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Administrator
Register your school for Lefty’s Reading Challenge
Schools have though Nov. 3 to register for this year’s Lefty’s Reading Challenge, which encourages students to read books and provides schools with opportunities to win money for their libraries, school-wide pizza parties plus free NASCAR race tickets for staff, students and parents.
Lefty’s Reading Challenge supports the Countywide Vision and its regional goal of partnering with all sectors of the community to support the success of every child from cradle-to-career by promoting and incentivizing literacy, especially the academic indicator of reading at grade level by the third grade.
Since 2009, Lefty’s Reading Challenge has been an enormous success with thousands of students participating. The 2016-2017 program had more than 150,000 students participate in 250 schools.
Lefty’s Reading Challenge is seen by educators as a useful tool to stimulate reading and is in compliance with the Common Core State 
Standards (CCSS) requirements. Students must complete 20 books or reading assignments during the month-long Reading Challenge. Students return a signed registration form and receive a free membership to Lefty’s Kids Club. Based on enrollment, schools with 100% participation will earn prize money for their school library.
Schools must register to participate in the challenge. The program is free to all participating schools.
The 2019 Lefty’s Reading Challenge will take place from Nov. 4 through Nov. 29. Schools can register for Lefty’s Reading Challenge at: http://www.leftysreadingchallenge.com/Drop-Down-Pages/Registration.aspx. For more information on Lefty’s Reading Challenge, visit: http://www.leftysreadingchallenge.com/Drop-Down-Pages/About-LRC.aspx
County superintendent will “inspire innovation” during State of Education events
San Bernardino County Superintendent Ted Alejandre will deliver his two annual State of Education Addresses this month, where he will
provide updates on the positive developments taking place in our public schools and our Collective Impact efforts as part of the Countywide Vision. The events will also showcase outstanding students and programs from SBCSS and the 33 school districts in our county.
The public is invited to attend both events, which are free. The first will be held on Sept. 19 beginning at 3:30 p.m. at the California Theatre of the Performing Arts, which is located at 562 West 4th St. in San Bernardino. Click here for more information.
The second State Of Education Address will take place on Sept. 25 at the High Desert Church, located at 14545 Hook Blvd. in Victorville. It also will begin at 3:30 p.m. Click here for more information.
The theme of Alejandre’s address is “Inspiring Innovation.” For more information about the events, contact the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools’ Communications office at (909) 386-2413.
Sign up now to participate in the Colton Joint Unified College and Career Fair on Oct. 2
Applications are now being accepted from business, non-profit and government organizations wanting to participate in the Fourth Annual CJUSD College and Career Fair, to be held from 5:30 to 
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2 at the Gonzales Community Center, 670 Colton Avenue in Colton.
This popular event is a collaborative effort of the Colton Joint Unified School District and City of Colton with sponsorship from the law firm of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, Omnitrans, Inland Empire Economic Partnership, and Horace Mann Insurance (Marcos Mata Agency).
Businesses, government organizations, and non-profits are invited to participate by sharing career pathway information with students. This is an informational-only opportunity and no sales of any kind will be allowed. A table and chairs will be provided to all accepted participants at no cost.
The fair has become a popular tradition in Colton, with the district’s first three fairs each drawing more than 3,000 attendees. The College and Career Fair features more than 100 booths representing colleges, universities, technical/trade schools and career pathways. In addition, this event also features workshops on how to pay for college and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Seniors can even begin or complete their FAFSA application at the fair so that they have a head start in the college planning process. Seniors who attend a FAFSA workshop and complete a survey will be entered in a drawing for a college scholarship offered through Cash for College.
Younger students will enjoy fun, hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) activities, led by students in the district’s College and Career Pathway programs and representatives from our elementary schools.
Booth space very limited, so those interested are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible. To request a spot, please register using this Google form:
http://bit.ly/2019BusinessForm
For more information, please contact CJUSD Communications Specialist Jacquie Paul at 909-580-6502 or Jacquie_Paul@cjusd.net.
