From Left To Right: Guadalupe Perez, Accounting Technician; Isabel Morales, Fiscal Assistant; Wendy Sieruga, Banking and Settlement Compliance Manager; Parth Bhatt, Investment Officer; Damani Brown, Investment Analyst; Robin Dixon, Assistant Investment Officer; John Johnson, Assistant Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector and Chief Deputy Treasurer.
County Treasurer secures highest rating for school and public safety funds
The funds that support public education, public safety, and other government services throughout San Bernardino County are more secure than ever thanks to the efforts of the County Treasurer.
The Fitch credit rating service has assigned highest attainable rating to the San Bernardino County Investment Pool, for which the County Treasurer serves as custodian.
“We safeguard our tax dollars and invest wisely to earn the maximum possible return on those dollars that we provide for schools, public safety, and all the other local government services,” said San Bernardino County Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector Ensen Mason. “We are the financial foundation for the public services county residents depend on.”
The County Investment Pool supports San Bernardino County government departments providing a wide range of vital services in the areas of public safety, health care, social services, economic and community development and revitalization, fiscal services, infrastructure, recreation and culture. The fund also supports K-12 schools countywide, community colleges and special districts.
Fitch Ratings affirmed the Fund Credit Quality Ratings (FCQR) and Fund Market Risk Sensitivity Ratings on San Bernardino County Investment Pool at AAAf/S1. The ‘AAAf’ FCQR indicates the highest underlying credit quality, or lowest vulnerability to default. The ‘S1’ rating indicates a very low sensitivity to market risk. The ratings reflect Fitch’s review of the pool’s investment and credit guidelines, and the portfolio’s credit quality and diversification.
“The main driver of the fund credit quality rating is the fund’s high credit quality. As per the pool’s investment policy, the objectives include the safety of capital, maintenance of liquidity and optimization of investment returns,” Fitch reported.
“We’ve managed our Investment Pool to Fitch’s highest ratings guidelines both for credit quality and sensitivity to market risk,” said John Johnson, Assistant Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector. “Our investment mandates are Safety, Liquidity, and Yield. We continue to use our successful strategy.”
Election Day is coming! Early vote sites open next week
For the November 8, 2022, General Election, the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters (ROV) has already received 68,924 ballots through October 25. County voters have been taking advantage of voting by mail, using one of our more than 70 mail ballot drop-off locations throughout the county, or casting their ballot at the ROV office in San Bernardino.
Beginning next Tuesday, November 1, registered voters can also choose to cast their ballot at four other early vote sites.
“Casting your ballot early is the best way to avoid lines and crowds at polling places on Election Day,” said Interim Assistant Registrar of Voters Stephenie Shea. “No matter which way you vote, you can be confident your ballot will be processed.”
The San Bernardino County ROV office is located at 777 East Rialto Avenue, San Bernardino, and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as Saturday, November 5 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and on Election Day, November 8 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The following four additional Early Vote Sites are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Tuesday, November 1 to Saturday, November 5, and Monday, November 7:
Town of Apple Valley Recreation Center, 14955 Dale Evans Parkway, Apple Valley
Joshua Tree Community Center, 6171 Sunburst Street, Joshua Tree
Ontario Conference Center, 1947 E. Convention Center Way, Ontario
Victorville City Hall, 14343 Civic Drive, Victorville
Mail Ballot Drop-off Locations
The County’s more than 70 mail ballot drop-off locations are another safe option to vote early. Outdoor drop-boxes are constructed with secure, 18-gauge steel and are bolted to the concrete. Ballots from these drop-boxes are regularly collected by official election workers. Visit Mail Ballot Drop-Off Locations to find a convenient location.
If you haven’t received your ballot, or if you make a mistake and need a replacement ballot, you may visit the ROV or Early Vote site to pick up a replacement ballot. For more information on this and any question regarding the November 8, 2022, General Election, please visit the Registrar of Voters online at Mail Ballot Drop-Off Locations.
300 Youth visit Intech Center during workforce manufacturing event
On Friday, Oct. 14, over 300 high school students, parents, teachers, and community leaders participated in the annual event that demonstrates a hands-on and real-world experience.
Participants visited both the Chaffey College InTech Center located at California Steel Industries campus in Fontana, as well as several companies in the area that hire InTech students. The highly anticipated event is an opportunity for regional manufacturers to meet and inspire the next generation of welders, industrial electrical, mechanical, and mechatronics technicians and to change the narrative on perceptions about the industry and continue to build a skilled workforce pipeline for advanced manufacturing in the Inland Empire region.
The Inland Empire is home to nearly 3,300 manufacturing companies, employing more than 100,000 workers and Manufacturing Day helps showcase the reality and future of modern manufacturing careers. This year, we are back live and in-person.
