News Flash

Health & Human Services

Posted on: March 3, 2016

Foster care advocate leaving DHHS for state appointment

On March 28, Rochelle Trochtenberg will walk into her Sacramento office and get acquainted with her staff of 15 as she settles into her new role as California’s foster care ombudsperson.

For the first time in California history, possibly the first time in the nation, the Office of the Foster Care Ombudsman will be held by a former foster youth.

“Child welfare was involved in my life as early as kindergarten,” Trochtenberg said. “I was finally removed from my parents at age 13. After entering foster care I had over a dozen placements including foster homes, group homes, and locked facilities for children with serious mental health conditions.”

At age 18, while still in high school, she was given a seven-day notice to move out, a bag of bus tokens and a handwritten list of homeless shelters and sent out into the world. "It was one of the loneliest times in my life," she said.

But, Trochtenberg also counts herself as one of the fortunate ones who eventually started getting support from people around her.

"Thankfully, with the help of several amazing adults that took a chance on me, I was able to navigate those first few years out of foster care and eventually made my way into college," she said. "From there, life really began to change."

Trochtenberg began working with the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) in the beginning of 2008 as a one-on-one behavior support aid for youth at the Children’s Center.

The following year, Trochtenberg graduated from Humboldt State University with a bachelor’s degree, and in 2015 she completed her Master of Social Work. During her time at DHHS, Trochtenberg helped found the Humboldt County Transition-Age Youth Collaboration (HCTAYC) and supervised its Youth Advisory Board.

In her capacity with HCTAYC and DHHS’s Transition-Age Youth Division over the years, Trochtenberg worked closely with the state’s now-retired ombudswoman. The position sat vacant for about a year and recently someone close to Trochtenberg suggested she consider applying for it.

Soon, she was receiving letters of support from senators and decided to apply. “I have always felt (the ombudsperson) is such an important role for foster youth. Assuring that foster youth know their rights—it’s something I really feel is in line with my values.”

As ombudsperson, Trochtenberg will be responsible for educating foster youth about their rights. Her office is also in charge of investigating and resolving individual complaints and reporting on them to the legislature.

Retired DHHS Director Phillip R. Crandall said, “Rochelle shares the vision that foster youth deserve the same quality of care, love and future opportunities we give to our own children and will work hard to assure that occurs.”

Sheryl Lyons, program manager with Child Welfare Services who has worked with Trochtenberg for the past couple years, said Trochtenberg works well with all the players in the foster care system, whether they are youth, administrators, co-workers or state legislators.

“This role, given her life experience, I think it’s a great fit,” she said. “She’s very honest and respectful. She is going to be very honest with people at the state. As a former foster youth herself, obviously she is keenly attuned to these issues. She has a really gentle, respectful way of working with youth and knowing how to include them.”

Cole Vanwey, a Youth Advisory Board member who has worked with Trochtenberg for the past 3 ½ years, said he considers her a mentor and someone he’s been able to rely on. “She’s a great advocate. This is great for the foster youth of California.”

While she packs up her life in Humboldt County, Trochtenberg says leaving the county and DHHS is bittersweet.

“I’m most grateful to so many people here who have helped me grow and have given me advice and held me accountable,” she said. “So many people who have brought youth voice into policy and decision making. I feel like I have really grown HCTAYC and grown up in HCTAYC. My professional career with HCTAYC has been a huge part of what inspired me to apply. It’s been an amazing healing opportunity for me.”

-###-

Follow us on Twitter: @HumCoDHHS.

PDF Release with Embedded Image
Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Health & Human Services

