Board actions – Oct. 22 – Welcome to San Bernardino County

Board discretionary funds boost local community initiatives

The Board of Supervisors approved several district-specific projects using board discretionary funds:

Refurbishing the San Antonio Heights Christmas star with approximately $56,000 in funding from Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program.

Renaming Randall Pepper Elementary School to O’Day Short Elementary School and supporting school initiatives focused on diversity with $50,000 in funding from Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program.

Promoting the county with an additional “San Bernardino County Night” at an Empire Strykers’ soccer game and acquiring additional game tickets for residents, especially youth, to attend a game in the 2024-2025 season with $10,000 in funding from Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman’s District Specific Priorities Program.

Providing $100,000 in funding from Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program to the West Valley Water District for the Safeguarding Fontana Through Fire Hydrant Retrofit Project, which ensures homes in South Fontana have optimal fire protection and are within recommended distances from fire hydrants.

Assisting the Foothill Family Shelter to provide transitional housing and walk-in services such as food, diapers and hygiene products to low-income and homeless families from the cities of Upland, Ontario, Montclair, Rancho Cucamonga, Claremont and Pomona with $100,000 in funding from Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program.

Supporting the Upland Chamber of Commerce to support local businesses and the Upland community with $25,000 in funding from Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program.

Victim Witness Assistance Program funding

San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson has secured an approximately $3 million grant from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to fund the District Attorney’s Victim Witness Assistance Program.

The program has received grant funding annually since its inception in 1980 and provides a wide variety of social services to victims of and witnesses to crimes, including referrals to physical and mental health providers, coordination of volunteer support from the community, assistance in applying for benefits from the Victim of Crime funds for economic losses and guidance to navigate the criminal justice system.

Refugee Health Assessment Program grant award

The Board of Supervisors accepted a grant from the California Department of Public Health for the Refugee Health Assessment Program, which provides health assessments for newly arrived refugees and asylees in San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

Refugees often face severe trauma and health issues from war, persecution and loss, compounded by limited access to healthcare, making comprehensive health assessments and resources essential for their self-sufficiency.

The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health (DPH) has provided health assessments to newly arrived refugees in San Bernardino and Riverside counties since 2014. The grant funding will allow DPH to be reimbursed on a fee-for-service basis in the amount of $106 per comprehensive health assessment and approximately $50,000 in administrative costs.

The Refugee Health Assessment Program aligns with the Countywide Vision by promoting inclusivity and equity in health services as part of the county’s broader commitment to combat racism as a public health crisis.

Adult Literacy Services Program grant award

The California State Library has awarded the San Bernardino County Library with an approximately $122,000 grant to support the Adult Literacy Services Program. This initiative improves participants’ reading and writing skills through personalized instruction and tutoring and empowers them to accomplish many goals through building self-confidence in applying for jobs, being able to vote and much more.

Additionally, the program supports the Countywide Vision’s Cradle-to-Career Goal to support students throughout their educational career and address needs that impact educational success.

Memorandum of understanding with Step Up on Second

The Board of Supervisors approved a memorandum of understanding with Step Up on Second for in-kind services valued at approximately $767,000. This partnership supports the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Continuum of Care program, which provides vital rental assistance to chronically homeless individuals and families in the county.

Step Up on Second accepts referrals from the county’s Coordinated Entry System, which is a centralized system used to assist people experiencing homelessness in accessing housing and supportive services more effectively, and determines if they are eligible for rental assistance, funded by HUD.

The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) provides important support services, including case management, job help, housing assistance, basic life skills training, mental health services, substance use treatment and transportation for those who qualify for the program.

Contract with Goodwill Industries for CalFresh Employment and Training Program

The San Bernardino County Workforce Development Department secured a $1.75 million contract with Goodwill Industries of Southern California for the CalFresh Employment and Training Program.

This program assists CalFresh recipients who do not receive monetary benefits to achieve self-sufficiency by finding and maintaining employment, including providing job readiness training, job seeker workshops, vocational training referrals and educational support, which aligns with the Countywide Vision by partnering with all sectors of the community to support workforce training and the success of residents from Cradle-To Career.

Additional County Update News – October 22, 2024