Find your Vision2Succeed at the county’s largest regional business summit
On Feb. 12, more than 1,000 business, community and government leaders will come together for San Bernardino County’s annual Regional Business Summit and State of the County. For 2019, the event theme “Innovate. Transform. Grow.” recognizes the County’s economic strength, business growth and innovative ideas designed to further transform the region, including the recently launched Vision2Succeed campaign, designed to prepare county residents for the jobs we have and the jobs we want to attract.
The Inland Empire chapter of NAIOP will also hold a real estate industry presentation prior to the State of the County titled “San Bernardino County: The Road Forward.”
For more information, registration and sponsorship information, click here.
Recognized as the largest regional business event in the County, the event will feature a message from Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman along with interviews to include Jason Feifer, editor-in-chief, Entrepreneur magazine along with leaders from the County’s top industries and businesses such as Garner Holt Productions, General Atomic, China Airlines, Federal Express UPS, NUUO, and Lennar Homes.
“The County continues to lead the state and nation in job and population growth. At a time when business and residents are being priced out of coastal markets, we continue to be a quality choice for business expansion and for a quality lifestyle,” Chairman Hagman said. “That’s why I encourage businesses to make plans now to be part of this event. We will share information to encourage business growth as well as provide a forum for valuable engagement with regional leaders. Bottom line, this event is about business expansion and job creation.”
The 2019 Regional Business Summit and State of the County is an excellent opportunity to collaborate with the most influential business owners, presidents, CEO and other decision makers in both the public and private sectors because of the high level of content presented and attendees.
The NAIOP IE panel will begin at 3:30 pm. Registration for State of the County begins at 4:30 pm. The NAIOP panel will be led by moderator Terry Thompson, director of real estate, San Bernardino County with panelists: Bill Heim, principal, Lee & Associates; Doug Jorritsma, senior vice president, Land Advisors; and Val Achtemeier, executive vice president, CBRE and Greg Devereraux, Worthington Partners.
The event will be held at the Citizens Business Bank Arena located at 4000 Ontario Center in Ontario. Sponsorship opportunities for greater business exposure are still available. For more information, visit http://www.sbcountyadvantage.com/About-Us/State-of-the-County.aspx.
Workforce Roadmap shows the county has a Vision2Succeed
San Bernardino County is showing tremendous growth and opportunity, according to research released today as part of the County’s new Workforce Roadmap. The Workforce Road Map identifies current and future needs of the region by using statistical data, labor market information and real-time intelligence.
The research study entitled Labor Market Indicator Report (LMI), conducted by the UC-Riverside Center for Economic Research and Development, showed that San Bernardino County is experiencing an annual net migration of 25,000 people and has added more than 130,000 jobs since 2010 – a 27 percent growth rate. Key employment sectors include logistics, manufacturing – which as increased by 22.5 percent since 2010, and healthcare. The study also calls out the lower cost of home ownership – not just the median home prices. This suggests that San Bernardino County has better opportunities for longer term regional retention than its neighboring counties.
The LMI is the first of three studies that will form a baseline to better understand where the region’s workforce and economic opportunities exist.
Curt Hagman, chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, said that the Roadmap and the recently launched Vision2Succeed Initiative are key to achieving the Countywide Vision, adopted by the Board seven years ago. Vision2Succeed is designed to engage the community in a way that strengthens the skills of our local workforce, prepares them for career opportunities and supports and attracts business.
“San Bernardino County is one of the fastest-growing population and employment centers in the U.S. People are coming here to experience a better quality of life and take advantage of the growing economic opportunities that exist here,” Hagman said. “Vision2Succeed and the Workforce Roadmap are two critical steps in establishing our county as a model for attracting businesses and creating partnerships that support the success of every resident.”
“Members of the Board of Supervisors and I have had the opportunity to see the various County-supported internship and other youth career programs in action, and these are game-changers for our region,” said County Chief Executive Officer Gary McBride. “Preparing our young people for the jobs we hope to attract is key to capitalizing on our current economic growth and achieving the Countywide Vision to ensure a prosperous and healthy future for our residents and investors.”