This summer stay safe near the water

Posted on: June 17, 2021

Cyanobacteria in the Mad River

Posted on: May 28, 2021

Low-cost rabies vaccines

Posted on: May 25, 2021

Wet weather test period begins today

Posted on: March 8, 2021

Three test positive at Sempervirens

Posted on: December 15, 2020

Holiday Food Safety

Posted on: November 23, 2020

Quitting smoking starts with one day

Posted on: November 13, 2020

Dry weather test period extended

Posted on: October 2, 2020

Cyanobacteria confirmed in Mad River

Posted on: September 15, 2020

Low-cost rabies vaccines available

Posted on: July 28, 2020

COVID-19 CDC guidance for businesses

Posted on: February 24, 2020

Dental Health Fair offers free screenings

Posted on: February 19, 2020

Wet weather test period begins today

Posted on: February 3, 2020
Dr. Frankovich, DHHS Health Officer

County welcomes new Health Officer

Posted on: January 30, 2020

Food safety helps keep holidays healthy

Posted on: November 26, 2019
DHHSConnectFall2019_Thumb

DHHS Connect Fall 2019

Posted on: November 22, 2019

Quitting smoking starts with one day

Posted on: November 20, 2019

Restaurant inspection records now online

Posted on: November 4, 2019

Food safety during a power outage

Posted on: October 25, 2019

Water efficiency workshop scheduled

Posted on: September 17, 2019

Second annual Healthy Snack Day coming up

Posted on: September 11, 2019

Seventh annual Wellness Week kicks off

Posted on: August 12, 2019
SpringConnect2019_sm

DHHS Connect Summer 2019

Posted on: July 3, 2019
DHHSConnect_Spring2019

Spring 2019 DHHS Connect

Posted on: April 19, 2019

Wet weather test period extended

Posted on: March 29, 2019

Wet weather test period begins today

Posted on: February 11, 2019
WinterDHHSConnect

Winter DHHS Connect

Posted on: December 17, 2018

Make holiday food safety a priority

Posted on: November 19, 2018

Dry weather test period extended

Posted on: October 1, 2018
DHHSConnect-Summer2018

DHHS Connect - Summer 2018

Posted on: September 6, 2018

Sixth annual Wellness Week planned

Posted on: August 2, 2018

June 27 is National HIV Testing Day

Posted on: June 25, 2018

This single question can save a life

Posted on: June 12, 2018

May is Hepatitis Awareness Month

Posted on: May 17, 2018
DHHS Connect Spring 2018

DHHS Connect Spring 2018

Posted on: April 18, 2018

CWS opens Office of the Ombudsperson

Posted on: April 13, 2018

LAMP approved by North Coast Water Board

Posted on: February 22, 2018

Wet weather test period begins today

Posted on: January 29, 2018
SquareCover-Winter2018

DHHS Connect Winter 2018

Posted on: January 11, 2018

Start 2018 with emergency preparedness

Posted on: December 21, 2017

Make holiday food safety a priority

Posted on: November 21, 2017

Final LAMP available for review

Posted on: October 31, 2017
10-2017_Square-NewsFlash

DHHS Connect Fall 2017

Posted on: October 4, 2017

Dry weather test period extended

Posted on: October 3, 2017

Cyanobacteria confirmed in Big Lagoon

Posted on: September 1, 2017
DHHSConnect0717

DHHS Connect Summer 2017

Posted on: July 11, 2017

Low-cost rabies vaccines available

Posted on: May 10, 2017

New Public Health Director Named

Posted on: May 3, 2017

Redwood Coast Career Fair Tuesday

Posted on: April 26, 2017

Wet weather test period extended

Posted on: April 17, 2017

Career Fair scheduled for May 2

Posted on: April 14, 2017

DHHS Connect Spring 2017

Posted on: April 10, 2017

Cal-Learn helps young parents thrive

Posted on: March 17, 2017

Make preteen vaccines a priority

Posted on: February 14, 2017

Dog tests positive for rabies

Posted on: February 7, 2017

Cervical health promoted

Posted on: January 27, 2017

Kick smoking for good in 2017

Posted on: January 11, 2017

DHHS Connect Winter 2016-2017

Posted on: December 28, 2016

Keep the holidays happy with food safety

Posted on: December 21, 2016

Volunteers needed for Point-in-Time count

Posted on: December 15, 2016

Wet weather test period opens

Posted on: December 12, 2016

World AIDS Day recognized Dec. 1

Posted on: November 29, 2016

Veterans' service recognized year-round

Posted on: November 8, 2016

Housing campaign exceeds goal

Posted on: November 2, 2016

DHHS Connect Oct. 2016

Posted on: October 6, 2016

Housing campaign hits goal early

Posted on: September 15, 2016

Orleans cat tests positive for rabies

Posted on: September 2, 2016

Blue-green algae warning issued

Posted on: July 15, 2016

Redwood Coast Career Fair Friday

Posted on: May 16, 2016

Be a hero to a foster child

Posted on: April 15, 2016

Don’t forget preteen vaccines

Posted on: February 8, 2016

Wet weather test period opens

Posted on: December 21, 2015

FluMist Available Now

Posted on: December 3, 2015

Serve up food safety this holiday season

Posted on: November 23, 2015

Schedule back-to-school vaccines now

Posted on: August 17, 2015

World Breastfeeding Week Fair at WIC

Posted on: August 3, 2015

Blue-green algae warning issued

Posted on: June 17, 2015

Keep water recreation fun and safe

Posted on: June 11, 2015

May is Mental Health Month

Posted on: April 30, 2015

Career Fair May 15

Posted on: April 29, 2015

Gonorrhea rates up in Humboldt County

Posted on: April 17, 2015

West Nile testing starts April 15

Posted on: April 14, 2015

Vaccines for Preteens

Posted on: February 10, 2015

Foster families urgently needed

Posted on: January 30, 2015

Cervical health promoted

Posted on: January 9, 2015

Wet weather test period opens

Posted on: January 5, 2015