Overcoming Challenges
Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Sometimes we run into challenges that can stop us in our tracks, but there is help!
We have compiled some very helpful resources here for seniors looking for information, programs, resources, and other services in Kern County related to nutrition and food services, benefits, technology assistance, employment, health and wellness.
Senior Services
Independent Living of Kern County
American Association of Retired Persons
California Department of Aging
Bakersfield AARP
Kern County Aging and Adult Services
Adaptive Technology and Assistance
California Department on Aging
Department of Rehabilitation
PathPoint
Employment
Employment Development Department
Health & Caregiver Services
Kern County Aging and Adult Services
- Information and Referral Program
- Health Care Counseling
- In-Home Supportive Services
- Aging Disability Resource Connection
- Care Providers
California Department of Aging
Devices & Technology
Cell Phones
Technology
If you are interested in seeking work that requires higher levels of education there are a multitude of opportunities to get necessary credentials through Bakersfield Adult School, Community Colleges, and Universities in Kern County.
Getting Your GED
Bakersfield Adult School has GED preparation classes, a program for finishing your high school diploma, job training, and more!
Check out our GED Testing Lab at our Kern County Library’s main library, Beale Memorial.
University, Community, Vocational Technical and Career Colleges
Kern County Community College District – Workforce Development Training Programs
- Bakersfield College
- Taft College
- Cerro Coso College
- California State University, Bakersfield
- High Desert Medical College
- San Joaquin Valley College
- UEI College
- Contractors State License Schools
- California Community Colleges Virtual Campus
- Contractors State License Schools
- California Community Colleges Virtual Campus
Other Educational Resources
- Educational Support K-12
- Find Other Educational Training
- The Kern Literacy Council provides a variety or services including free one-to-one or small group tutoring on a variety of subjects for K-12 and adults.
- Book Connections
- Britannica Escolar
- Britannica School
- CK-12
- Cool Math Games
- Diverse Book Finder
- Milestone Documents in American History (Salem Press)
- ProQuest Homework Center
- ProQuest Research Companion
- Quizlet
- Teaching Books
- Tuition Funding Sources
- Gale Books and Authors
- Gale In Context: Biography
- Gale In Context: High School
- Gale In Context: Middle School
- Gale OneFile: High School Edition
- Gale OneFile: Informe Académico
- Kids Infobits
Here are some helpful support services for job seekers who might struggle with language barriers in their job search.
- The Bakersfield Adult School offers low-cost ESL Language Skills Courses to assist in meeting the needs of learners at various skill levels of English language proficiency – register now!
- The Kern County Superintendent of Schools has many English Learning Development Resources for children and adults!
- The Department of Labor has many Spanish Speaking Resources available to help.
- Employers’ Training Resource provides a List of Educational and Training Resources for ESL Classes.
- The Kern Literacy Council provides one-to-one or small group tutoring for children k-12 and adults learning English as their second language. Together, you and your tutor will work on reading, writing, and speaking.
- Here are some tips to help you explain them and provide justification.
- Here are more guidelines to help you move successfully through any interview when addressing gaps.
There are lots of work options that could be a perfect fit for you.
- America’s Job Center has a list of assistance programs and support for you on their Resources for Clients with Disabilities page!
- Also, State of California’ Department of Development Service’s Path Point program provides Life Skills Programs and Job Support Services for employment integration for persons with developmental disabilities.
- The California Department of Rehabilitation offers Specialized Services for Individuals with Disabilities.
- Are you interested in working while on disability benefits? Find support and learn how benefits are affected by a job here.
The Employment Development Department (EDD) offers a Expungement Process Workshop about the Expungement Process on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month from 10:30am to 11:30am.
- Check out Career One Stop’s Information about your rights regarding Employment Background Checks.
- The Library of Congress has compiled informative and helpful Employment Resources for justice-involved individuals to support their re-entry into the workforce.
- Kern County Probation
- California Parole Services
- United States Probation Office – Eastern District of California
- Kern County Law Library Legal Resources
- California Fair Chance Act, AKA Ban the Box
Homelessness
- The Bakersfield Homeless Center provides emergency shelter for women and families and provides daily meals for anyone who needs them. Call (661)322-9199 to learn about their services, including the job program, homelessness prevention, and more.
- The Mission at Kern County provides emergency shelter for single men, along with other services and programs.
- St. Vincent de Paul is a day shelter where those in need can access meals, clothing, showers, and more.
- The Family Justice Center provides emergency housing matching services for those fleeing Domestic Violence. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4pm (closed from 12pm to 1pm).
- Catholic Charities Diocese of Fresno is a Community Benefit Organization serving the needs of those in crisis. We are the first responders in helping our neighbors with food, clothing and other basic necessities regardless of age, race, or beliefs.
There are many support systems you can obtain due to your military service and/or veteran status.
- The Kern County Veterans Service Department is the best place to start! KCVSD provides information and help with benefits and job assistance programs.
- Kern Patriot Partnership connects veterans with employers that have pledged to give Veterans first consideration when hiring.
- CalVet / CalTAP provides Employment Resources for Veterans.
- Career One Stop has a Veterans Job Matcher.
- Career One Stop hosts a one-stop Veteran and Military Transition Center for employment, training, and financial help.
Did you know there are a variety of transportation services that serve areas all across Kern County and beyond?
- There is Golden Empire Transit Bus, Kern Regional Transit, and Amtrak Bakersfield.
- Check out this Comprehensive List of Transportation in Kern County.
- Bike Bakersfield‘s Earn A Bike program allows volunteers to build their own bike with materials from the shop, free of charge, in exchange for 12 volunteer hours with Bike Bakersfield.
- Arvin Transit
- Delano Area Rapid Transit
- Call 2-1-1 Kern County with any questions!
Community Action Partnership of Kern’s (CAPK) 2-1-1 Kern County connects callers with information and referral specialists who can help refer them to a variety of services in Kern County.
- 2-1-1 Kern County helps low-income residents with transportation options, as well as providing ways to pursue educational goals, secure and retain employment, maintain adequate housing, access medical services, obtain utility bill payment subsidies and residential weatherization assistance, contract hunger and food insecurity, obtain childcare and preschool education, and engage in personal and family development opportunities to build and achieve individual and family self-sufficiency.
There are many helpful assistance programs and services that may be hard to find in Kern County so we have compiled them here for you!
Assistance for People with Physical Disabilities
State of California Resources
Disability Benefits
Department of Rehabilitation (DOR)
Valley Center for the Blind Programs
Pathpoint Kern County – Assistive Technology
Young People & Benefits
Childcare
2-1-1 Kern County Childcare Resources
Community Connection for Childcare
NAMI Kern County Senior Care Resources
Bakersfield Adult School Childcare Center
Circle of Care Guidebook – This guidbook provides resources for caretakers of children with rare or serious illnesses.
Substance dependency can make it difficult to function in the most happy and health ways and we are here to help by providing links to programs and services that can help!
- Clinica Sierra Vista Substance Use Disorders. Clinica Sierra Vista has two substance use disorder centers located in Bakersfield and Delano.
- Behavior Health and Recovery Services. Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services provides a 24/hr Substance Use Disorder Access Line, at (866)266-4898.
This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
