The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors took several actions at its January 13 and January 27 regularly scheduled meetings.
The board approved at its January 13 meeting a $3.1 million revenue agreement with the California Department of Public Health for the continued provision of mandated newborn screening specimen collection and courier services through June 30, 2029.
The San Bernardino County Public Health Department will perform these screenings at local birthing hospitals and clinics, ensuring early detection of more than 80 congenital disorders. The agreement allows the county to receive reimbursement for coordination and collection services and supports efforts to improve early treatment and outcomes for infants born in San Bernardino County.
At the January 13 meeting, the board also signed off on accepting federal reimbursement for joint fugitive task force participation.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is receiving a reimbursement from the U.S. Marshals Service for participation in the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force through September 30, 2029. The reimbursement provides up to $31,900 annually for overtime and vehicle fuel costs associated with apprehending federal fugitives.
By participating in the task force, the Sheriff’s Department enhances collaboration between federal and local law enforcement, increases regional safety and supports the Sheriff’s priority of locating and arresting violent offenders, which aligns with the county’s declared goals.
At the same meeting, the board apprved providing mental health support for drug court participants.
The board approved an amendment to an agreement with MFI Recovery Center, Inc., adding approximately $418,000 in funding for a total not to exceed approximately $3.1 million through June 30. Utilizing these partnerships, the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health provides outpatient, intensive outpatient and recovery services for adult participants in the San Bernardino County Superior Court’s Drug Court programs, which divert individuals from incarceration into treatment. The contract amendment ensures continued access to behavioral health services that support sobriety, accountability and reduced recidivism as part of the county’s collaborative justice approach.
The San Bernardino County Land Use Services is amending the county development code to consolidate and update regulations governing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs), ensuring compliance with recent changes in state law. The amendments create a new stand-alone chapter—Chapter 84.36—by consolidating three existing chapters: accessory structures and uses, allowed projections, and parking and loading.
The revised ordinance establishes new development standards, including maximum building heights of 25 feet for attached ADUs, 18 feet for detached ADUs and 16 feet for ADUs permitted by right. Minimum unit sizes are now set at 200 square feet for ADUs and 150 square feet for JADUs. To streamline approvals, Land Use Services will adopt the state-mandated permitting timelines: 75 calendar days for standard plan applications and 45 calendar days for pre-approved plan applications.
At the board’s January 27 meeting, the panel approved discretionary funding allocations to support various community initiatives through what the county calls the district specific priorities program.
The county will appropriate:
– $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 its declared goals.
The board on January 27 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, the San Bernardino County Children and Family Services Department 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.
The San Bernardino County Division of 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 February 1 through January. 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.
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 in their mobile crisis response to strengthen mental heath health care in the field.
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 its declared goals.
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 board on January 27 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 sexually transmitted infection 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.
The county is also going to receive approximately $1.7 million from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which is to be provided to the County Department of Public Health for strengthening public health infrastructure through November 30.
Funding will allow the County Public Health Department 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.