawyer we hired was awesome. Several ups and downs, but Advokids listened and helped with information regarding California laws regarding foster care and adoption rights of grandparents. I am very grateful and cannot recommend them enough. Bless their work.”
Shanita
Advokids helped Shanita become a legal guardian of her siblings. Shanita and her siblings came into foster care when their mother died. They were placed with an uncle who was declared legal guardian. He failed to care for them and was abusive. Shanita vowed that when she became independent, she would free her siblings from her uncle and become their loving guardian. She was and had always been their stable, reliable caregiver.
Shanita called the Advokids’ telephone hotline seeking help, hoping to have the children removed from uncle’s home and having her declared legal guardian… no easy feat, as Shanita was only 19 years old. Advokids counseled Shanita and reached out to our colleague, Robbi Cook, who volunteered her legal services and petitioned the Juvenile court. Shanita was declared guardian and is now raising her siblings, attending UC Berkeley, and living in UC Berkeley family housing!
Shanita’s words of thanks:
"Advokids understands the importance of family and what it means to have one of your own. My siblings and I express an emotion that goes beyond the word grateful, appreciative, or thankful. It is a word that has yet been put into a language but it is shown everyday through the smiles, laughs, and silly face expressions of my siblings. Now we are assured that through our struggles we have someone to turn to. Thank you Advokids for standing in the gap so that our family would not fall through and thank you for standing a distance where we could reach you."
Brianna
Advokids’ legal team helped secure a permanent home for Brianna. Brianna was born in prison and placed in a “foster to adopt home” at 3 days old. Her mother had lost 4 previous children to foster care. After living with her foster family for a continuous 12 months, the county recommended that Brianna be moved to a prison program 300 miles away where her mother would care for her in an institutional setting. Brianna’s foster parents turned to Advokids for assistance. With support from Advokids, the foster parents were able to direct the court’s attention to Brianna’s need for security and stability. One long and grueling year later, the court ordered that Brianna be adopted by her foster parents. She is loved and adored and thriving in her adoptive home.
Ceci’s Boys
Advokids helped Michael and his brothers find security and a permant home. Six month old Alexander and twenty month old Michael were placed in Ceci’s home by their mother who was struggling with drug addiction and also struggling to raise her two older boys. The two older boys were later removed from their mother and placed in foster care with an uncle and his eight children. Despite reports of abuse and neglect suffered by the older brothers in their uncle’s care, Michael was removed from Ceci, his stable and caring “mother” figure for over one year and placed with his older brothers in the care of his uncle.
Ceci called the Advokids’ hotline for help. Advokids counseled Ceci and taught her how to be the “voice of the children” and to petition the court on behalf of all of the boys. Advokids supported Ceci throughout the painful five month period when Michael was not in her care. She kept close contact with the brothers placed with uncle and tirelessly advocated for them. The uncle was ultimately charged with child abuse and now all four brothers are thriving in a safe and loving adoptive home with Ceci.
Jael
Advokids helped Jael's grandmother find the care and support he needed. Jael came into the foster care system at 18 months old and was placed in the care of his grandmother. Due to trauma and neglect suffered during his infancy, Jael had special developmental needs and his grandmother was determined to provide him with all the help he needed to be healthy and successful.
His grandmother reached out to Advokids for help with understanding and navigating the funding streams and the bureaucracies of the numerous county agencies responsible for providing Jael with developmental support. After nearly four years, Jael will finally be adopted by his grandmother who is now confident that he has all the support services he needs as he starts Kindergarten.
Legal Disclaimer: Advokids provides educational information and resources to those who use our website, call our helpline, or submit requests for information via the website. Any information provided may not be construed as the giving of legal advice to any person about a particular legal matter and should not be relied upon as the basis for taking a particular action or refraining from taking a particular action in any legal matter. If you want or need legal advice about a particular legal matter, you should consult a lawyer.
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