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Politics Oct 25, 2024
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. | Photo courtesy of San Bernardino County
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The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a wide range of funding for a diverse scope of community projects.
These district-specific projects received board discretionary funds:
- $100,000 from 2nd District Supervisor’ Jesse Armendarez’s District Specific Priorities Program to the West Valley Water District for the Safeguarding Fontana Through Fire Hydrant Retrofit Project. The project’s goal is for homes in South Fontana to have optimum fire protection and be “within recommended distances from fire hydrants,” according to a county statement.
- $100,000 from the Armendarez program for the Foothill Family Shelter to provide transitional housing and walk-in services including food, diapers and hygiene products to low-income and homeless families from Upland, Ontario, Montclair, Rancho Cucamonga, Claremont and Pomona.
- $56,000 from Armendarez’s program for refurbishing the San Antonio Heights Christmas star.
- $50,000 from the Armendarez program for renaming Randall Pepper Elementary School to O’Day Short Elementary School and supporting school initiatives focused on diversity with.
- $25,000 from Armendarez’s program to support the Upland Chamber of Commerce.
- $10,000 from 4th District Supervisor Curt Hagman’s District Specific Priorities Program for promoting the county with an additional San Bernardino County Night at an Empire Strykers soccer game. The funding will also pay for additional game tickets for residents, especially youth, to attend a game during the 2024-25 season.
Victim witness assistance program funding
The county will receive an approximately $3 million state grant 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,” according to the county statement.
This year’s grant is from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
Refugee Health Assessment Program
The Board of Supervisors accepted a state grant to provide health assessments for newly arrived refugees and asylum-seekers in the Inland Empire.
“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 county statement said.
Since 2014 the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health has provided health assessments to refugees in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, officials said. The grant funding from the California Department of Public Health will allow DPH to receive reimbursement “on a fee-for-service basis in the amount of $106 per comprehensive health assessment and approximately $50,000 in administrative costs.”
Officials said the Refugee Health Assessment Program is in line with county policy “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
The California State Library has awarded the San Bernardino County Library approximately $122,000 to fund 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,” according to the county statement.
Agreement with Step Up on Second
Supervisors approved a memorandum of understanding with Step Up on Second for in-kind services totaling about $767,000. The collaboration between the county and the nonprofit that assists people experiencing homelessness and mental health disorders is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care program.
“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,” county officials said in a statement.
The county’s Department of Behavioral Health provides support services that include case management, job help, housing assistance, basic life skills training, mental health services, substance use treatment and transportation.
CalFresh Employment and Training Program
The San Bernardino County Workforce Development Department secured a $1.75 million agreement with Goodwill Industries of Southern California to administer the CalFresh Employment and Training Program.
The program is for CalFresh recipients who do not receive monetary benefits and provides job readiness training, job seeker workshops, vocational training referrals and educational support, according to the county.
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