Educator Named to Families Commission

Crystal Kochendorfer, a former social worker and longtime child educator, was appointed chairwoman Wednesday of the Orange County Children and Families Commission.

The county panel was created under Proposition 10, a state initiative passed by voters in 1998 that added a 50-cent sales tax on tobacco products to fund educational programs, child care and health resources for children up to age 5.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference for our county’s youngest citizens, who are usually the most needy,” Kochendorfer said.

In 1988, she was elected to the Capistrano Unified School District Board of Trustees, on which she served as president three times.

Among Kochendorfer’s planned projects is to partner the commission with 13 county school districts to identify child health and learning barriers. The commission will also look at the importance of dental care to overall heath, as well as the increasing numbers of young children and their families living in motels throughout Orange County.

Kochendorfer said her interest in child advocacy and education issues stems from her experience as a social worker for Los Angeles and Long Beach in 1966.

“She’s got the front-line experience and knows what it takes to promote educational success,” said Children and Families Commission Executive Director Michael Ruane.