5-Minute Agency Spotlight

How would you describe your agency and your role at the agency?
"The BPD does everything within its power to keep the streets of Bakersfield as safe as they can. We have a very dedicated staff of officers and support staff that work diligently 24/7, 365 days a year to accomplish this task. I have been with the department for over 22 years and am currently assigned to the Crime Prevention Detail. I provide training services to the community on Personal Safety, Neighborhood Watch, Violence in the Workplace, Senior Safety and Identity Theft. As a woman who gets paid to talk all day, I love my job.

My passion lies with children and seniors. I am chairman of a project called 'Bakersfield's Christmas for Seniors.' With the help of community members, businesses and families, we adopt low-income, isolated or homebound seniors. The magic of the project is mixing children with the seniors. It is a winning combination."

Is there any other personal information you would like to share?
"I have three grown children, Michelle, Melissa and Brian. They are all grown and married. I'm very proud of them as they were raised by a single mom and they all are very successful and happy in their lives. I have two of the cutest red headed granddaughters, Emily (7) and Jaclyn (4), you have ever seen."

January 2010

5-Minute Agency Spotlight

How would you describe your agency and your role at the agency?
"Community Action Partnership of Kern (the Partnership) was established in 1965 with a mission to provide and advocate for systems that help individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency, economic security, and improve the health, nutrition, and educational opportunities for all. The Partnership offers an integrated system of service programs that includes: The Family Health Center (FHC), Partnership Food Bank, 2-1-1 of Kern (24-hr. Information & Referral Service), WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children), Head Start, Migrant Childcare Alternative Payment Program, Home Energy & Weatherization, and HIV/AIDS Education.

I work in the WIC Program, the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. WIC provides food (via prescriptive checks), nutrition education and breastfeeding promotion and support to low and moderate-income women and children up to the age of five. As of October, the WIC program now offers more healthy choices like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. My role is partly to ensure that the WIC participants have access to these new foods, but also to build relationships with the neighborhood markets. Increasing the availability of healthy foods has been beneficial for business and the community."

Is there any other personal information you would like to share?
"An unexpected pleasure of my job has been getting to know the owners of the neighborhood markets. Each market is unique and most owners know their customers by name. Many are living the “American Dream”, owning a store sometimes as small as 800 sq. ft. and truly an important part of the neighborhood.

I serve on the GIS Task Force, the new Kern County Breastfeeding Coalition and I have developed Public Service Announcements to promote breastfeeding; Take a look. (YouTube: infokern) "

December 2009

5-Minute Agency Spotlight

How would you describe your agency and your role at the agency?
"The Society for Disabled Children is a local Bakersfield non-profit. The first meeting of the agency took place in 1947 at the El Tejon Hotel in downtown Bakersfield. Current programs offered at the agency ensure that children can attend medical appointments, have access to speech and language therapy services, necessary medical equipment and supplies, social activities and resident camp.

My role as the executive director is to oversee all of the programs, fundraising activities, and day-to-day operations of the Society as well as attend local community events and networking groups to share the mission and vision of our organization."

Is there any other personal information you would like to share?
"I have the best job anyone could ask for and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with a fantastic board and staff.

The secret to my success is my family. They are my biggest support group and generously donate their time and talents to my efforts."

November 2009

5-Minute Agency Spotlight

How would you describe your agency and your role at the agency?
"The Kern County Department of Child Support Services fundamentally believes, every child has the right to be supported by his/her parents. As such, KCDCSS provides services to over 60,000 families. To ensure families receive necessary financial support for the care and well-being of their children, KCDCSS establishes paternity, medical and child support orders. Once these orders are established, KCDCSS also enforces these orders through the collection and distribution of child support payments to families.

I am currently working on creating our Kids Count Resource Center, where customers can learn more about the child support program, ask questions, view program orientation videos, attend participant workshops and obtain valuable community resource information. I assist with our Early Intervention Team conducting interviews, answering questions and providing the Non-custodial parent with evening orientations that are staring the 2nd Tues in December. I also attend local community activities and provide program presentations to other organizations regarding the importance of paying support."

Is there any other personal information you would like to share?
"I started working for the Department of Human Services back in 1989 in Kings and Yolo County before coming to Kern County. I came to work for KCDCSS back in 2002 where I feel I am able to help children everyday. I am also married and have 2 boys that keep me very busy."

October 2009

5-Minute Agency Spotlight

How would you describe your agency and your role at the agency?
"The Ebony Counseling Center is a multi service agency with the primary tasks of providing adult outpatient substance abuse counseling and youth prevention education and youth development services. Ebony Counseling Center serves a unique clientele that is as diverse as the staff. Our clients include significant numbers of African-American, Latino and Caucasians. My position oversees Youth Services. I have developed and implemented youth programs. Other duties include grant writing totaling $500K in two years."

