Kern County Department of Human Services

Today, the Kern County Board of Supervisors declared March 2026 Social Work Month in the County of Kern. All month long, we will be highlighting our social workers who work hard every day to protect children and families in our community.

Last Friday at Adventist Health, we recognized Safe Surrender Awareness Month and this life-saving option for parents in crisis. Thank you to the Munoz Family for sharing their powerful adoption story, and to our teams and first responders for their compassion. 💙

🩵Today at the Kern County Board of Supervisors, the Safely Surrendered Baby Coalition came together to declare February as Safely Surrendered Awareness Month. By raising awareness, we can ensure every baby has the opportunity for a safe and loving future.

Our partner KCAHT hosted a screening of Removing Labels, followed by a Q&A with our amazing CSEC team. Proud to stand together against human trafficking. #humantraffickingawareness For more information, please visit kcdhs.org/resources/huma…

This month, we recognize the Safe Surrender Baby Law, implemented in 2001 to address and reduce infant abandonment. We encourage you to share this important message and visit for further information. kcdhs.org/ssb Call 211 or 1-877-BABYSAF (222-9723) #SafeSurrender

KCDHS Child Protective Services Bureau is excited to announce Sunya Barton as the February 2026 Employee of the Month! Read More: instagram.com/p/DUJOSTumOT9/…

KCDHS Program Support Bureau are excited to announce Information and Communications Services (ICS) as January Employees of the Month! Read More: instagram.com/kerncountydhs/

Holiday Hours. Thank you for your patience and have a wonderful holiday! • For CalFresh or Medi-Cal please visit benefitscal.org or call 1-877-328-9677. • Child Abuse Hotline-(661) 631-6011 (Countywide) or (760) 375- 6049 (Ridgecrest)

We are hiring! kerncounty.com/careers - Contract Administrator

Due to recent federal court orders, CDSS has notified counties that November CalFresh benefits will be issued in full beginning today. Check your balance via your EBT card or at BenefitsCal.com. Continue submitting reports and recertifications on time.

In observance of Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11th, 2025 all our offices will be closed. We will reopen on Wednesday, November 12th. benefitscal.org call 1-877-328-9677 -Child Abuse Hotline-(661) 631-6011 (Countywide) or (760) 375- 6049 (Ridgecrest)

KCDHS Holiday Cottage is officially open! Learn More: instagram.com/p/DQuSqSeDh8P/… #KernCountyHolidayCottage #HolidayCottage #KernCounty

KCDHS Executive Bureau is proud to recognize Ingrid Martinez-Villegas, Mentor and Social Service Worker III in Family Services, as our November 2025 Employee of the Month! 🩷 Read More: instagram.com/p/DQmoSNDja48/…

If you’re a Kern County resident affected by the Federal Government Shutdown, help is available. 👉 Visit capk.org/shutdown for local resources and support. #KernCounty #GovernmentShutdown #CommunitySupport

KCDHS is proud to thank the Leadership Bakersfield Team 2 for their incredible work completing both phases of the transformation project at the Jamison Children’s Center, Kern County’s only 24-hour emergency shelter for children. Read more: instagram.com/p/DP65RrcASyb/…

FREE EVENT⭐️ Come admire stunning cars from vintage classics to modern beauties! Bring the whole family for fun activities, enjoy delicious food, and support a great cause. All donations collected will go directly to Kern County children in foster care. kernholidaycottage.com

🩷On October 3rd, KCDHS honored Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a special walk dedicated to raising awareness and showing support for those affected. We were privileged to interview one of our staff and share their story: instagram.com/p/DPUMkWWEyqn/…

KCDHS' Program Support Bureau is pleased to announce Anthony Gamon, as October 2025 Employee of the Month! Read more: instagram.com/p/DPRf-N7j8eC/