Board Actions: Nov. 19, 2024 – Welcome to San Bernardino County

Supervisors fund Ontario-Montclair School District book vending initiative

The Board of Supervisors approved Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman’s Priority Programs Project request to support the installation of seven book vending machines in Ontario-Montclair School District elementary schools with $58,000 in discretionary funding.

These vending machines will be used as incentives to reward students for positive behavior and academic accomplishments, offering books as a reward to foster a lifelong love of reading and emphasize the importance of literacy. This initiative aligns closely with the school district’s goals of promoting positive behavior interventions and support, while also encouraging a strong educational foundation and achieving the Countywide Vision by supporting the success of residents from Cradle to Career.

Ayala Park Splash Pad Project update
The San Bernardino County Department of Public Works – Special Districts has awarded a contract to Far West Contractors to construct the Ayala Park Splash Pad in Bloomington. This project is funded by approximately $1.2 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and $254,000 from discretionary funding from Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. Once completed, the 40-foot diameter splash pad will be a fun, low-impact recreational feature for families to enjoy within the Bloomington community, which aligns with the Countywide Vision by connecting and beautifying communities through shared open spaces.

Big Bear Alpine Zoo shade structures project update
The Board of Supervisors awarded an approximately $1 million construction contract to Jergensen Construction to build weather-resistant shade structures at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo. The shade structures will be able to withstand the weather patterns that are typical for the Big Bear Lake area and provide zoo animals with protection from the elements.

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and Cedars-Sinai clinical training partnership
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) is entering into a non-financial agreement with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center so ARMC residents and fellow physicians can obtain specialized clinical training at Cedars-Sinai. This partnership enhances ARMC’s ability to deliver specialized care to county residents, which aligns with the Countywide Vision by fostering collaboration between healthcare providers and expanding the capacity to provide quality healthcare services to all residents.

Department of Behavioral Health internship programs
The San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health is entering into two non-financial affiliation agreements with Chamberlain University and La Sierra University to provide student internships. The agreements are effective from Nov. 19, 2024, through June 30, 2029.

Students in the internship programs will gain practical field experience and guidance from Behavioral Health professionals in a variety of disciplines, including medicine, nursing, psychology, marriage and family therapy and social work, which supports the broader Countywide Vision by strengthening the pipeline of well-trained behavioral health professionals and enhancing collaboration among educational institutions and healthcare providers.

Extension of the Early Literacy Transmedia Project
The Board of Supervisors approved a two-year extension of the Early Literacy Transmedia Project through Jan. 31, 2027, and increased the total project funding from approximately $1.7 million to $2.8 million.

In partnership with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, this innovative project leverages transmedia learning — storytelling through traditional and digital platforms — which has enhanced kindergarten readiness, third grade reading success and 21st-century skill development.

The project “raises the bar” for literacy in San Bernardino County in support of the county’s Vision2Read initiative.

Grant awards for maternal, child and family healthcare programs
The Department of Public Health has accepted over $7 million in grant funding from the California Department of Public Health to support maternal, child and family health initiatives for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. The grants include:

Approximately $980,000 for the Perinatal Equity Initiative to reduce infant mortality among Black infants through evidence-based practices, focusing on supporting pregnant and parenting women and their partners through the first year of a child’s life.
Approximately $2.3 million for the California Home Visiting Program, which provides at-risk pregnant and newly parenting families with services such as routine assessment of parent-child interactions, child development and maternal depression; referrals to parent support groups and father involvement programs; behavioral health resources; early childhood education and family-based intervention support.

Approximately $622,000 for the Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health program to address the comprehensive health needs of women, infants and children and improve their access to healthcare.

Approximately $3.2 million for the Black Infant Health program, which focuses on improving pregnancy outcomes and reducing health disparities for Black mothers through group interventions and individualized case management.

By accepting these grants to fund healthcare programs that promote inclusivity and equity in health services, DPH is continuing to advance the Countywide Vision by combatting racism as a public health crisis.

Morongo Valley water tank replacement project update

The Board of Supervisors approved a $640,000 contract with Superior Tank Co. to replace the aging Morongo Valley water tank, the only source of potable drinking water for Morongo Valley residents. The tank has experienced significant leaks and interior corrosion since 2019.

The new bolted steel water storage tank will ensure safe and reliable water service and reduce future maintenance costs. Construction is anticipated to commence in December 2024 and conclude by November 2025.

This project aligns with the Countywide Vision by investing in infrastructure that safeguards one of our greatest natural resources – water – to meet the population and economic growth needs within the county.

Additional County Update News – November 21, 2024