Is there any other personal information you would like to share?
"Born in San Francisco, I have dedicated my professional life towards developing effective human service programs. Through my efforts, Kern County residents have been employed, received services or have joined community coalitions. I say “In order to have the greatest impact, one must go where the problem is greatest.” Prevention is our most effective tool as community partners, it works by getting people to understand their impact on others."

August 2009

5-Minute Agency Spotlight

How would you describe your agency and your role at the agency?
"4-H is a non-formal educational youth development program administered by the University of California Cooperative Extension. Youth from 5 to 19 years old are eligible to participate in 4-H at varying degrees depending on their age. The emphasis of the program is to develop and promote citizenship, leadership and life skills in each 4-H member. Although commonly associated with rural youth and agriculture, 4-H is for ALL youth. You do not need to live on a farm or own animals to participate in 4-H. There are many 4-H projects and activities that are available to urban and city youth.

As a UC staff member I am the county coordinator for working with volunteers, collaborators and sponsors to bring the projects, special events, and activities of 4-H to the youth of Kern County."

Is there any other personal information you would like to share?
"I am a native of the San Joaquin Valley and Kern County has been my home for the last eight years. I have worked with youth serving agencies for over 25 years in California, Oregon, and Europe."

August 2009

Name: Rosie Shriver
Title/Position: Fund Development & Communications Manager
Agency Name: Girl Scouts of Central California South
Phone Number: 661-327-1409, x215
Fax Number: 661-327-3837
Website Address: www.GirlScoutsCCS.org

How would you describe your agency and your role at the agency?
"For over 95 years, Girl Scouts have been hard at work building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Through dynamic, hands-on program and a highly personalized experience, run largely by dedicated volunteers, Girl Scouts has had a hand in creating millions of leaders fully equipped to contribute to the improvement of society through the use of their own abilities and skills. Because over 50 million American women were once Girl Scouts, we have become a staple and important part of American life—and rightly so! In fact, over 60 percent of women listed in Who’s Who of American Women are Girl Scout Alumnae.

The Girl Scouts of Central California South Council (GSCCS) is the product of a 2008 merger between two previously existent councils: the Golden Valley Council and the Joshua Tree Council. The new council now serves five counties including the following: Kern, Tulare, Kings, Fresno, and Madera, reaches 12,000 girls between the ages of 5 and 18, and touts over 5,600 awesome volunteers. Through research-based curriculum, our leaders teach important, relevant life lessons that can be learned in the comfort and safety of a circle of peers.

I like to describe my role in the organization as a Visionary, planning the future of the Girl Scouts…but technically, I am the Fund Development & Communications Manager. I am always busy at work developing friendships and partnerships in the Kern community and showing off the great things girls can achieve when given the chance. I truly believe that once folks realize what awesome impact the Girl Scout experience has on our young girls, they will be motivated to get involved and stay involved with the Girl Scouts of Central California South."

Is there any other personal information you would like to share?
"I am not quite sure what to put here, but I will say that my husband and I are expecting our first child due on Christmas Day! –we’re super excited about that!"

June 2009

Name: Brian Parnell
Title/Position: Program Director, Kern County Child Protective Services
Agency Name: Kern County Department of Human Services
Phone Number: 661-631-6559
Fax Number: 661-631-6575
Website Address: www.kcdhs.org

How would you describe your agency and your role at the agency?
" It is the job of Child Protective Services to investigate reports of children being abused or neglected by their parents or other members of their households, and to address any needs discovered that relate to the family’s well-being. CPS works hard to provide a family the resources it needs to keep its children healthy and safe, but at times it becomes necessary to temporarily remove the children from their homes. When that happens, the first job of CPS becomes to help the parents address whatever problems led to the children’s removal so that they may regain custody as soon as the children can safely return. When the court determines children need to remain in out-of-home care long-term, CPS works to ensure the well being of the children while living away from their parents, and prepare them to successfully emancipate into adulthood.

My role is to oversee the Emergency Response Division, those social workers charged with investigating reports of abuse and neglect in all of Kern County. It’s my job to see that the social workers have the resources they need to get their job done, to monitor compliance with laws, regulations, and policies, to respond to inquiries from the public, and to continuously work on improving how we go about our work."

Is there any other personal information you would like to share?
" I am a life-long resident of Kern County, and have twenty years of experience in county government caring for the county’s children and families. Currently I am a Program Director with the Department of Human Services, and oversee a staff of 100 employees responsible for investigating reports of suspected child abuse and neglect, and the resolution of identified risks to families’ well being. I am fluent in Spanish, am skilled at team building, have many strong relationships with community agencies and interest groups, and have a record of creative development of agency resources. I have experience writing successful grant proposals."

