1st of May 2024

May is an incredibly important month for the field of Child Welfare. It is the month we promote Foster Care awareness and the critical need for access to quality Mental Health services without stigma.

At Trinity, we have long believed that simply the act of removing a child from their home and family, regardless of the reasons, is a traumatic event. Being placed in the home of strangers, no matter how kind and caring, can trigger emotional stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Children in the Foster Care system, whether in a kinship, resource family or residential placement, often need mental health supports so they can heal, thrive, and move toward successful permanency.

There are currently 45,000 foster children in California. We know, firsthand, that it truly “takes a village” to provide these children with the services and supports they need. It takes teams of highly qualified,  well-trained individuals: resource parents, social workers, direct care staff, mental health professionals, administrators, advocates, policymakers, mentors, volunteers, and community members to ensure trauma-affected children and youth have access to opportunities that will lead to their success. Thank you to our staff for the incredible work they do for these children each day, making an enormous difference in their lives.

SAMSHA released the following list of ways everyone can help children and youth in Foster Care:

• By teaching children and teens coping skills, we can empower them to take charge of their mental health.
• Know the signs of mental health issues in children and teens. Early diagnosis and treatment can save lives.
• Start the conversation early: talking about mental health can help children and teens build coping skills and feel comfortable with their emotions.
• Nurturing relationships and environments are important for helping children and teens develop good mental health and manage life stressors in healthy ways.
• Good mental health increases the ability of children and teens to practice self-care and face challenges with resilience.

LGBTQIA+ youth are disproportionally represented in Foster Care and face additional stressors:

• Family support is important for the well-being of LGBTQIA+ youth: it can reduce their risk for depression, substance use, suicide, and other mental health challenges.
• Social support, including from friends, families, and communities can help LGBTQIA+ people feel loved and accepted.
• Peer support can be a lifeline for LGBTQIA+ people facing mental health issues.
• Acknowledging and celebrating the identities of LGBTQIA+ people helps build their self-confidence and emotional well-being

Foster children deserve to grow up safe and loved, regardless of their placement. They deserve to be cared for by people who are dedicated to their health, happiness and advancement. I’d like to thank our staff who plays a tremendous role in the lives of these children. Thank you for all you do.

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Cher Ofstedahl, CEO
Cher leads our agency which serves over 200 children and families daily through residential therapeutic services, mental health programs, foster care and adoption services. Cher advocates for children in need after experiencing her own childhood trauma. Her firsthand experience gives her unique insight into our mission to help children and families create a better future. Cher has been with Trinity Youth Services for over 20 years In 2019, Cher completed her master’s degree in ethical leadership from Claremont Lincoln University. Cher currently serves on the Human Relations Committee for the City of Claremont to help oversee their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts, serves on the Policy and Practice Commission for the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), is on the Juvenile Justice Steering Committee for the California Alliance for Children & Families, is a Design Thinking Department Advisor at University of California, Riverside and serves on the board for the Association of Community Human Service Agencies (ACHSA). In 2018, she was recognized by Senator Anthony Portantino as Outstanding Nonprofit Executive Director and, in 2022, Cher was named Woman of Distinction by Assemblymember Chris Holden.