Sometimes, a common experience can form a bond that lasts forever.

And it is this hope that inspires Cassandra Luera in her role as a family advocate for the United Advocates for Children and Families (UACF) organization.

In this job, Luera, 40, helps families to understand and seek the services they need for their children, whether it's counseling, assistance with juvenile justice issues or help with the foster care system. Luera knows how difficult it can be to ask for - and sometimes receive - help because her own family has needed special services over the years.

"My past life experiences were somewhat difficult as a child and young adult," she said, "but I have been able to overcome them and thrive in my life. I can talk about it now and help the families that I work with see that if they work hard enough, anything's possible."

Luera's oldest son, now 20, was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at age five, and they struggled through school together. Like many Latino families, hers never discussed mental health needs. In fact, her family said her son was just a spoiled brat in need of a spanking.

"It would have helped to have others like me to talk about these things," added Luera. But help was not available, and any services that existed were not offered in Spanish.

Making decisions about children without their parent's involvement was the way treatment services were provided. In the past, the child was perceived as a patient, a passive recipient of professional treatment, and the family had no choices. Said Luera, "I had to investigate services and advocate for my child's rights."

Now, thanks to advocacy by UACF, families are partners in their children's care, and family advocates work to ensure families attend meetings and have a say in treatment.

Luera currently serves Placer County families on the western slope. The UACF is hiring a family advocate to serve Latino Spanish speakers in the North Lake Tahoe region.

Kim Jennings, a family advocate working out of the Health and Human Services Children's System of Care office in Carnelian Bay, knows families here need help in Spanish, and she's hoping that a bilingual Latino/a with experience with the system of care (child welfare, juvenile probation, mental health and /or foster care) can help other families get through the process.

"We know that people who share the same culture and experience can become partners in the process," said Jennings. "We hope to inspire someone to become a family advocate so that Latino families in the North Lake Tahoe region will benefit from their experience."

UACF is one of several Placer County Health and Human Services funded programs designed to meet diverse community needs.

"A family advocate must have compassion to work with families," she said.

The most important thing Luera does everyday, she said, is get her kids off to school. That consistent task helps to prepare her for a day filled with many changes and needs.

"Life steered me in this direction so that I can be part of a team that helps educate, support and empower families," Luera said. Her personal experience and struggles serve as an example to other Latino families that there is no shame in asking for help.

After all, those who receive help now are experienced and better prepared to help other Latino families in the future.