Building a Collaborative

"Why can't people just work together?" isn't just a dream in Kern County, it's a reality. Since 1992 Kern County communities have realized the power that collaboration has on our ability to care for our children and families. Collaboration very simply means working together so that we focus on the strengths that each of us brings to the table, which strengthens our ability to change our communities. Regardless of the community or neighborhood, people in Kern County want similar things. They want their children to be safe and happy. They want good jobs. They want their children to grow up in positive environments. And that is precisely why many communities throughout Kern County have organized local collaboratives.

Links to Accredited Kern County Collaboratives and Family Resource Centers with a webpage:

Buttonwillow Community Collaborative ACCREDITED

East Bakersfield Community Coalition ACCREDITED

  • EB Kidz Club

    Mountain Communities Collaborative ACCREDITED

    Kern River Valley Collaborative ACCREDITED

  • Kern River Valley Health, Recreation, and Safety Fair

    Shafter Healthy Start Collaborative ACCREDITED

  • Let’s Get Healthy / Seamos Saludables

    South Valley Neighborhood Partnership (Lamont/Weedpatch FRC) ACCREDITED

    Other Collaboratives are available by phone. Please use the Guide to Local Collaboratives to help families access services in their own communities.

    More About Collaboration and Accreditation:

    We know that the issues of safety, healthy families, economic development and other issues faced daily by families simply cannot be addressed by only one organization or person. Local collaboratives are not entities in and of themselves, but rather a collection of organizations and people representing businesses, government, nonprofits, schools, and community residents, all of who are passionate about children. Local collaboratives work hand-in-hand with their many partners and the Kern County Network for Children's Governing and Advisory Boards to develop real solutions that truly meet the needs of community residents.

    Most Collaboratives in Kern County have completed a Collaborative Accreditation process. Accreditation (willingly submitting to self-study and evaluation) builds commitment and fosters deeper understanding of collaboration among group members, area residents, service partners, funders, and policy makers. The accreditation process was also designed to promote a uniform child well-being agenda throughout the county. The ultimate goal of this process is to measurably improve outcomes for all children and their families.

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