Board Actions – Jan. 27 – Welcome to San Bernardino County

A "San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Meeting Actions" banner with five members standing in front of the County Government Center. — *The Board of Supervisors took several actions during its regular board meeting on Jan. 27.*

Board discretionary funding supports various community initiatives

The Board of Supervisors approved discretionary funding allocations to support various community initiatives through the District Specific Priorities Program.

$433,500 from Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program to the Fontana Unified School District to enhance school safety through a new Crisis Alert Platform Program for $418,500 and to support Summit High School Cheer Boosters for $15,000.
$150,000 from Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program to the City of Fontana to support its Downtown Economic Development Plan, including cultural programming, artist development and small business activation.
$125,000 from Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program to The Rivers Edge Ranch to launch a women’s residential recovery program in Apple Valley.
$50,000 from Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program to Thundar Lightning and Peace to expand outreach and wellness services for veterans and first responders.
Up to $50,000 from Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman’s District Specific Priorities Program to Chino Post No. 299 American Legion Department of California to support the event hall renovation project at the Chino post.

These investments will enhance recovery services, economic opportunity and public safety through strategic partnerships that will help the county to achieve the Countywide Vision.

Child Welfare Ad Hoc Committee created

The board approved the creation of a Child Welfare Ad Hoc Committee to review and recommend policy changes that strengthen child protection and family services. The committee will consist of Vice Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr. and Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez.

This newly formed committee will work alongside county departments to evaluate the structure, practices and policies of the county’s child welfare system. In 2025, San Bernardino County Children and Family Services received more than 24,800 referrals and served over 7,100 children, including more than 5,400 in active foster care placements. The committee’s goal is to identify and address barriers to child safety, improve case timelines and enhance long-term outcomes for children and families.

Mobile spay, neuter and shelter veterinary services expanded

San Bernardino County Animal Care is partnering with The PAW Mission to expand mobile veterinary services to support animal shelters and community cat programs throughout the county. The $500,000 annual agreement will provide spay/neuter, vaccination and general veterinary care both in the field and at the county’s Devore and Big Bear shelters from Feb. 1 through Jan. 31, 2028.

The PAW Mission will help reduce overcrowding by preparing more shelter animals for adoption and expanding the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return program to humanely reduce free-roaming cat populations in unincorporated areas.

New mobile crisis response vehicles to strengthen mental health care in the field

The board approved a $1.2 million contract with E-1 Holdings, Inc. to purchase and upfit eight new vehicles to support San Bernardino County Behavioral Health’s Community Crisis Response Teams.

The new vehicles will enhance the county’s ability to deliver mental health crisis intervention services directly in the community, often in coordination with law enforcement or emergency medical responders. The units will be equipped with emergency lighting, communications technology, storage and interior modifications to support a safe and effective field response.

By increasing timely access to behavioral health services, the county is making continued progress toward achieving the Countywide Vision.

Grant funding will strengthen access to public defense

The San Bernardino County Public Defender received a $1.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to support holistic defense services in the county. The funding will help to establish an interdisciplinary, client-centered legal representation model, including wraparound services such as social work, mental health support and reentry services.

The initiative is designed to improve outcomes for individuals in need facing criminal charges and aligns with the Countywide Vision.

Disease prevention and behavioral health supported through grant awards

The board accepted more than $45 million in grant funding to support local efforts to prevent infectious disease and improve behavioral health services, including:

Approximately $4.7 million from the California Department of Public Health to San Bernardino County Public Health for the Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention and Collaboration Program for the period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031.
- Funds will support STI prevention, testing, treatment and care activities focused on high-risk and at-need populations.
- At least 50 percent of the funds must be allocated to community-based organizations or nonprofit health care providers selected through a competitive process.
Approximately $1.7 million from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to Public Health for strengthening public health infrastructure through Nov. 30.
- Funding will allow Public Health to enhance the department’s performance management and accreditation effort, the development of policies and standard practices, updates to the electronic health record system, and financial management and procurement processes.
- This is the county’s second award installment under this grant program.
Approximately $39 million from the California Department of Health Care Services for the Bond Behavioral Continuum Infrastructure Program (Round 1: Launch ready grant) to San Bernardino County Behavioral Health through June 30, 2026.
- Behavioral Health will utilize approximately $3.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding, land contributed to the Pacific Village Platinum Campus and any needed 2011 Support Services funds to meet the 10% local match requirement for the grant award.
- The departments will utilize the grant funds toward the construction and rehabilitation of the campus, including facilities for crisis stabilization, crisis residential, community and outpatient behavioral health services and clinically enriched long-term treatment.

By receiving these grant funds, Public Health and Behavioral Health are working toward achieving the health care goals in the Countywide Vision.

Affordable housing and community development investment strategy

San Bernardino County Community Development and Housing presented the proposed 2026–27 U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Consolidated Annual Action Plan, which serves as the county’s formal grant spending strategy for approximately $9.1 million in anticipated federal entitlement funding from federal programs, including Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships and Emergency Solutions Grant.

The department developed the plan in collaboration with local jurisdictions, service providers, developers and the San Bernardino County Office of Homeless Services.

The final annual action plan will be presented to the board in April for approval and submitted to HUD in April.

Additional County Update News – January 29