HelpLine

HelpLine - Information and Referral Service

1helpline: logo

"Linking People to Services"
In Bakersfield
(661) 336-5200 voice
(661) 336-5286 TTY

Toll free throughout Kern County
1-800-273-2275 voice
1-800-551-1868 TTY

HelpLine is a countywide information and referral service. The service is free of charge and the HelpLine can be reached toll-free from anywhere in Kern County. HelpLine covers the areas from Ridgecrest to Lost Hills, and from Delano to Frazier Park and Mojave.

HelpLine's Operators are trained in crisis intervention and assessment of each caller. Callers are individually assessed and referred to the appropriate social services to assist them with their needs. All HelpLine Operators are also Healthy Families Certified Application Assistants, and can help families apply for Healthy Families vision, dental, and health insurance. They may even make home visits to complete applications if necessary.

HelpLine Operators are all Spanish/English bilinguals and can offer services in a culturally relevant manner to Spanish speaking callers. The HelpLine may be reached by calling (661) 336-5200 in Bakersfield, 1-(800) 273-2275 toll-free throughout Kern County, or 1-(800) 551-1868 toll-free for TTY callers.

HelpLine has information on more than 13,000 programs and 600 agencies in their computerized database, and can quickly refer callers to all appropriate services in one call. HelpLine received more than 22,000 calls in 2001.

Top Priority Needs By order of Caller Requests:

  • Utility Payment Assistance
  • Emergency Food
  • Rental Assistance
  • Homeless Assistance
  • Health/Medical Care
  • Mental Health Care
  • Legal Assistance
  • Emergency Financial Aid
  • Emergency Response
  • Clothing Assistance
  • Furniture/Appliances
  • Affordable Child Care
  • Substance Abuse Issues
  • Family Abuse Issues
  • Baby Items

HelpLine Caller Demographics:

  • Callers' ethnicity was 43% Hispanic, 43% White, 11% African American, and 3% Other.
  • Callers who had income from Employment 37%, Public Aid 32%, Social Security or SSI 24%.
  • 16% were age 60 or older. 500 were age 80 or older.
  • 16% were monolingual Spanish speaking.
  • 71% had minor children.
  • 40% did not have health insurance of any kind.
  • Only 36% were high school graduates.
  • 97% were low income.
  • 81% were female.
  • 20% were disabled.
  • 13% were homeless.

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