sidebarlogo: Kern County Network for Children Logo

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

Get Connected!

Meet & hear from others interested in the well-being of Kern’s children & families at the next General Collaborative Meeting held every 3rd Thursday of each month from 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. at University Square!

  • Join us March 18th at University Square(2000 K St.) for presentations from California Highway Patrol, Kern County Veterans Service Department & Early Childhood Council of Kern.

  • 2010 Meeting dates.

    • 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
  • GIS Task Force
  • Event calendar
    		• Advocating for Families & Children
  • 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

  • Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) offers FREE income preparation for families and individuals with low to moderate incomes. Download the VITA flyer for location and date information.
  • Download 2010-2013 Community Collaborative Accreditation Forms and 2010-2013 Community Collaborative Accreditation Application
  • 2008-09 KCNC Annual Report
  • Kern County Service Provider Resource Guide
  • Tips for Differential Service Providers: Building Rapport with Families & Home Visit Safety
  • H1N1 Flu Brochures in English and Spanish to share with staff and families
  • The KCNC Newsletter has gone electronic! Sign up today to receive it via your computer!
  • Register on-line for KCNC trainings and events

    5-Minute Agency Spotlight

    Name: Nichoal Swenson
    Title/Position: Family Advocate
    Agency Name: Kern Child Probation
    Phone Number: 661-852-5782
    Fax Number: 661-852-5789
    Website Address: www.kernprobation.com

    How would you describe your agency and your role at the agency?
    "I establish a rapport with the minors and their families that are assigned to the Repeat Offender Prevention Program in Bakersfield. I share information and link the minors, their parents and families to services which will assist them in academic success reduce and resolve financial problems and maintain emotional well-being of minor and families. It is a collaborative effort between Departments of Probation, Mental Health, Public Health, the schools, and other public entities to provide a wrap-around service."

    Is there any other personal information you would like to share?
    "I am a very ambitious 25 year old Criminal Justice major. A mother of a beautiful 2 year old daughter and a wife of an inspirational, supportive husband. My commitment in helping children and families live better lives. Kern County is strong and together we will continue to find ways to do so."

    Join us at the next General Collaborative Meeting for your chance to be our next KCNC 5 Minute Spotlight! Meet our previous KCNC 5 Minute Spotlights!

    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


    print:   email: