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Our Mission

The mission of Kern County Network for Children is to protect and enrich the lives of children in Kern County through the commitment of all community partners by helping to build and sustain healthy families.

Our Goals

squarebullet: Strengthening families, thereby enriching the lives of our children
squarebullet: Promoting family self-sufficiency
squarebullet: Identifying the most critical children's issues county-wide, and developing strategies for addressing these issues
squarebullet: Determining gaps and overlaps in services
squarebullet: Sharing information about children's services and recommending ways to make them more effective and efficient

Meet Our Governing Board

The KCNC Governing Board is a dedicated group of County senior policy makers, representatives from private business and leaders of community based organizations that explores needed changes in county policies and develops public/private partnerships to improve the lives of Kern County children and their families.

cccccarseat062: Back-to-School Car Seat Inspection

Sexual Abuse Awareness

For many, the sexual abuse of children can be very difficult to talk about. Research shows that without intervention victims of sexual abuse are likely to experience psychological problems as they become older, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anger, depression, inappropriate sexual behavior, poor self-esteem, difficulty with close relationships and substance abuse.

It's our responsibility!

Learn more about services available to prevent the sexual abuse of children and protect those who are victims at KernCares.Org

Welcome to the Network For Children!

Created in 1992, the Kern County Network for Children (KCNC) harnesses the power of community action in meeting the critical needs of Kern County's children and families. KCNC takes pride in assisting local community collaboratives and family service agencies in developing integrated service delivery models to help identify and address the most critical children's issues in Kern County.

We believe in:

  • Personal responsibility and family self-sufficiency as the cornerstones of resilient, stable communities;
  • Grassroots solutions to local problems;
  • Empowering local residents to address common concerns;
  • Locally-based, accessible services;
  • Program accountability and delivery of cost-effective services

KCNC programs and initiatives serve many functions benefiting children and families in Kern County and are carried out through the active involvement of government leaders, nonprofit agencies, organizations, businesses and private individuals.

Promoting Community Connections
  • General Collaborative Meetings
  • Resources & technical assistance to family service providers
  • Kern County Report Card
  • Event calendar
    		• Advocating for Families & Children
  • Kern Cares
  • Differential Response
  • Foster Youth Dream Center & Coffee House
  • Foster Youth Services & AB490 liaison activities
  • Directory of Local Collaboratives
  • Community resources to assist families
    		• Developing Community Leadership
  • Training opportunities
  • Leadership Development Program
  • Recipes for Community Success Handbook
  • Post your agency's training on the KCNC website

    • What's New

  • 2011 Kern County Report Card released
  • Kern County Service Provider Resource Guide
  • California Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training
  • Tips for Differential Service Providers: Building Rapport with Families & Home Visit Safety
  • The KCNC Newsletter has gone electronic! Sign up today to receive it via your computer!
  • Register on-line for KCNC trainings and events


    Kern County Network for Children is recognized throughout the county, state, and nation by the following organizations for innovative, collaborative approaches to caring for children and families:

    United States Conference of Mayors • National Association of Counties • National League of Cities • American Association of School Administrators • International City/County Management Association • National School Boards Association • California State Association of Counties • California Department of Health Services • Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce • Junior League of Bakersfield • United Way of Kern County • Kern COG • Mexican American Opportunity Foundation • The Foundation Consortium


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