In addition to offering labor market intelligence, the Workforce Roadmap will provide asset mapping and real-time economic data to help businesses and stakeholders better understand not only what has taken place in our county, but where the county is going. That understanding will help better prepare workers for future opportunities, while ensuring that growing businesses have a pipeline of trained and qualified employees.
The ongoing effort is being led by the County’s Workforce Development Board (WDB) and Economic Development Agency (EDA) in partnership with employers, educators and businesses.
“As a business owner, there’s so much information out there that it can be difficult to know where to turn to. The Workforce Roadmap pulls together critical information businesses need to succeed. It also engages businesses in a way that’s never been done before, with a focus on how, together, we can build a pool of trained and qualified employees that help businesses grow and prosper,” said Tony Myrell, Owner of Premier Medical Transportation Inc. and Chairman of the WDB.
The Workforce Development Board is the County’s Labor Market Data resource. The information presented will be used to develop forward thinking programs that support job creation and business growth.
“The only way to close the skills gap is to become predictive in nature, rather than reacting to changes after they’ve happened,” said Reg Javier, deputy executive officer, Economic and Workforce Development. “Today’s discussion is not the end of the process, but the beginning of a conversation and partnership between workforce, economic development, education and industry to determine what is needed and how to align systems and resources.”
The San Bernardino County Workforce Development Board (WDB) is comprised of private business representatives and public partners appointed by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. The WDB strives to strengthen the skills of the county’s workforce through partnerships with business, education and community-based organizations. The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors is committed to providing County resources, which generate jobs and investment in line with the Countywide Vision.
The Workforce Development Board, through the San Bernardino County Economic Development Agency and Workforce Development Department, offers a variety of programs designed to help youth and adults identify career pathways and get the appropriate training and skills. Programs funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provide eligible youth, ages 16 to 24, access to a variety of career and educational services designed to help enhance job skills, develop leadership qualities, explore career options, participate in adult and peer mentoring opportunities, and take advantage of work experiences. In addition, the WDB operates San Bernardino County’s three America’s Job Centers of California (AJCC). The AJCCs provide individuals with job training, placement and the tools to strengthen their skills to achieve a higher quality of life. The AJCCs also support and provide services to the county’s businesses, including employee recruitment and business retention programs.
Employers and job seekers who are interested in the Workforce Development Board programs may call: (800) 451-JOBS or visit www.sbcounty.gov/workforce. Also follow us on: Facebook www.facebook.com/SBCountyWDB; Twitter @InlandEmpireJob; LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/sanbernardinocountywdb; and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/SBCountyWIB.
Affordable housing units for veterans available in Loma Linda
The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino and the San Bernardino County Community Development and Housing Agency invites military veterans to apply for spots on the waiting list for 36 brand-new 2- and 3-bedroom apartments at Loma Linda Veterans Village.
Apartments come with refrigerators and dishwashers, while the community includes a club room with kitchen, basketball court, swimming pool, volleyball court, laundry facilities, computer lab and on-site management. Mobility-impaired households will have priority for nine units designed for their needs and hearing/sight-impaired households will have priority for five units designed for their needs.
Income and other restrictions apply. Applicants will be referred from the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino waitlist. Once qualified by the Housing Authority, applicants who are offered a unit will receive a Project-Based Voucher rental subsidy. Tenant rent will be up to 30 percent of the total household gross income as determined by the Housing Authority.
Applications are available for download at the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino website, http://ww2.hacsb.com/, or for pickup at any Housing Authority office.
Up-to-date information is available by calling 909-992-0931. Click here for more information about Loma Linda Veterans Village.
Want to be a firefighter? Check out the San Bernardino fire station open house
The public — especially children who might be interested in careers as firefighters and their families — are invited to an open house at the San Bernardino fire station at 200 East 3rd St on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Those who attend can tour the station and see how firefighters live and work, interact with the firefighters, and see how they utilize their vehicles for different types of emergency situations. Sparky the mascot will be available for photos.
Share this post and photos from the event on social media using the hashtag #Vision4Safety.
Click here for more information about the event or contact San Bernardino County Fire Protection District Fire Prevention Officer Manny Sedano at 909-918-2201 or msedano@sbcfire.org. For more information about Vision4Safety, please visit vision4safety.com.
