OUR STORY
It Started With Families Helping Families.
H.E.A.R.T.S. Connection began in September 1990 with a simple but powerful idea: Families Supporting Families.
The organization grew from a Family Support Grant that LICA applied for through the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
At the time, H.E.A.R.T.S. served families of children under the age of three who were Regional Center clients. Parents were invited to a retreat in Tehachapi, where they found something they had been looking for—other parents who understood what they were experiencing.
What began with one retreat quickly became lasting connection. Afterward, families began gathering each month in one another’s homes to share experiences, resources, encouragement, and support. From the very beginning, H.E.A.R.T.S. Connection was built by parents, for families.
Growing From a Need Into a Resource
In those early years, everything was volunteer-driven. With support from Kern Regional Center, Bakersfield City School District, the Kern County Superintendent of Schools, and the Kern County Consortium SELPA, H.E.A.R.T.S. opened its first small office with just one paid staff member.
As more families found H.E.A.R.T.S., the organization grew. Part-time parent staff were added, office space expanded, and continued funding from DDS helped make it possible to reach more families and provide more support.
Then, in 2002, H.E.A.R.T.S. Connection was awarded the Family Empowerment Center grant through the California Department of Education. This marked an important new chapter, expanding services to families of children and young adults ages 3–22 with special needs.
Here for Families Today
Today, H.E.A.R.T.S. Connection continues the work that began more than three decades ago:
Coming alongside families so they don't have to navigate the journey alone.
Our team serves families throughout Kern County, with staff in Bakersfield, Delano, and Tehachapi, as well as Inyo and Mono Counties, with locations in Bishop and Mammoth. Three members of our team are bilingual in English and Spanish, allowing us to connect with and better support more families in our communities.
Families are referred to H.E.A.R.T.S. by local agencies, but you don't need a referral to reach out. Parents and caregivers are always welcome to contact us directly with questions, concerns, or simply a need for someone to help them find their way.
Our services and resources are available to English- and Spanish-speaking families throughout Kern County. Through continued grant funding from the California Department of Education, we remain committed to the work that started it all: Empowering families through understanding, advocacy, resources, and connection.
More than 35 years later, the heart of H.E.A.R.T.S. remains the same.
Families helping families.
Parents supporting parents.
No one navigating the journey alone.