Community Action Partnership of Kern Head Start and Early Head Start Program sites are open for the children of essential workers at this time. A strict portfolio of safety features are in place to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission while children are learning with Head Start. Those include staggered arrival and pick up, daily non-contact health screenings for staff, parents and children, limited classroom size, physical distancing procedures, regular hand-washing and use of personal protective equipment. CAPK Head Start operates 33 Head Start Centers in Kern County and 8 Head Start Centers in San Joaquin County.

The CalWorks Home Visiting Program continues to operate at this time.

The Friendship House is currently providing learning pods for students age 6-12 where they can get Internet access, do their virtual schoolwork and receive tutoring from Friendship House staff. Individual pods are separated from each other and daily health screenings are required. Facial coverings are worn by staff and participants at all times. We also provide the Positive Youth Development Mentor Program- which offers area youth group & individual mentoring, afterschool & academic tutoring, case management & referrals, behavioral intervention groups, enrichment activities, pre-employment/vocational training, and family engagement activities. The Medi-Cal Health Navigator Project provides Medi-Cal outreach, education, enrollment and renewal assistance to the community.

Shafter Youth Center’s After School Program has converted to a full day support program called Learning Pods. The program is open from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. There are a maximum of 15 students in the program, children are separated into groups of 6 or fewer in one room and six-foot social distancing is being maintained to ensure the safety of the families we serve. Additional youths wanting to join the program must be added to the waiting list. The Center will serve Shafter families of essential workers as a priority.

The Community Action Partnership of Kern Food Bank remains open and is working hard to make sure food is available to families in need during this unprecedented time. Demand is high for Food Bank resources so financial donations are needed. Visit capk.org and click on the Donate Here button to help. Food will continue to be delivered to our partner food pantries and distribution sites in every corner of Kern County. Call 2-1-1 to find when and where you can pick up food. Volunteers are critical to the Food Bank’s ability to deliver more than 2.4 million of pounds of food to the public each month. If you can help in this extraordinary time of need please call 398-4520 and ask for or Albert Garza. You can also e-mail him at agarza@capk.org.

Our Migrant Childcare Alternative Payment program remains operational. Clients who use this program to find childcare across California are encouraged to call 1-800-259-8866 if they have any questions or concerns regarding the program. The Migrant Childcare program has childcare slots available and we are currently enrolling. Call 1-800-259-8866 for an application.

The East Kern Family Resource Center continues to operate.

Community Action Partnership of Kern’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program is in full operation. CAPK WIC is using telephones and other communication technologies to provide supplemental food assistance, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and referrals to families in Kern and San Bernardino Counties. All WIC appointments are over the phone. The new California WIC card allows staff to issue benefits remotely. Starting January 1, 2021, CAPK WIC will be providing virtual nutrition education classes through wichealth.org. The WIC call center operates Monday to Friday from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. Call (866) 327-3074 to connect to WIC services today.

Nutrition and Health education activities and classes serving CalFresh participants are available online. Call 661-439-3838 to connect with a CAPK Health Educator. Additional resources can be found on the CalFresh Healthy Living FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/CAPKCalFresh and Webpage: www.CAPK.org/programs/CalFreshHealthyLiving/

Utility Assistance and Weatherization services provided by CAPK Energy are available to eligible low-income residents. Applications for services should be mailed or dropped off at our CAPK Energy Offices at 300 19th Street, Bakersfield CA 93301. On-site client assistance will be limited to a case-by-case basis to protect the public. CAPK’s Energy and Weatherization Program is open for appointments Monday -Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Applicants need to make an appointment to be seen by a Technician. In accordance to California law, masks must be worn when visiting the office. To maintain social distance requirements, only the applicant may enter the office. Except for disabled applicants, who require assistance Applications can be mailed or dropped off at 300 19thStreet, Bakersfield, CA 93301. To make an appointment or to receive an application, please call 2-1-1.

The CAPK Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program is in operation and is preparing to assist with the 2021 Tax Season. Please review the information below to schedule your no-cost tax preparation and don’t forget to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit if you are eligible. 1) If you have not received any or all of your stimulus/economic payments, you will have the chance to claim it on your 2020 tax return – even if you do not have income to report. 2) At this time, no appointments are being scheduled. 3) The IRS has announced they will begin accepting and processing tax returns on February 12th. 4) CAPK VITA offices will open and begin holding appointments on February 1. 5)Appointment scheduling for the 2020 tax season will begin on Monday January 25. You will need to dial 2-1-1 and select the VITA option. 6) Only 2020 and 2017 tax year returns will be scheduled from January to April. 7) Other tax year preparation will be scheduled beginning in May. 8) If you need to apply for or renew your ITIN number, please call 2-1-1, choose the VITA option, and leave your name and number on the voicemail. Please speak clearly. You will receive a call back within 48 hours

CAPK’s 2-1-1 service is in full operation, linking the public with human services assistance from 1,500 agencies at all times of the day and night 365 days a year. Please call 2-1-1 or visit our website at www.211kerncounty.org and talk to our call center staff about your need today.

The Center is accepting client referrals through Flood Ministries for homeless individuals, both male and female, 18 years and older. During the COVID pandemic, the capacity for overnight residents at M Street is set below maximum capacity of 150 individuals for safety reasons. Social distancing in all areas on campus and overnight dorms is required. For more information, please call 661-498-7850.