In 1981, the A. Miriam Jamison Children's Center was established in response to the growing number of reported child abuse cases in Kern County.

The Jamison Children's Center is a 24-hour Temporary Shelter Care Facility, operated by the Human Services Department of Kern County. As the only emergency shelter in Kern County for abused, neglected and exploited children, Jamison Children's Center temporarily houses children who are taken into protective custody by law enforcement agencies or social workers. Children come to Jamison Children's Center from all backgrounds and walks of life.

A. Miriam Jamison Children's Center (license #157806098)
1010 Shalimar Drive
Bakersfield, CA 93306
Telephone: (661) 334-3500
Fax: (661) 366-6591

Every month, more than 100 children are cared for at Jamison Children's Center. The children are provided the basic living essentials: food, clothing, shelter, education and health care. The center also provides a dedicated, hardworking staff of teachers, mental health counselors, group counselors, medical professionals and other staff to replace the children's fear with hope, and a sense of security.

The majority of children taken in by the Jamison Children's Center are under age 12. The average length of stay at the center is three days. Some children remain for longer periods of time. Children from infancy to 5 years old stay at the center no longer than six hours, requiring Human Services to constantly promote recruitment efforts for foster care homes.

Every day foster care homes are needed for:

• Long-term Foster Care (all ages)
• Emergency Foster Care (newborn - 17 years)
• Sibling Groups
• Medically Fragile Children
• Substance-exposed Infants
• Teenage Mothers and their Infants

For more foster care information call (661) 631-6204.

Vision Statement

"To provide children who need emergency shelter and protection a safe, warm and nurturing environment."

Mission Statement

"Provide the abused, neglected, and abandoned children of Kern County a temporary, safe haven where their needs can be met."

• Assist the children with their personal care, education and recreational needs
• Assure that each child receives medical, dental, or mental health care when necessary
• Identify each child's unique needs and locate appropriate resources to meet them
• Assist the child's social worker in developing the best placement option for each child, whether it be reunification with the family or an alternative placement
• Provide child welfare staff appropriate information that is descriptive of the child's current physical, emotional and health status
• Promote the child's growth and well-being by providing programs that promote self-esteem, self-reliance and a sense of accomplishment

Partnerships & Collaborations

Partners collaborate to provide seamless services to meet the needs of children. Human Services partners with various agencies and community-based organizations to coordinate an immediate response in providing a protective environment for every child.

Kern County Superintendent of Schools

• Two Full-time Teachers
• One Substitute Teacher
• Two Instructional Aides

Kern County Mental Health Care

• Crisis Intervention
• Mental Health Evaluations
• Mental Health Counseling
• Follow-up Services with foster parents and/or parents to ensure the continuation of a child's care

Kern Medical

• The Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) Program provides physical and dental exams.

Jess Diamond Child Assessment Center

An on-site multi-disciplinary center, designed to decrease the trauma experienced by a victimized child.

• Human Services - Child Protective Services
• County Counsel of Kern
• Forensic Interviewers
• District Attorney's Office
• Kern County Sheriff's Office
• Bakersfield Police Department
• Kern Medical
• Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
• Victim Witness/Kern County District Attorney

Volunteers & Community Support

Although Jamison Children's Center is funded through a county tax supported budget, government revenue is decreasing at a time when reported cases of child abuse continue to rise. Generous contributions of items by the people of Kern County assure the needs of children at Jamison Children's Center are met.

Volunteer Support
Opportunities to make a difference in a child's life exist for business and civic groups willing to donate their time and effort to take on a special project to benefit the Jamison Children's Center.

Community Support
The Jamison Children's Center receives support from the community throughout the year. Donations of "gently used" children's clothing and shoes are always welcome. We also accept new undergarments, toys, and games.

For more information call (661) 334-3500.