May 2009

Name: David M. Kuge
Title/Position: Deputy Chief Probation Officer, Field Services
Agency Name: Kern County Probation Department
Phone Number: 661-868-4466
Fax Number: 661-868-4186
Website Address: http://kernprobation.com

Brief description of your agency and your role at the agency:
"The Kern County Probation Department is the most diverse public protection agency in the County. We are involved in the criminal justice system for adults by providing Pre-Sentence Investigation Reports to the Courts, supervising adult probation and linking adults with treatment programs for substance abuse, domestic violence, vocational training and many others. In the Juvenile Justice System, probation is involved with juveniles prior to their entrance into the system with a variety of prevention and early intervention services. We also provide Dispositional Reports for the Juvenile Court and the supervision of the wards. We also link wards with treatment services like substance abuse, educational services, vocational training, Aggression Replacement Training and many other counseling programs. Primarily, my function as the Deputy Chief is to coordinate all field activities and functions of the department, with the assistance of my Division Directors, in order to meet all of our mandates and services. I handle budget for the 3 divisions in my bureau, handle personnel issues and too many other duties to numerate."

Any other personal information you would like to share:
"I have been with the Probation Department for nearly 32 years, working in most all areas including starting as a Group Supervisor in Juvenile Hall. I spent many years in field services writing Court reports and as an armed officer with the Gang Intervention and Suppression Team. I was one of the Department’s Range Masters before promoting to management. I’m not sure why I’m still around except that I enjoy my work and feel I still have something to contribute to the Department. Still I’m able to spend a lot of my free time golfing, which I am still horrible at and probably will never be good."

March 2009

Name: Susan Price
Title/Position: Assistant Program Director, Employment Services
Agency Name: Kern County Department of Human Services
Phone Number: 661-635-2757
Fax Number: 661-635-2762
Website Address: www.co.kern.ca.us/dhs

What are the of your agency and what is your role at the agency?
"The Department of Human Services partners with children, individuals, families and the community to provide customer-centered services. We work to ensure safe, protected and permanent homes for children and we actively assist individuals as they prepare for employment."

"I am an assistant director over the CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work program. We serve participants in the program county-wide with the goal of assisting these customers in preparing for, seeking, and keeping employment. Education and training is another service that may be offered. We provide supportive services; transportation, clothing and child care in addition to referrals for services such as mental health, substance abuse and domestic violence. "

Is there any other personal information you would like to share?
"I have two wonderful daughters that also work for Kern County and a beautiful 3 year old granddaughter."

February 2009

Name: Janet Andrea
Title/Position: Public Health Nurse II
Agency Name: Kern County Department of Public Health
Phone Number: 661-635-2838
Fax Number: 661-635-2905
Website Address: Kern County Department of Public Health

Brief description of your agency and your role at the agency:
"The Kern County Department of Public Health provides an array of services and programs to protect, serve and educate the public in order to provide the citizens of Kern county optimal health. My role as a Public Health Nurse is to promote health in the home by case managing clients through education, referral, support and advocacy!"

Any other personal information you would like to share:
"I Love My Job!"

January 2009

Name: Jolene Forzetting
Title/Position: Case Manager
Agency Name: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
Phone Number: 661-321-4874
Fax Number: 661-328-9787
Website Address: www.kerncasa.org

Brief description of your agency and your role at the agency:
"I train and support volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children in Kern County. We are always looking for volunteers that are willing to be trained to advocate for children who are dependents of the courts."

Any other personal information you would like to share:
"I'm also a Sweet Adeline and sing and compete locally and internationally, as well as teach voice lessons."

December 2008

Name: Patty Keefer
Title/Position: Director of Marketing and Business Development
Agency Name: Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guidance Clinic
Phone Number: 661-322-1021
Fax Number: 661-322-7334
Website Address: www.hwmcgc.org

Brief description of your agency and your role at the agency:
"The Child Guidance Clinic is a Kern County Mental Health contract provider and non-profit mental health clinic for children and families. The Clinic treats children with emotional or behavioral issues through individual and family counseling, group therapy, in-home and school services, 24-hr crisis intervention, and more. My role at the agency is to increase community awareness of the services we provide, research opportunities to develop and fund new programs to fill gaps in mental health care for children, and network to build collaborative partners to ensure the health of our youth. We currently have a few specialty programs including an Early Intervention Program for children 0-5, Foster Family Agency, Girls Mentoring Program, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy Program, and an After-School Tutoring Program."

Any other personal information you would like to share:
"I love my job because I have the opportunity to do what I love and give back to children and the community on a daily basis, while being surrounded by wonderful people with a common vision."