Bakersfield (Main Office)
100 E California Ave
Bakersfield, CA 93307
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Press Releases - Archives      current

February 27, 2013
“Hope Through Mentoring” Conference Planned at CSUB
Saturday, April 6th, 2013
(Bakersfield, CA) - The Kern County Methamphetamine Reduction Task Force is partnering with Kern County Mental Health and California State University, Bakersfield to sponsor a conference on adult-to-youth mentoring on Saturday, April 6, 2013 on the campus of CSUB from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. “Hope Through Mentoring – Change Starts with Me” will be a day-long conference... (Click here for more details)

February 21, 2013
Listen to Child Protective Services Assistant Director, Antanette Reed, discussing the Safely Surrendered Baby Law with local KERN talk radio personality, Jeff Lemucchi.

February 4, 2013
February is Safely Surrendered Baby Awareness Month
(Bakersfield, CA) - For most people, the birth of a child is a happy occasion celebrated with family and friends. But for some women, childbirth becomes a crisis - and the decisions made following an infant's birth can be a matter of life or death for the child.

The Safely Surrendered Baby Law responds to the increasing number of newborn infant deaths due to abandonment in unsafe locations. First signed into law in January 2001, the Safely Surrendered Baby Law became permanent in January 2006. The law’s intent is to save the lives of newborn infants at risk of abandonment by encouraging parents or persons with lawful custody to safely surrender the infant within 72 hours of birth, with no questions asked....more

November 2, 2012
The 25th Anniversary Holiday Cottage
Where Wishes Do Come True...
The Department of Human Services announces the Grand Opening Celebration of the 25th Anniversary Holiday Cottage on Tuesday, November 20, 2012. The celebration begins promptly at 10:30am at East Hills Mall, 3000 Mall View Road, Suite 1047...more

October 30, 2012
November is National Adoption Awareness Month!
Please join us in celebrating November as National Adoption Awareness Month here in Kern County! Today, October 30th, the Kern County Board of Supervisors will proclaim November as Adoption Awareness Month, as we kick off our month long effort to raise awareness about adoption, and the steps needed for adopting children that are waiting for loving families right now in Kern County.

Kern County’s 10th Annual National Adoption Day celebration will be held Friday, November 16th, 2012, beginning with a press conference at 12:30 PM...more

October 24, 2012
Ribbon Cutting Celebrates Innovation & Improved Customer Service
The Department of Human Services invites you to attend the Open House and Ribbon Cutting for our expanded Customer Assistance Telecenter (CAT). The Ribbon Cutting and community tours will take place on Monday, October 29th at 9:30 in the morning at 3041 Wilson Road, in partnership with the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce...more

August 6, 2012
Back To School Haircuts For Newest Heart Gallery Kids
In a unique community partnership, The Heart Gallery, Curl Talk Salon and Misty Dameron Photography will work together for a brother and sister about to enter the Heart Gallery. On Tuesday, August 7th beginning at 9:30 am, 9-year-old Haley and 6-year old Gaspar will be treated to haircuts and a personal photo shoot, getting them ready for back to school and their first photo shoot to enter the Heart Gallery...more

July 31, 2012
August is Purple Ribbon Month
Never Leave A Child In A Car...
The Department of Human Services, with support from First Five Kern, the Kern County Network for Children and our local public safety & community partners, are launching "Purple Ribbon Month" in memory of Kaitlyn Marie Russell. Following is a list of opportunities and events where parents and caregivers can learn more about "Purple Ribbon Month", pick up materials, and make a personal pledge to never leave a child alone in a motor vehicle...more

June 29, 2012
Water Safety Coalition Press Conference
  Media Kit  Kern Statistics  Kern Cares
Summer is upon us, and as we approach the Fourth of July, the Water Safety Coalition would like to highlight the importance of water safety. Please join us at the Kern River Campground to hear the latest on the conditions of the Kern River, and as we cover the basic water safety tips, including lakes, canals, swimming pools, and simple ways to teach water safety to your children. We promise great visuals, a demonstration from Search and Rescue, and practical advice for families to remember as we head into summer and the peak water season! Rescue and emergency vehicles will be on site, and experts available for one on one media interviews. Local drowning and drowning incident information will also be provided...more

June 28, 2012
Teen Parents Beat The Odds
(Bakersfield, CA) - On Thursday, June 28, 2012, the Department of Human Services (DHS) will celebrate the success of Kern County teen parents who have beaten the odds by graduating from High School or earning their GED. We are pleased to celebrate more than 100 youth who have accomplished this important milestone, in spite of the challenges they faced.

The CalGrad Graduation Celebration will bring students and their children from all over Kern County to celebrate their accomplishment together. The Graduation program, which begins with sign in at 10:00AM at the Kern County Museum, 3801 Chester Avenue, Bakersfield, will honor these teenage parents who have chosen to remain focused and motivated in order to complete their high school education... more

January 30, 2012
February is Safely Surrendered Baby Awareness Month
(Bakersfield, CA) - For most people, the birth of a child is a happy occasion celebrated with family and friends. But for some women, childbirth becomes a crisis - and the decisions made following an infant's birth can be a matter of life or death for the child.

The Safely Surrendered Baby Law responds to the increasing number of newborn infant deaths due to abandonment in unsafe locations. First created in January 2001, the Safely Surrendered Baby Law was signed permanently into state law in January 2006. The law's intent is to save lives of newborn infants at risk of abandonment by encouraging parents or persons with lawful custody to safely surrender the infant within 72 hours of birth, with no questions asked...more

November 22, 2011
24th Annual DHS Holiday Cottage Grand Opening Celebration
The Department of Human Services announces the Grand Opening Celebration of the 24th Anniversary Holiday Cottage on Tuesday, November 22, 2011. The celebration begins promptly at 10:30am at The Ice House, 3401 Chester Avenue, Suite E... more

November 4, 2011
Fifth Annual Heart Gallery Gala Celebration
The Heart Gallery - A Gallery of Hope hosts the Fifth Annual Heart Gallery Gala tonight, Friday, November 4th , 2011 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Junior League of Bakersfield Community Center, 1928 19th street. We are excited to introduce you to the newest Heart Gallery children and several local Kern County families who have been completed through adoption. The public is encouraged to attend this free event coordinated by the Department of Human Services with support from our community partners in Adoption...more

October 28, 2011
November is National Adoption Awareness Month!
Please join us in celebrating November as National Adoption Awareness Month here in Kern County! We invite the community to join us for the 5th Annual Heart Gallery Gala, returning this year to the Junior League of Bakersfield's Community Center, 1928 19th street. The event will be held on First Friday Downtown, Friday, November 4th, from 4 - 7 PM. The event will include a resource fair, where community members can talk with a variety of agencies that support the adoption process in Kern County. The Junior League of Bakersfield will also be offering tours of their new "Girls Achievement Program Training Room," a room dedicated to meeting the needs of foster girls nearing emancipation...more

October 12, 2011
Foster Youth Learn Life Skills - 9th Annual "Independent City"
Imagine turning 18 and being out on your own without a family to fall back on. How would you feel? For many teens in foster care, that is the reality they face. But with the help of the Independent Living Program at the Department of Human Services, "Independent City" is just one effort being made to help equip these youth with the tools they will need to succeed...more

September 28, 2011
CalFresh Grant Offers Opportunity to Tackle Obesity Crisis in Kern County
Kern County Department of Human Services Director Pat Cheadle and Public Health Services Director Matt Constantine are pleased to announce that Kern County has been identified to receive a one-time grant that will be used to help both agencies work towards improving the wellbeing of county residents, with a focus on CalFresh recipients...more