Our Board of Directors The KCAPC Board of Directors meets monthly
Donna Severs, President CEO Bakersfield City Employees Credit Union
Third Term 2009
Lourdes Nilon, Vice President MPA
First Term 2008
Linda Erb, PHN, Secretary-Treasurer Kern County Health Department
Second Term 2008
Dr. Jess Diamond, Pediatrician Emeritus Kern Medical Center
Fifth Term 2007
Larry Shelly, Exchange Club
First Term 2008
Brian Parnell, Program Director Emergency Response Department of Human Services
First Term 2008
Sam Jenkins, LCSW Family Court Mediator/Evaluator
Second Term 2008
Karen Cooley, Executive Director Kern Child Abuse Prevention Council
Karen Cooley Executive Director
“As Executive Director I often say my main jobs are to keep the doors open and to hold the global vision of how we operate at the Kern Child Abuse Prevention Council/Haven Counseling Center. We look for and find staff who hold hope for the children, parents and families who come to us for services. By recognizing and building on the strengths they bring with them, we assist them in successfully overcoming their many challenges and achieving their primary goal, creating a safe and stable home. I've been a Social Worker for 35 years...almost half of that time has been spent at Haven. I wouldn't trade it for anything.”
- Karen Cooley
Chris Russell Clinical Director
“I am privileged to be employed at Haven Counseling as the Clinical director. I have worked here an amazing 17 years. I work with the trainees and interns that come from 8 universities as they train, they can teach class, facilitate group therapy and/or family therapy. Haven is a place where miracles take place as our clients transform with new attitudes and skills.”
– Christine Russell
Carolyn Hill Program Director Time Flies
“Hey everyone my name is Carolyn Hill and I am the Program Director here at Haven. I’ve worked here since 1991 and love it. We are in the business of healing families from child abuse and neglect. We could't do it without the passionate and caring people here in Bakersfield.I supervise the Case Management Programs and staff. I love teaching Parenting, mentoring Social Workers. I work with some of the best people on the planet. I am blessed to serve the families of Kern County.
–Carolyn Hill
Barbara Mattick Program Manager Guided Visitation
"Hi, I’m Barb . . . mother, grandmother, musician, artist, runner, hiker, naturalist, and more. I’ve been overseeing programs, teaching classes and doing parenting coaching at Haven since October 2000. I feel as though all of my 38 years of teaching children, training teachers, and/or mentoring parents has led me to this place. What I do here is so much more than a job. It is a calling. The joy that comes from being a part of this wonderful team lifts me up. Together we help parents learn new skills, and more than that, to believe in themselves. I can’t imagine doing anything else!"
-Barbara Mattick
Rob Rephan Program Manager Kinship
"Hi I’m Rob and I’ve been with the Kinship Support Services Program at Haven since it started in the Spring of 2008. It has been a great experience starting a new program. We enjoy working with all of our caregivers and continue to grow as more people find out about our program of support for people raising the children of family and friends."
-Rob Rephan
Perla Davis Therapist Spanish
Hello, I enjoy teaching spanish parenting classes and groups. I enjoy helping families learn new ideas and grow stronger.
-Perla Davis
Jennifer Hunt Doctoral Candidate and Therapist American Sign Language
I love working with Haven Family and I could never leave this place. I was born deaf and communicate well with everybody at Haven. I am pursuing with a PhD in Forensic Psychology. I am a therapist for Deaf clients and I provide them a with variety of services (domestic violence, parenting, child neglect, family and couples counseling). I have been working here forever since 1997. Haven Counseling staff treats everybody with respect. I am very proud to work at Haven since we all successfully have high volume of clients that got their children back. Case Managers and Haven Staff work very hard together in providing the best service for our clients. Haven is an awesome place to seek for help. Once you walk here for services, you will feel accepted and welcomed with our Haven family staff.
Stephanie Wright MFT Intern Kinship Program
“I am an MFT-I at Haven. My first impression of Haven was “This is where I want to work” It’s the perfect environment, and a place full of passion for people.”
– Stephanie Wright
Angelica Gonzalez MFT Trainee
“I am an MFT in training at Haven. I am in awe of how the Haven Staff is so dedicated to doing their job in helping the clients I hope to learn much more.”
