Board Actions – Nov. 5 – Welcome to San Bernardino County

Board funds District Priorities Program initiatives

The Board of Supervisors approved district-specific projects:

Contributing $100,000 in funding towards the purchase of vans for the Abundant Living Family Church – High Desert’s New Hope Reentry Program with discretionary funding from Vice Chairman and First District Supervisor Col. Paul Cook (Ret.).
Providing $100,000 in funding towards scholarships from the Cardenas Market Foundation for students pursuing higher education in San Bernardino County with discretionary funding from Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman.

Early education and literacy program funding

The Board of Supervisors approved over $7.9 million in state funding from the California Department of Education to support early education programs for preschoolers and their families. This funding will bolster the California Prekindergarten and Family Literacy Program and the California State Preschool Program, allowing the county Preschool Services Department (PSD) to deliver literacy support, health and nutrition education and developmentally appropriate curriculum for children ages three-to-five in high-need areas across the county through June 2025.

The programs will serve approximately 840 children and will include support for parents, such as referrals to health and social services and resources on child development, which aligns with the Countywide Vision by supporting the success of residents from Cradle to Career.

Disaster grant award from Petco Love

Petco Love provided a $25,000 disaster grant to San Bernardino County Animal Care following the Bridge and Line Fires. During the emergency response, the county operated evacuation centers for displaced residents and 853 pets and livestock for several weeks across multiple locations, including the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds and Devore Animal Shelter.

To care for the displaced animals at the shelters, Animal Care purchased pet food and equipment such as crates, temporary kennels and air-cooling devices and administered veterinary services to sick and injured animals. The funding will reimburse the agency for costs associated with pet disaster relief.

Lucerne Valley Community Center renovation update

The Board of Supervisors awarded an approximately $590,000 construction contract to Preferred General Services to refurbish and modernize the Lucerne Valley Community Center.

This project, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), includes comprehensive upgrades to the kitchen and restroom facilities, which will transform the center into a safer and more accessible space for community programming, celebrations and events.

Modernization of supportive services for older adults and adults with disabilities

The San Bernardino County Department of Aging and Adult Services – Public Guardian is utilizing $2.48 million in state funding to enhance supportive services for older adults, adults with disabilities and their caregivers.

This funding supports contracts with organizations such as Foothill AIDS Project, Inland Caregiver Resource Center, Reach Out Morongo Basin and Victor Valley Community Services Council, which provide vital programs that address functional limitations and promote independence, health and social engagement, so eligible residents can maintain a high quality of life in a community setting.

The initiative aligns with the Countywide Vision by employing a multi-faceted approach and utilizing collaborative partnerships with community-based organizations to provide whole-person care.

Grant award approvals for Head Start programs

The Board of Supervisors has approved the acceptance of a second $33 million grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, bringing the total funding to $66 million to support the Head Start, Early Head Start, and Early Head Start – Child Care Partnership programs through June 2025. The county’s Preschool Services Department operates the programs, which provide education, health, nutrition, cognitive, social/emotional, physical growth, and development and parent involvement services to approximately 2,000 children aged 0-5. The grant award includes:

Head Start Program: Approximately $26.6 million in funding to support the service to 1,400 eligible children.
Early Head Start Program: Approximately $6.4 million in funding to provide services to approximately 583 eligible children.

Healthcare training partnerships

The Board of Supervisors approved two affiliation agreements to support the education of future healthcare professionals. Nursing students from Queens University of Charlotte will participate in clinical rotations at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC), gaining valuable experience by working with a diverse range of patients. In addition, high school students in San Antonio Regional Hospital’s Clinical Shadowing Program will have the opportunity to shadow healthcare providers in a variety of specialties.

The partnerships support ARMC’s mission as a teaching hospital to provide real-world training that prepares students for healthcare careers, and it aligns with the Countywide Vision by sustaining the healthcare workforce by fostering local talent.

2024 Spark of Love Toy Drive

The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District (County Fire) confirmed its participation in the 32nd annual Spark of Love Toy Drive, a partnership between ABC7, Southern California firefighters and local community sponsors to collect and provide new, unwrapped toys and sports equipment to underserved children and teens in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Riverside and Orange counties. County Fire stations will serve as drop-off locations for community members to donate toys.

Phelan Road rehabilitation project update

The county Department of Public Works – Transportation has awarded a $7.47 million contract to Sully-Miller Contracting Company for the reconstruction of a portion of Phelan Road, an essential eight-mile stretch serving the Phelan area. The project is funded by $1.1 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and $6 million from Measure “I” funds. The work will include pavement reconstruction and rehabilitation, curb and gutter, installing new and reconstructing existing curb ramps under Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines at various locations, traffic signal modification, traffic striping, signage and pavement markers.

By upgrading Phelan Road, the county is advancing its Countywide Vision by providing adequate infrastructure for future growth and improving the accessibility of roads for pedestrians, including those with disabilities.

Additional County Update News – November 7, 2024