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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.

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.

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 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

  • Join us May 15 for the General Collaborative Meeting from 8:30 a.m.to 10:00 a.m. at University Square. There will be presentations from Kern County Probation, Kern County Aging and Adult Services, The Foundation for SUCCESS and Kern County Mental Health Consumer Family Learning Center!
  • The Kern County Network for Children is pleased to present the 2008 Conditions of Children Report Card. Each year, the Report Card provides a current and comprehensive snapshot of the status of children and families in Kern County. More...
  • Child Advocacy Network Recommended Best Practices for Court Ordered Parenting Classes pdf symbol:
  • Register on-line for KCNC trainings and events
  • Nurturing Natural Leaders
    Visit the new 2008 Leadership Development Training Program website and see what is going on at the next seminar! Also meet our 2008 Leadership Development participants!


    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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