BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) \u2014 \u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity that I can just present so we can help more people, so we can better treat more people that are dealing with addictions, that are dealing with mental health and really get down to the root of the matter, because a lot of there\u2019s a lot of good stuff happening in our community,\u201d Executive Director for The Mission at Kern County, Carlos Baldovinos said.<\/p>\n
Baldovinos has been a champion for individuals facing homelessness and addiction in the Golden Empire. His work has now drawn the attention of the federal government.<\/p>\n
Watch 17 News, After Sunrise and more local news free on your smart TV. Click to learn more about KGET+ <\/a><\/p>\n Last week, Baldovinos was invited to a joint meeting with the White House, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Health and Human Services.<\/p>\n \u201cThey put out the executive orders, but there was really no substance, thorough substance behind these executive orders. \u2026 How do we implement that nationally?\u201d Baldovinos said.<\/p>\n The Trump administration invited 15 individuals from across the country to help create a \u201cbest practice toolkit\u201d to implement two Executive Orders.<\/p>\n Both the Great American Recovery Initiative and the Ending Crime and Disorder on America\u2019s Streets order focus on cleaning up the streets of American cities and helping address the ongoing drug and homelessness crisis.<\/p>\n The tool kit would provide resources and programs that the federal government can use to help tackle the growing homelessness crisis.<\/p>\n Baldovinos said many at the meeting were impressed with Kern County\u2019s Higher Up program.<\/p>\n