Board Actions, Dec. 17 – Welcome to San Bernardino County

A graphic banner with First District Supervisor Col. Paul Cook (Ret), Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez, Third District Supervisor Dawn Rowe, Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman and Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.

Community projects advance with board discretionary funds
The Board of Supervisors approved funding allocations for multiple district-specific projects, including:

Approximately $494,000 from Vice Chairman and First District Supervisor Col. Paul Cook’s (Ret.) District Specific Priorities Program to The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District to fund the lease of a potential new temporary fire station that will serve the Silverwood Residential Community development in Hesperia and the surrounding existing residences.
$350,000 from Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program for the Cedar House Life Change Center expansion, which includes constructing a 17,000-square-foot, two-story building; increasing in-house treatment capacity from 125 to 195 beds; doubling outpatient service capacity from 60 to 120 individuals per week; and adding a new intensive outpatient treatment program.
$750,000 from Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program for the City of Rancho Cucamonga’s Heritage Park Bridge replacement project, which will replace all three bridges over Demens Creek Channel with a newly constructed single bridge.
$1 million from Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman’s District Specific Priorities Program for the Chino Police Department to purchase a public safety asset to improve local law enforcement’s response capabilities.
$1.2 million from Hagman’s District Specific Priorities Program to the City of Montclair to replace the Montclair Fire Department’s 20-year-old front-line ladder truck with a new custom tractor-drawn aerial – a fire truck with a separate, steerable rear trailer that carries an extendable ladder – to enhance the department’s firefighting operations.

Expanded funding for homelessness programs
The board approved approximately $1 million in accrued interest from Round 1 and Round 2 of the California Emergency Solutions and Housing and Rounds 1 through 3 Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention programs to expand critical services for individuals experiencing homelessness, including:

Approximately $779,000 towards the Housing Stability and Landlord Partnership Program, which encourages landlords to rent to individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness by offering various financial incentives and support services.
$50,000 towards the Transportation Initiative, which connects individuals experiencing homelessness with essential resources, including housing agencies, shelter locations, medical services, Social Security offices, job placement centers and assistance with transportation to return to their home communities, if necessary.
$25,000 towards the Reentry and Restitution Program, which helps reduce housing barriers by addressing outstanding court fines and debts that hinder individuals experiencing homelessness from obtaining stable housing.
$25,000 towards the Pet Foster and Sheltering Program, which provides individuals experiencing homelessness with temporary care for pets during the transition from homelessness to stable housing.

These services align with the Countywide Vision by addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, including individuals experiencing homelessness, to assist them in securing housing.

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center enhances physician medical training through Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles Partnership
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) residents will gain hands-on pediatric anesthesiology experience through an updated affiliation agreement with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

This partnership reinforces the Countywide Vision by fostering a well-trained medical workforce at ARMC and promoting collaboration between educational institutions and healthcare providers.

Arrowhead Regional Medical Center offers clinical training to Walden University nursing students
The board approved a non-financial agreement with Walden University to provide comprehensive clinical training to 15 Walden University nursing students at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center.

The initiative supports ARMC’s mission as a teaching hospital and aligns with the Countywide Vision to enhance workforce development in the county’s healthcare sector.

Preschool Services Department creates internship program for San Joaquin College students
The Board of Supervisors extended an agreement with San Joaquin Valley College to provide field experience for student interns who will assist with hearing, vision and hemoglobin screenings for Preschool Services Department (PSD) children and offer parent education classes on topics such as managing chronic health conditions and preventing the spread of communicable diseases. This partnership benefits PSD’s approximately 2,000 children, aged 0 to 5, throughout San Bernardino County while providing interns with essential field experience and required internship hours.

The internship opportunity underscores the county’s commitment to the Countywide Vision2Succeed initiative by allowing students to gain hands-on training and skills in their fields, while maximizing PSD’s public resources and service to the community.

Newton T. Bass Apple Valley Library expands hours
To better serve the Apple Valley community, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution adding Friday service hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Newton T. Bass Apple Valley Branch Library, effective Dec. 30.

Supporting learning in correctional facilities
The Sheriff’s Department renewed its partnership with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools to continue the Love for Literacy Project at county detention facilities.

Building on a successful pilot project initiated in 2022, this collaboration allows eligible incarcerated parents and their children (ages 0 to 8) access to high-quality, developmentally appropriate literacy resources, supporting rehabilitation and family bonds. Participants can access resources like eBooks, digital games and creative tools for writing and music.

The partnership ensures that eligible justice-impacted families have equitable access to literacy programs and services through the county’s Vision2Read initiative.

Investment in early childhood education workforce
The San Bernardino County Preschool Services Department (PSD) has entered into an agreement with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools to fund $600,000 in stipends for early childhood education teachers through the Quality Counts California Workforce Pathways Stipend program from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027. The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools will provide stipends to retain PSD teaching staff who meet the program criteria, requiring consistent work with eligible children in an early childhood education setting for at least 15 hours per week over nine of the past 12 months.

The stipend program advances the Countywide Vision by collaborating with organizations to support the success of every child from cradle to career and incentivizing the growth of the local early childhood education workforce.

Innovative mental health diversion program funded
The Board of Supervisors approved the county’s Department of Behavioral Health’s approximately $24.8 million revenue agreement with the California Department of State Hospitals to fund the Diversion Opportunity for Outpatient Recovery Services (DOORS) program. This initiative provides community-based alternatives to incarceration and/or state hospitals for individuals with serious mental health disorders.

Wonder Valley Community Center project update
The board approved approximately $100,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for improvements at the Wonder Valley Community Center, including kitchen renovations, new flooring, energy-efficient lighting and a commercial grade reverse osmosis water filtration system.

This project aligns with the Countywide Vision by improving public amenities and increasing opportunities for family and neighborhood engagement.

Additional County Update News – December 19, 2024