-Angelica Gonzales
Selena Underhill MFT Trainee
"I recently joined the Haven team as an MFT trainee from CSUB and I am thrilled to be here. The staff is incredibly supportive and works effectively to provide our clients with the best service possible. I feel honored to be part of this wonderful team and look forward to serving our community in the future."
-Selena Underhill
Hilda Castellanos Parent Instructor Spanish
"I’ve worked with this wonderful team since 2005. I teach the Family Matters Class once a week. Together we help parents work toward positive changes, and help them recognize and accept their own internal worth. It’s a joy to be a part of this great organization."
-Hilda Castellanos
Charlene Thomas Case Manager
“I have worked for Haven as a case manager for 13 years. Serving my clients is one of the joys of my life. I have been empowered by Haven to further my education and I am now a Marriage and Family Therapist Trainee. I look forward to now better serving my clients.”
– Charlene Thomas
Mary Beasley Case Manager
“I have worked for Haven for over 10 years. I’m a case manager & Educator at Haven. Working at Haven has been an awesome experience. Haven has been like a second family to me it’s a great feeling to help our clients in their time of need.”
-Mary Alice Beasley
JoAnn Coston Case Manager Time Flies Program
I am a Case Manager. I teach parenting and anger management classes. I am a parenting coach, helping parents become secure and effective in their parenting skills. I enjoy working with the staff at Haven. We are in the business of strengthening and reuniting families.
-JoAnn Coston
Bertha Jimenez Case Manager Time Flies Program
"Hello, My name is Bertha Jimenez, Case Manager @ Haven Counseling Center. My passion and gratification comes from helping families overcome their barriers through mentoring, support and guidance. Therefore, I have the opportunity to become a piece of the reunification process between child and parent. My work experience and training has been in the field of Social Service for the past 14yrs. I am certified as a Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Counselor, and as a registered Substance Abuse Specialist. My favorite pastime is taking a trip to the beach shore to collect seashells. I enjoy camping and spending time with family. My favorite food is Chinese and Mexican chicken or pork posole. It is a joy and privilege to be a part of the Haven family!"
- Bertha Jimenez
Lorainne Ramirez Case Manager Kinship
Amy Urena Family Advocate Safe Schools/Healthy Students Web site manager
“I am a Family Advocate for KCAPC assigned to work at Juvenile Probation Department. I help my clients find programs/things that they need for their families. Haven saw something in me that I didn’t fully know that I had before I came. The ability to see hope and the potential for goodness and change in everyone. This concept is not new but very much emphasized at Haven.“
- Amy Urena
Miriam Velarde Receptionist Parent Partner
I am the Front Office Receptionist and Parent Leader. I have enjoyed helping parents learn new skills and become healthier parents. It’s a great place to work.
– Miriam “Mim” Velarde
Carmen Robeldo Receptionist
“I was employed by Kern Child Abuse Prevention Council in 2001. It feels like it was just yesterday. I love where I work and the clients that we serve. To see our clients been transformed is just fabulous. Because many are reunified back with their children.”
– Carmen Robledo
Sandra Sanchez-Lopez Receptionist
I have worked at Haven for more than ten years. I first started out as a Family Advocate. I am now the Front Office Receptionist and assist with our Accounting Department. I have been privilege to see many parents reunited with their children. Sandra Sanchez-Lopez
Stephanie Grijalva Receptionist
“I am a receptionist here at Haven. I work for Kinship Support Services Program and I absolutely love it. We work with a lot of great families here and I love helping them. I’m happy to work here. I ‘m happy to help others and I’m thankful for this learning experience.”
– Stephanie Grijalva
Yolanda Rucker Data Entry Clerk
I’m the Data Entry Clerk. I started in Sept 2008 and so far so good I love my job. Haven Counseling Center is a great place to work and the people are GREAT!!
-Yolanda Rucker
Kathi Loughman Administrative Assistant
As Administrative Assistant, I work behind the scenes, providing support to our Executive Director, Directors and Managers, helping to provide a safe and stable atmosphere in which they can work their magic with our clients and our clients’ families. It’s my job to take care of the big and little details involved in keeping any office running smoothly, and leaving the other members of our wonderful Haven Family free to spend their time working directly with our clients. I’ve been with Haven since 2001, and consider it not just a job, but an honor and a blessing to support and work with such giving and caring people.
Perla Davis