During the month of October, manufacturing Month in California, San Bernardino County and the Workforce Development Board join the state and nation in celebrating the vital role manufacturers play in creating jobs and economic vitality in our Inland Empire region. The month is an opportunity for the industry to showcase what modern manufacturing is all about and inspire students and job seekers to pursue manufacturing careers.
WDB is committed to supporting this essential industry through programs and support services for job seekers and employers. For more on this and all that we have to offer, please visit our website.
Pediatric COVID-19 vaccines available for children aged 5 and older
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has authorized the use of Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccines in individuals as young as 5 years of age.
Everyone 5 years and older who had their primary series should get the updated booster at least 2 months following any COVID vaccine or booster dose.
The previous boosters were monovalent and targeted the original strain of COVID-19, while the updated boosters are bivalent and target both the original strain and Omicron strains of the virus.
For more information about COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, visit Primary Series and Boosters. Go to MyTurn.CA.gov or call (909) 387-3911 to make an appointment today!
Executive Director Karen Scott; Principal Researcher Ignacio Navarro, PhD; Deputy Director Systems and Impact Scott McGrath; Section Manager, Evaluation and Impact Wendy Lee, PsyD; Evaluation Staff Analysts II Peter Tawadros and Ray Salamat.
First 5 San Bernardino study: Parenting education prevents child abuse
In a first for First 5 San Bernardino (F5SB), a research study based on one of the organization’s initiatives was recently published highlighting the importance parenting education programs play in preventing child abuse and neglect.
Featured in the Journal of Public Child Welfare’s June 15, 2022 edition, the paper titled “Strengths-Based Case Management” provides evidence of the impact of implementing the Nurturing Parenting Program (NPP) combined with structured case management using a tool known as the Family Development Matrix (FDM); a product of Matrix Outcome Model Inc.
The Family and Community Support and Partnership, a child abuse prevention strategy launched by F5SB in 2015, uses a model with two components: parenting education and structured case management. This model provides a minimum of 16 parenting education sessions in groups or individual settings paired with structured case management.
“Working with the family, providers use the FDM to rank the status level on each of the 19 indicators, including basic household necessities, community resource knowledge, adult education and employment, among others,” said Scott McGrath, deputy director, systems and impact. “We are very pleased with the study findings validating how parent education and support contribute to the protection of children at risk of experiencing maltreatment.”
To receive a referral to parenting support near you, call First 5 San Bernardino at (909) 386-7706 or via email at First5SanBernardino@cfc.sbcounty.gov.
The following service providers deserve accolades for their participation in the study and for the crucial work they do to improve the lives of children and families: Bear Valley Mom and Dad Project, Chino Valley Unified School District, El Sol Neighborhood Education Center, Moses House Ministries, Reach Out, and Walden Family Services
Calling all stargazers! Cosmic Nights returns to museums
Whether you have yet to experience the grandeur of Jupiter, Saturn or the waxing gibbous moon, or you are a dedicated amateur astronomer, Cosmic Nights offers unparalleled views of the celestial wonders. Come join us for this family-friendly event on the last weekend of October or the first two weekends in November. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child ages 6 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are free.
Museum galleries will be open and regular admission applies. San Bernardino County Museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, Redlands. Victor Valley Museum is located at 11873 Apple Valley Road, Apple Valley. Parking is free. The museums are accessible to persons with disabilities. For more information, visit San Bernardino County Museum.
County’s Behavioral Health Commission invites community to serve
If you are passionate about behavioral health services in our community, we invite you to apply to serve on the San Bernardino County Behavioral Health Commission.
The Commission works to champion a system of seamless, accessible, and effective services that advances prevention, intervention, recovery and resiliency for individuals, families and communities. This system includes the County Behavioral Health Department, contract agencies, private providers, community and faith-based organizations, consumer support and education groups, and other health organizations in an integrated matrix.
Just in time for some Spooktacular, safe Halloween free or low-cost events for the entire family. Visit Ayala Park, the Alpine Zoo, Calico Ghost Town or our Child Support Services Trunk-or-Treat Resource Fair.
Calico Ghost Haunt
Weekend I: Oct. 21-23 | Weekend II: Oct. 28-30
Every year, Calico Ghost Town brings out the scare, fun and excitement of Halloween. This annual event includes, trick-or-treating, costume contests, pumpkin carving, kids’ carnival tent, live entertainment stage shows, haunted attractions and more.
Come join us for this family and pet-friendly event the last two weekends of October and you may experience some Pumpkin Mayhem madness.
Calico Ghost Town is located at 36600 Ghost Town Road in Yermo. Admission prices are $15 for Adults, $10 for youth (ages 4-11) and 3 years and younger are free. For event schedule and/or more event information, visit Calico Ghost Haunt.
What better way to get into the Halloween spirit than by watching an outdoor movie under the stars in the mountains by a lake, spooky right?
Dress in your pajamas or comfortable clothes and join us at Lake Gregory in Crestline for the Hotel Transylvania presentation starting at 7 p.m.
