S:2 E13 - How Does Bakersfield Angels Help Foster Children and Families? Ft. Allison McClain
Release Date: 05/08/2023
S:4 E01 It Takes A Village: The Vital Role of Family Resource Centers
Heartbeat of Human Services
In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month this April, we want to highlight the vital role of Family Resource Centers (FRC). These centers serve as a lifeline for families, providing essential resources, programs, and services that uplift and empower. From parenting classes to mental health support, FRCs help families navigate challenges and build a foundation for lasting success and well-being. Join Paola Hernandez for an interview with Dr. Mario Venegas, Director of the Arvin Family Resource Center; Melissa Vittoria, Director of the Kernville River Valley Family Resource Center in Lake...
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S:3 E12 Understanding Sleep Health ft. Dr. Kin Yuen
Heartbeat of Human Services
According to the National Sleep Foundation, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and the Sleep Research Society, it is recommended that young adults get 7 to 9 hours of sleep 😴. However, due to the effects of the pandemic, excessive screen time from electronics and other factors, students' mental health, academic performance, school attendance, and physical well-being have been adversely affected. In our latest podcast, we held a virtual interview with Dr. Kin Yuen, a board-certified sleep medicine specialist and Associate Professor at UCSF. During the interview, she explored the...
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S:3 E11 HopSkipDrive offers vital transportation services to the foster youth of Kern County
Heartbeat of Human Services
By joining forces, the Kern County Department of Human Services and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools have made it possible to bring the empowering and reliable transportation services of HopSkipDrive to the Bakersfield Metro area for youth in foster care. This collaboration ensures that foster youth can seamlessly access transportation to attend their classes, providing them with the support they need to pursue their education and future. Tune in as Curt Willliams, Director of Homeless and Foster Youth Services of KCSOS and DHS Program Director, Monica Goodell-Thatcher as they provide...
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S:3 E10 Learn About Retirement Ft. Sherry Willard of KCERA Part 2
Heartbeat of Human Services
We are back with another interview featuring Sherry Willard of the Kern County Employees' Retirement Association (KCERA). Sherry will be answering questions from our staff about terms like "3% at 60" or "1.62% at 65," discussing whether Social Security affects our pension, explaining how members can find out when they're eligible to retire, and much more. Make sure to tune in to the second part of our podcast! If you are a county employee and would like to learn more about retirement, please visit , call 661-381-7700 or Toll Free 877-733-6831, or email [email protected]
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S:3 E9 Learn About Retirement ft. Sherry Willard of KCERA
Heartbeat of Human Services
Preparing for retirement can be an exciting yet daunting milestone for county employees or anyone. Today, Jana will interview Sherry Willard, the Deputy Chief Member Services Officer at the Kern County Employees' Retirement Association (KCERA). Sherry will explain retirement plan terminology, frequently asked questions, additional assistance available for extra-help employees, and much more. Don't miss the first part of our latest podcast today! If you are a county employee and would like to learn more about retirement, please visit https://www.kcera.org/, call 661-381-7700 or Toll Free...
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S:3 E8 Summer Safety Tips Ft. Edlin Blankenship
Heartbeat of Human Services
We observe July as Purple Ribbon Month. During this time, we want to emphasize important child safety tips, including heat safety, hot car safety, water safety, and CPR. In our latest podcast episode, we feature EMT Edlin Blankenship from Kern County Public Health. She discusses her motivation for working in the medical field, shares her experiences with water-related hazards, offers advice on assisting individuals with heat-related illnesses, and highlights the free prevention classes available to the public through Kern County Public Health. Water Watchers For Free...
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S:3 E7 Family Reunification Month chat with Superior Court Judge Susan Gill
Heartbeat of Human Services
June is National Family Reunification Month. Listen in, as we chat with Superior Court Judge, Susan Gill, from the Juvenile Justice Center talking about some of the things she does to encourage families. Family Reunification is the term used when parents are able to successfully complete their court-ordered case plans allowing them to reunite with their children. To learn more about family reunification please visit:
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S:3 E6 Families Together Again Ft. Social Worker, Adriana Tello
Heartbeat of Human Services
Family Reunification is an incredibly significant and emotional milestone for parents who have been through tough situations. It marks the successful reunification of families, often after periods of separation or hardship. Today, we are honored to welcome Adriana Tello, a dedicated social worker at KCDHS, who will share how she supports families during challenging times and how social work helps guide families by empowering them to overcome obstacles and rebuild their lives. To learn more about family reunification please visit: Interested in becoming a social worker? Visit to learn more.
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S:3 E5 Supporting Foster Parents Care Ft. Foster Parent, Rosalind Duffey-Wallace and Probation Officer, Patricia Cantu
Heartbeat of Human Services
As we conclude Foster Care Awareness Month, we are honored to have Rosalind Duffey-Wallace, a foster parent who has been nominated for recognition by Deputy Probation Officer Patricia Cantu for her compassion and unconditional love for foster children with complex behaviors. During the discussion, they highlighted the TFCO (Treatment Foster Care Oregon) program, which provides therapeutic support to foster children and is available for current and future foster parents. If you are interested in learning more about the TFCO (Treatment Foster Care Oregon) program, you can visit www.kcdhs.org...
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S:3 E4 Giving Dignity to Children in Foster Care Ft. Eric Simpson
Heartbeat of Human Services
May is Foster Care Awareness Month in Kern County. Listen in as Jana interviews Eric Simpson, former foster parent, and Director of Hopester, Inc., a local non-profit whose purpose is to come along side other helping agencies. Eric talks about the significance of elevating the dignity of children in foster care and empowering foster youth together as a community for a better future. If you want to positively impact the lives of foster children, please visit kcdhs.org/RFA or donate to kern.org/kcnc/dream-center/ Visit hopesterinc.org There are several ways to...
info_outlineIn today's podcast join Allison McClain from Bakersfield Angels, as we discuss the importance of building life-long positive and stable relationships with foster youth.
If you want to support or become a mentor, please visit: https://www.bakersfieldangels.org/