Hope in Action is a series to highlight the aspects of our volunteer work. Advocacy for a child, whether in child welfare, juvenile justice, or truancy systems, covers several activities from court hearings to visits with a child to conversations with parents. Each month, we share a story of small (or big!) moments from one of our cases that exemplify what advocacy can mean to children and their families.

A Journey Home: How Collaborative Family Engagement Reunited a Family Across States

This fall marks 10 years of Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) in Texas—a decade of strengthening families, building connections, and transforming how we support children in the child welfare system.

One recent case shows the power of collaboration between Child Advocates, Child Protective Services, and the legal team.

A Sibling Bond Amid Trauma

Eight-year-old Amaya* and her older brother, Carter*, entered foster care after a tumultuous childhood marked by instability and trauma. In and out of jail, their mother was being held on new charges. Carter’s father was incarcerated in another state, and Amaya’s father, Jay*, lived in Michigan.

With no relatives in Texas to take them, the siblings were placed together at a group home, far from Montgomery County. Advocates Molly* and Russell* were assigned to the case and visited the children separately to get to know them.

“The kids were frightened and disturbed,” Russell said. “They were reticent to talk to either one of us. The pair clearly had a bond with each other and were hesitant to trust anyone else.”

Discovering a Supportive Dad

As Molly and Russell worked with the children and the professionals, they learned that Amaya’s dad, Jay, had maintained contact with both children over the years. He was a non-offending parent with a minor criminal history and a deep commitment to being part of Amaya’s life.

Jay traveled more than 30 hours by bus to attend the first hearing, known as the adversary.

While in town, he met with Molly, Russell, and his attorney to share his hopes for Amaya to come live with him. He also asked if he could provide a home for Carter too. Though he was not Carter’s father, he had grown close to the 11-year-old when he was married to their mom. And he knew that Amaya and Carter wanted to stay together.

At the hearing, the state took temporary managing conservatorship (TMC) of the children until Amaya’s parentage could be established through a DNA test. In court, Jay stated his intention to provide a safe, loving home for the children. With Jay returning to Michigan, CPS began a home study.

Meanwhile, Carter began acting out and was discharged from the group home due to behaviors and substance use. CPS moved him to another placement, separating the siblings.

Hope for Reunification

Jay’s home study was approved, and Advocates Molly and Russell believed that placement with her dad was in Amaya’s best interest. Jay returned to Texas for the next hearing, again traveling by bus.

Before the hearing, Jay and his attorney met with Molly and Russell at the Child Advocates house, showing them photos of his apartment, including Amaya’s room.

Thanks to the collaborative efforts between Child Advocates, CPS, and the legal team, the judge granted Amaya’s father permission to bring his daughter back to Michigan with him as the legal team worked on a custody agreement for Amaya to live with her dad.

Supporting Amaya

With funds from Child Advocates, Molly and Russell bought clothes for Amaya at Target, picked up snacks at the Waste Connections Food Pantry, and packed games and small toys for the long bus ride to Michigan. Jay was deeply grateful, and Amaya appreciated the small comforts.

Back in Michigan, Jay sent photos to the Advocates of all Amaya’s firsts in her new home: first day of school, first day of fall, first visit to the park.

Molly called Amaya a couple of weeks after the move, and she was at the playground with her dad.

“She had just started school and had met some friends,” Molly said. “She wanted to make friendship bracelets for them. She talked to me about all the things she and her dad were going to do.”

Most importantly, Jay has ensured that Amaya and Carter stay connected through phone calls. As Carter works on improving his behavior and receiving help for substance use, Jay remains committed to bringing Carter to Michigan as well. The hope of sibling reunification is strong.

A Future Full of Possibility

A few weeks later, Russell flew to Michigan to visit Amaya. [Editor’s note: Long-distance visits are not a requirement of Advocates. Russell and Molly wanted to do an in-person visit.]

Russell also wanted to see the home in person before Molly and he made a recommendation to the judge for Jay’s placement there.

He found a thriving child with a devoted father. Amaya was no longer the quiet, withdrawn girl he’d met at the beginning of the case.

“She was a totally different child,” he said. “She was clearly bonded with her dad, and he with her. She is flourishing in school, prefers math to reading.”

Amaya’s story is a powerful example of the impact of Collaborative Family Engagement in action. CFE’s goal is to build lasting support systems for children and families beyond the involvement of CPS and Child Advocates.

Before leaving Michigan, Russell joined Amaya and her dad for dinner. Amaya asked to pray first, expressing concern for her brother and gratitude for her dad . . . and her Advocates.

As Amaya chatted away at dinner (something she never did at their visits in the group home), Russell noticed Jay smiling at his daughter.

“She was so happy, and you could see how much love Jay had for her,” Russell said. “This will be a home that gives her an honest-to-goodness chance of success in the future.”

*Name changed for privacy.