Sam & Mark

Sam and Mark were born to parents who were addicted to drugs. From the very beginning of their lives, their mother Sabrina and their father Bill were unable to provide a safe and healthy environment for their sons. Their drug addictions, sadly, came before caring for the boys and keeping the house free from garbage and debris. When they were just three months old, Sam and Mark were removed from their parents because they were not safe in their own home. Kathy, a CASA volunteer, was appointed by the juvenile judge to oversee the case and advocate for the best possible safe and stable home for the boys.

There was hope on the horizon when Sabrina decided to stop using drugs and enter rehabilitation services to get her children back. Kathy monitored Sabrina’s progress, ensuring she completed all necessary services before advocating for Sam and Mark’s placement back with their mother. As the CASA on the case, it was Kathy’s responsibility to ensure the boys were placed in a setting where they would be safe and well cared for. Sabrina succeeded in completing rehabilitation, and was granted custody of Sam and Mark.

Everything initially seemed to be going well. Kathy hoped that Sam and Mark could stay with their mother, safe and happy, but she also knew that Sabrina had an uphill climb to stay clean and prove she was a capable parent. Kathy checked in regularly with Sabrina and the boys to make sure everything was going well. But only time would only tell what the future would hold for Sam and Mark…

At first, everything seemed to be going well and Sabrina continued to undergo the positive transitions in order to keep her Sam and Mark.  Kathy kept a close and watchful eye on the family to ensure the boys’ safety and the mother’s progress. Unfortunately, Kathy discovered that Sabrina had relapsed and was using drugs once again.  The boys were once again placed into foster care.

Kathy knew that she had to do everything in her power to make sure that Sam and Mark remained safe. She could only hope that Sabrina could overcome her drug addiction and, in time, the boys might be able to return home to their mother.

As Sam and Mark struggled to adjust to their new foster home, Kathy remained the only familiar and constant figure in their lives. The process of waiting, not knowing if they will ever be able to be returned home to their parents, can feel like an eternity for children in foster care.  Kathy knew that now more than ever, she had to show Sam and Mark that she was there for them and working hard to get them into a permanent home.

Kathy monitored Sam and Mark’s foster home to make sure that they were living in the best possible environment. She kept in constant communication with the boys, and worked alongside their teachers and counselors to make sure they were developing both emotionally and mentally. Kathy also made sure Sam and Mark were receiving every service they needed. While Kathy did not know how long it would take to get the boys to their safe, permanent home, she knew she must continue to keep them safe by being a powerful voice for them in the system.

A few months later, Sabrina reunited with the boys’ father Bill. They decided that together they could better make necessary changes to regain custody of their sons. Kathy was hopeful, but knew that because Sabrina and Bill had abused drugs together in the past, they may fall back into old habits together. And in fact, being together was enough of a trigger Sabrina and Bill to start using drugs again. To make the situation even worse, the neighbors reported a domestic dispute to the police.

Kathy was sad to see both Sabrina and Bill make devastating choices that hindered their chances at being good parents once again. Sabrina and Bill were given a treatment plan by the judge and criteria to complete to show that they could care for their young boys.

In a hopeful turn of events, Bill separated from Sabrina and told Kathy he wanted to do whatever it took to be reunited with his sons. For the first time during the case, Kathy had the feeling Bill was truly determined, and would work hard to overcome the many challenges he faced. She hoped there might be that happy ending that every CASA works toward. Kathy monitored Bill’s progress as he followed recommendations and requirements from the court.

To the surprise of many, Bill found a new stable job and fully completed his drug- rehabilitation programs and parenting class requirements. Furthermore, he in fact excelled in all he did. He began keeping a clean house and planned activities for Sam and Mark.  After two years of foster care and uncertainty, Sam and Mark were on their way to being reunited permanently with their father. It’s always the best possible outcome when a parent like Bill finds the strength to change his life for the better and once again care for his children.

Today, Sam and Mark are thriving in the permanent care of their father. He has not used drugs in four years and works to maintain a good relationship with the boys’ schools. He continues to be employed and is able to provide his sons with a stable home environment. Without Kathy’s involvement, monitoring and advocacy, we can never know what might have happened to Sam and Mark. But thankfully she was there to be the voice for these young boys. She knows that they have a bright future ahead of them back at home with their father.