Staff Information
As you are aware, the County of Kern declared a State of Emergency regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on March 16, 2020. While we are operating in this State of Emergency and essential staffing model, we urge all staff to remain in contact with their supervisors, visit the COVID-19 webpage KernBHRS.org/COVID-19 and our social media platforms Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (@KernBHRS) for regular updates on our operations.
Here is a video message from Bill to our dedicated staff. Please click the link here.
Effective March 17, 2020, the following KernBHRS services locations will remain open:
-
Crisis Services - Mary K. Shell Health Center
-
Crisis Hotline - will remain fully staffed and operational at 1-800-991-5272
-
Adult Outpatient Services - Stockdale and KLD
-
Children Services - Commonwealth
-
Substance Use Disorder Services - L Street and the SUD Access Line 1-866-266-4898
-
Administrative services, including ITS, will remain operational
Updates from our ITS team: We have a high volume of laptop and VPN requests. We are currently out of stock of laptops and are working with Dell to get more but there is a delay of shipment. If you put your request in before 11 a.m. on March 17 you are set to receive one. Please be patient as we get through all these request.
For Administrators and Supervisors, if you have staff that require a cell phone please email Robert Farmer, directly the name and a manner in which we can contact them when their phone is ready. If you have staff that requires equipment and/or VPN please email bhrshelpdesk@kernbhrs.org with the staff name and a manner in which we can contact them when the laptop is ready.
All Laptops and Cell Phones ordered will need to be picked up from IT when ready, so our technical staff can walk through usage of the devices.
Updates from our HR Team: The KernBHRS HR team is working remotely and are available for questions via email at BHRSHumanResources@kernBHRS.org
Updates from our Finance Team: Interoffice mail that is normally picked up and delivered will need to be scanned, encrypted if necessary and sent via email during COVID-19 quarantine protocols.
Updates from our Maintenance Team: During normal business hours urgent maintenance requests should be sent via email to BHRS Maintenance. For after-hours urgent requests, please call Jason on his cell phone at 661-342-9353.
Per CAO guidelines: All employees (permanent and extra help) will be in paid status during this time. Your department heads are determining which of their staff need to remain at their location providing services and which employees will be asked to be on call or work remotely. All Kern County employees are designated disaster service workers and will be expected to report in if called. You should remain readily available. If you have questions about your reporting instructions, reach out to your department management.
We will continue to provide regular updates to keep you informed of any additional measures or department updates here, via emails from the PIO team, on SharePoint or on the department's social media pages.
Click here for our General Safety Information
This page was updated as of 2:30 p.m. on March 18, 2020.