Vision group presents updated countywide water inventory
Adequate water will be available to sustainably meet the needs of San Bernardino County residents and businesses through 2040 only if water users continue to improve water-use efficiency efforts and the public; state; regional and local government leaders; and developers are willing to collaborate and invest in projects that will store, reuse, protect and convey water supplies.
That was the conclusion of a 2018 update of a complete inventory of the county’s water resources presented today at the Annual San Bernardino County Water Conference in Ontario. The inventory is a product of the Countywide Vision Water Element Group’s efforts to bring together the leaders of all county water agencies and other experts to work cooperatively on solutions to a potential imbalance between population growth and water supply.
The inventory shows that the combined current and projected supplies of San Bernardino County water agencies will meet the demand of the county’s growing population in normal years and drought years through 2040. A projected increase of water supplies of 44,000 acre feet per year (afy) to a total of 819,000 afy by 2040 assumes substantial investment in enhancements to the State Water Project, stormwater capture and recycled water.
Per-capita water demand (total water use divided by population) is projected to decrease about 8% from 2020 to 2040 as more residents and businesses make conservation a way of life. As a result, while the population is projected to grow from 2.18 million in 2020 to 2.78 million by 2040, the combined Urban and Agricultural water demand within the county is expected to increase at a much slower pace – from a total of about 600,000 afy in 2020 to about 700,000 afy in 2040.
The complete presentation can be viewed on the Vision website at www.sbcounty.gov/vision under “Elements.”
The Countywide Vision Water Element Group is made up of leaders from county water agencies, business representatives and other stakeholders. It was formed in January 2012 to develop a long-range plan to ensure water sustainability for San Bernardino County’s future.
The Vision Water Element group will continue to use the information contained in the inventory to promote partnerships among water agencies and other stakeholders within the county, improve water management and efficiency, protect and conserve water resources, and identify the most important next steps the group should take to embrace the environment in which we live.
The Countywide Vision was developed in 2010-11 in an effort to identify a common goal for all county communities and residents. The Vision was created from information received during 18 community meetings, an online survey, more than two dozen expert roundtables, and data from the county and all 24 cities and towns.
Sign up for this year’s Colton Joint Unified College and Career Fair
Applications are now being accepted from business, non-profit and government organizations wanting to participate in the Third Annual Colton Joint Unified School District College and Career Fair, to be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3 at the Gonzales Community Center, 670 Colton Ave. in Colton.
This popular event is a collaborative effort of the Colton Joint Unified School District and City of Colton with sponsorship from the law firm of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, Omnitrans, the Inland Empire Economic Partnership, and Horace Mann Insurance (Marcos Mata Agency).
Businesses, government organizations, and non-profits are invited to participate by sharing career pathway information with students. This is an informational-only opportunity and no sales of any kind will be allowed. A table and chairs will be provided to all accepted participants at no cost.
The fair has become a popular tradition in Colton, with the district’s first two annual events each drawing more than 3,000 in attendance. The College and Career Fair features more than 100 booths representing colleges, universities, technical/trade schools and career pathways. The event also features workshops on how to pay for college and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Fun, hands-on activities will allow younger students to explore STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) fields.
Space is very limited, so those interested are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible. To request a spot, please register using the Google form at http://bit.ly/2018CollegeandCareerBusiness
For more information, please contact CJUSD Communications Specialist Jacquie Paul at 909-580-6502 or Jacquie_Paul@cjusd.net.
Arrowhead Grove affordable housing project receives $20m from California Strategic Growth Council
In a milestone decision on June 28, 2018, the state’s Strategic Growth Council (SGC) awarded San Bernardino $20 million through the California Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program – a first for the Inland Empire. The win reflects a longstanding and heralded public-private partnership to revitalize one of San Bernardino’s core neighborhoods called Arrowhead Grove, formerly known as the Waterman Gardens Public Housing site.
“This decision is paramount in the continued effort toward rehabilitating the Waterman Corridor in San Bernardino,” said City of San Bernardino Mayor R. Carey Davis. “This is a testament to the power of community collaboration. With the support of our partners, we will continue to pursue safe and stable communities for our residents and families to thrive.”
