November 5 | Volume 30 No. 33

Westsidestory Newspaper

San Bernardino County Celebrates Ribbon Cutting At Highland Creek Housing and Wellness Campus

SAN BERNRDINO, CA. — San Bernardino County celebrated the ribbon cutting for Phase II of the Highland Creek Housing & Wellness Campus on Monday. The newly expanded campus represents a continued commitment to providing stable housing, treatment and care services for some of the county’s most vulnerable residents. Ceremony attendees included Board of Supervisors Vice Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr.; San Bernardino County Chief Executive Officer Luther Snoke; As semblymember James Ramos, 45th District; Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Culture Seat Member Joseph “Joe” Maarango; San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran; San Bernardino County Assistant Executive Officer Trevor Leja; and California Department of Social Services Community Care Expansion Program Unit Manager Zion Smith. Highland Creek, formerly known as Pacific Village, is a collaborative project involving the county departments of Behavioral Health, Aging and Adult Care, Community Development and Housing, and Project and Facilities Management. The campus will serve individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless. On-site services will focus on older adults, people with disabilities and those experiencing substance use challenges, San Bernardino County officials and project partners participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony for Phase II of the Highland Creek Housing & Wellness Campus.

groups that often face barriers to accessing appropriate care and housing. “The expansion of Highland Creek is an investment in our community that will have a lasting impact for generations to come,” Baca, Jr., said. “It will create opportunities, improve well-being and help ensure that individuals and families have the support they need to thrive. I’m proud to be a part of making this project a reality. Ultimately, it’s about the people who come after us and the legacy we leave for them.”

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Rep. Aguilar Announces Nearly $1.7 Million for Healthcare Job Training and Technology Education at Inland Empire Community Colleges

Crafton Hills College will receive over $1.1 million to train student EMTs, paramedics and nursing assistants and San Bernardino Valley College will receive nearly $600,000 to teach students responsible artificial intelligence (AI) usage

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Recently, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) announced $1,69,2495 in grants for the San Bernardino Community College District. The funding will expand training at Crafton Hills College for healthcare and first responder jobs and teach San Ber nardino Valley College students to use artifi cial intelligence responsibly in school and at work. Of that funding, Crafton Hills College will receive $1,102,000 to expand EMT and paramedic apprenticeships, start a nursing assistant pathway at Pacific High School and create a new occupational therapy assistant program. Over five years, the funding will help train 220 EMT and paramedic apprentices, 115 nursing assistant students and 40 occupational therapy assistant students. It will also provide more than 1,500 students with workplace learning, educational planning and career guidance services. San Bernardino Valley College will receive the remaining $590,495 to teach at least 5,000 students over five years how to use AI for re search, communication, problem-solving and career preparation and how to prevent issues with accuracy, privacy and bias. The grant will also support student workshops, peer mentoring and a new course on AI. The funding will train 450 instructors and update at least 100 courses to incorporate responsible AI usage into teaching and learning. “For students at San Bernardino Valley College and Crafton Hills College, a good-paying, successful career starts with a strong foundation,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “That’s why I’m proud to announce this funding to create job opportunities for future nurses and EMTs while making sure students learn to use AI the right way before they start their careers.

I’m excited to see how these grants will help young people in the Inland Empire build their lives right here in our community.” “Families want an education they can afford, close to home, that leads to a good-paying job,” said Diana Z. Rodriguez, Chancellor, San Bernardino Community College District. “These federal investments will help students at Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College finish school and prepare for careers in firefighting, nursing, the skilled trades and many other fields. We thank Congressman Aguilar, Congress and the U.S. Department of Education for helping our students build a better future here in the Inland Empire.” “We are grateful for this investment in our students and our community,” said Dr. Gilbert J. Contreras, President, San Bernardino Valley

See "$1.7 Million for..." page 7