BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — The Kern County District Attorney’s Office released a statement following the decision not to renew a contract with the Open Door Network for the DA’s Family Justice Centers.
The Open Door Network provides a family homeless shelter and offers support to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
The Kern County DA’s office said in part:
Prosecutors are held to high ethical standards which require prosecutors to ensure those accused of crimes receive a fair trial and that improper pretrial publicity is controlled and prevented. When persons associated with the prosecution engage in improper pretrial publicity, it risks harming victims by compromising the case and prejudicing a pending trial, and the law requires prosecutors to take action to prevent it.Partners with the Family Justice Center are expected to follow ethical rules and take direction to ensure compliance with these rules. The District Attorney’s Office will not allow unethical conduct by nonprofit partners who value publicity over ethical prosecution to jeopardize the most serious cases we prosecute.
In the statement, officials provided a letter sent to Lauren Skidmore, CEO of the Open Door Network, about making public comments on pending criminal cases, including one on Eyewitness News. The letter was sent on September 16, 2025.
Lauren Skidmore, CEO of the Open Door Network. KBAK/KBFX
The DA’s office said on September 18, 2025, there were efforts to arrange a meeting with Skidmore to ensure incidents would not happen again. A meeting was scheduled for September 24. According to the statement by the DA’s office, it said, “Ms. Skidmore, despite personally agreeing to the meeting, failed to appear for the meeting, and did not call in advance to cancel or reschedule it. The lack of professionalism and refusal to take direction on appropriate ethical conduct exhibited by Ms. Skidmore, combined with the existence of more comprehensive alternatives that will better serve victims factored into the decision to seek new partnerships for the Family Justice Center.”
The DA’s office provided the non-renewal letter sent to the Open Door Network by Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer. The letter was dated November 26, 2025. The letter indicated an effective date of April 1, 2026.
A statement by Skidmore was posted on the Open Door Network social media pages. The statement posted on March 12, 2026, said:
I care. Our work matters. The people we serve deserve a voice. I spend hours everyday away from my family, sacrificing my health, missing on quality time with friends; because I know my/our work matters. I am very aware that my voice and opinion is risky. Yet, I am clear on the mission of our organization and my purpose. Our staff work tirelessly to support people in darkness. They make these sacrifices as well. Yet, we know this is bigger than us. I know if this is hard for us/me-imagine being a victim, a homeless family, a child who has been abused. What is true, is right.
PHOTO:{ }Open Door Network
The Kern County District Attorney’s Office said it will have new partnerships to ensure that victims seeking services with the Family Justice Center will continue to receive the essential services that the Family Justice Center provides to the thousands of families it serves. The partnerships would be announced in the upcoming weeks.