The contribution via AHSC’s implementation of a statewide program uses Cap-and-Trade dollars for projects that improve public health and the environment in disadvantaged communities. The $20 million will help fund two upcoming phases of Arrowhead Grove at North Waterman Avenue and East Baseline Street, compromising 147 affordable housing units and 36 market-rate units, along with pedestrian and transit improvements that will benefit the community-at-large. Upon completion, Arrowhead Grove will include about 400 units as well as community amenities like a pool and clubhouse, upgraded infrastructure, walking paths, a community garden and a computer lab for residents.
National Community Renaissance (National CORE), one of the nation’s largest affordable housing developers and the general contractor for the project, is working in partnership with the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino to transform the Arrowhead Grove neighborhood.
“None of this would be possible without the collective commitment of the City, the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (HACSB) and every stakeholder, funder and agency that have dedicated themselves to turning this dream into reality,” said Steve PonTell, president and chief executive officer of National CORE. “We are grateful for the SGC and the AHSC support and we are eager to move forward with the next stages of this transformative effort to rebuild San Bernardino block by block.”
“There is a critical need for affordable housing in San Bernardino County,” said Supervisor Josie Gonzales, whose Fifth District includes Arrowhead Grove. “We owe a great deal of thanks to our legislative delegation, the HASCB, National CORE, other county agencies, and the City of San Bernardino for the hard work they put into acquiring this vital funding source.”
Two initial phases of the Waterman Gardens redevelopment have already been completed. Valencia Vista, the first phase with 76 units, opened to residents in December 2016. A little more than a year later, Olive Meadow, the second phase with 62 units, opened in September 2017. Both have earned recognition from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, and the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, among others, for the transformative impact on the lives of residents and the community at-large.
“This was a collaborative effort with so many partners,” said Housing Authority of San Bernardino County’s Executive Director Maria Razo. “We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to effectively invest and leverage our dollars to achieve the vision of affordable housing and active transportation options that improve the health and well-being of the residents who live in the area.”
Financing for the overall Arrowhead Grove plan is through a variety of private and public sources including low-income housing tax credit financing, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program and federal HOME-Investment Partnership funds.
With this advancement and the continued momentum of the developer, agencies involved are hopeful that Arrowhead Grove’s construction will break ground in late 2018 or early 2019.
ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM (AHSC) The Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program (AHSC) builds healthier communities and protects the environment by increasing the supply of affordable places to live near jobs, stores, transit, and other daily needs. This program is administered by the Strategic Growth Council (SGC) which coordinates the activities of State agencies and partners with stakeholders to promote sustainability, economic prosperity, and quality of life for all Californians. The AHSC Program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap‑and‑Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment – particularly in disadvantaged communities. For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov
ABOUT NATIONAL COMMUNITY RENAISSANCE (NATIONAL CORE) National Community Renaissance, based in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit developers of affordable housing. CORE manages nearly 9,000 affordable, senior and market-rate units in California, Arkansas, Texas and Florida. Over its nearly two decade history, the Hope through Housing Foundation has provided more than 2 million hours of transformational social services such as financial literacy training, senior wellness, and preschool and afterschool programs. For more information on National CORE and Hope through Housing, please visit www.nationalcore.org.
ABOUT HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO (HACSB) The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino is one of the nation’s most progressive housing authorities in the Country. As the largest provider of affordable housing in the County, we proudly serve approximately 30,000 people, most of whom are seniors, veterans, disabled individuals, and children. We also work on connecting our families with additional needed to achieve their personal goals. For more information, please visit: www.hacsb.com
ABOUT CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO San Bernardino is a city rooted in rich history and cultural diversity. Located at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains, this city is positioned for world-class excellence made possible with access to nearby deserts, mountain communities and beaches. San Bernardino is also situated along one of the nation’s busiest transportation corridors and thrives as a logistics hub. Currently under a major revitalization effort, the City of San Bernardino has endless possibilities for the future. For additional information about San Bernardino, visit www.SBCity.org, facebook.com/sbcitygov or twitter.com/sbcitygov.