The film will be shown outside in the Meadow at San Moritz Lodge, so please dress appropriately as night temperatures tend to be a bit chilly.
This event is free and will be hosted by the Lake Gregory Company, a Regional Parks grantee. Bring your friends and family, along with a blanket and/or snacks. Popcorn and soft drinks will be available for purchase.
The Meadow is located at San Moritz Lodge, 24640 San Moritz Dr., Crestline, CA 92325
Before joining us for the movie in the park, Hotel Transylvania, Crestline merchants are inviting families to trick or treat through the main shopping districts from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Many stores will be participating and this is a safe and family friendly way to stock up on some goodies to eat before the movie starts at 7pm.
This event is free and open to all. For city parking, there is parking around the city that is free, but very limited. Parking lots are available but require a fee.
Big Bear Alpine Zoo – Boo at the Zoo Event
Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Big Bear Alpine Zoo Boo Halloween event at the Zoo returns on Saturday, October 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and offers a safe and fun way to trick-or-treat in a costume.
Spend the day with our animals and find the perfect background to take a selfie or family photo in their costume. There will be plenty of candy on hand, so bring your Halloween bags and your best costume. Please do not bring costumes that make noise and could scare the animals.
The Boo at the Zoo event is included in the price of admission to the zoo.
General Admission Prices • Adult (Ages 13-59): $15 • Older Adult (over 60 years old): $10 • Youth (Ages 3-12): $10 • Children under 2 years: Free • Military Discount: Current or Retired Military (with ID) $10. This discount is for military personnel only. • Group Discounts: For groups of 10 or more, a discount of $1 per person will apply. Groups of 10 must ALL be together to receive the discount, available only at the ticket counter.
For more information about the zoo, visit Big Bear Zoo.
Trick or Treat! Ayala Park Hosts Spooktacular Halloween Event
Saturday, Oct. 29, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Join Bloomington Recreation and Parks for a safe, family-friendly event at Ayala Park on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with music, games food vendors and a spooky haunted house* — enter if you dare to be scared.
San Bernardino County Special Districts will be partnering with County Fire, Sheriffs and Colton Unified Joint School District to meet and greet the public and pass out candy.
There will be a spooky DJ and dance performance and plenty of trunk-or-treating opportunities for the little ghosts and goblins to fill their bags as they walk pass volunteer vehicle trunks filled with treats.
This event is free and open to Bloomington and neighboring communities in the Inland Empire.
*Admission to the haunted house is a separate activity and is $5 for children and $8 for adults. The haunted house is open 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Ayala Park is located at 17909 Marygold Ave., Bloomington.
Child Support to Host Trunk or Treat Resource Fair
Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
San Bernardino County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) will be hosting a Trunk or Treat Resource Fair for parents and children on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Loma Linda and Victorville office locations. This is a fun and interactive event to engage and inform parents of the wide variety of resources DCSS offers in supporting their children.
In addition, several community partners will be providing information and access to job skills, health, childcare, nutrition, and more services.
Fair events include children’s activities, candy and costumes.
The Victorville and Loma Linda locations are:
• Victorville Office: 15400 Civic Dr., Victorville • Loma Linda Office: 10417 Mountain View Ave., Loma Linda
Sasha (ID#A768861) and Lucy (ID#A768862) are 6-year-old female German Shepherds ready for their loving homes. Both have been in the shelter since August.
You can adopt Sasha or Lucy as a part of Subaru Loves Pets adoption campaign.
During the month of October, Subaru and its dealers will be partnering with hundreds of local animal shelters and donating $100 for every pet adopted throughout the month, up to $3,100 in total. For more information about animals in need of loving homes in San Bernardino County’s Big Bear and Devore shelters, please visit San Bernardino County Animal Care to see photographs of the animals awaiting adoption or call (800) 472-5609. To donate to assist animals at the shelter, visit Animals aRe First Fund (ARFF).
Jobs of the Week and Other Hiring Events
San Bernardino County has jobs that will open on Saturday, Oct. 29.
We encourage you to apply and share these job openings with those who may be interested in them. Recruitments listed are subject to final department approval. Check Job Opportunities for the most up-to-date recruitments.
For all monkeypox-related information, including case statistics, FAQs, guidelines, and resources, visit the County’s monkeypox webpage at wp.sbcounty.gov/dph/monkeypox. Individuals who are interested in the vaccine may complete the Monkeypox Vaccine Interest Form.
For all COVID-19 related information, including case statistics, FAQs, guidelines, and resources, visit the County’s COVID-19 webpage. Residents of San Bernardino County may also call the COVID-19 helpline at (909) 387-3911 for general information and resources about the virus. The phone line is NOT for medical calls and is available Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you have questions about social services, please call 211.
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Animal Care, Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector, Behavioral Health, Big Bear Alpine Zoo, Child Support Services, County Museum, First 5 San Bernardino, Human Resources, Regional Parks, Uncategorized, Workforce Development Board
