Reach Out

Youth & Family WellnessJurupa Valley Resource Center: Reach Out celebrated the grand opening of the new Jurupa Valley Resource Center (JVRC) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in March 2023. Over 150 community members were in attendance, as well as 30 partnering organizations and dignitaries. The Jurupa Valley Resource Center, in collaboration with local organizations and agencies, serves as a dedicated hub to connect community members with essential services and resources. It provides a safe space for exploration and sustainable change. The JVRC team identifies needs and priorities, navigates access to resources, and establishes long-term goals to improve the quality of life for individuals and families. The JVRC facilitators provided complex case management support to 31 individuals and families between March and June, connecting them with vital services like housing, financial literacy, employment opportunities, healthcare coverage, and specialized children services. Additionally, the JVRC hosted eight free community events attracting over 250 participants in a wide array of services including legal clinics, tax preparation assistance, health screenings, and yoga and meditation workshops. Moving forward, Reach Out's commitment remains steadfast in delivering relevant and effective services and resources to the residents of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, continuing to empower our communities and create positive change.Mamas y Bebes and Nurturing Families:Mamas y Bebes (Mothers and Babies) is a program that provides a toolkit of coping skills and gives mothers strategies for creating healthy behaviors, healthy thoughts, and positive social support.The Mams y Bebs initiative played a vital role in empowering individuals within the community through an 8-week class focused on well-being. The Diaper Bank served an average of 73 families monthly, and distributed an impressive 79,354 diapers in total, offering critical support to families with young children. Additionally, three 'Mommy Appreciation' luncheons were held to celebrate and support mothers who have participated in the Nurturing Families and Mams y Bebs programs. The Nurturing Families program facilitated 952 NFP case management office visits and parenting classes to promote increased family well-being.Earned Income Tax CreditReach Out was able to provide assistance to families through the Earned Income Tax Credit program, contributing not only to the financial well-being of residents throughout the Inland region but also to the overall prosperity of the community. Outreach efforts included multiple touchpoints with huge success. 69,540-emails, 191,900-social media, 19,751-flyers distributed, 6,303-in-person presentations, and 1,648-virtual presentations for a total reach of over 289,000.Student WellnessReach Out partnered with Chaffey Joint Union High School District to establish student wellness centers on high school campuses. These wellness centers are aimed at supporting student success and social-emotional learning through intervention provided by Reach Out Intervention Specialists (IS) in collaboration with school administration and staff. Since the initiation of the Student Assistance Program in March 2022, these Intervention Specialists (IS) have actively served nine local high schools. These wellness centers are designed to promote student success and foster social-emotional learning (SEL). Reach Out's dedicated IS team works closely with school administrators and staff to address the individual needs of students, providing targeted interventions that support their overall well-being and resilience. The data reports for the 2022-2023 school year indicate that services were provided to a total of 1,589 unduplicated students, engaging in a remarkable total of 5,434 student interactions. The primary reasons for student visits to the wellness centers included seeking a safe space, receiving assistance with anxiety-related concerns, and guidance in resolving conflicts with others. The IS team's collaborative efforts will persist as they continue to empower and support local high school students, fostering SEL, and cultivating an inclusive, educational, empowering, and safe environment for overall growth and success.Mental Health Awareness/QPR (suicide prevention):The Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT) program has broken new ground in providing critical trainings to Native American tribes and their law enforcement officers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. After strenuous outreach efforts, Reach Out's MHAT team successfully established new partnerships that helped promote these trainings to various communities. A new project in the works in collaboration with San Bernardino County Sheriff facilities and their staff in detention centers in the Inland Empire to provide Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) training to inmates due to high rates of suicide among the inmate population. Additionally, the team provided training to 80 unduplicated individuals under the MHAT grant.Reach Out has partnerships with the Department of Behavioral Health, Ontario Police Department, other law enforcement agencies, as well as emerging work with local fire departments throughout the region, that enabled us to deliver the QPR/Suicide Prevention Training program in Spanish for students who were monolingual. We hosted an engaging Psych seminar at Pacific High, made possible through a grant from Kaiser.The Health Professions Conference: The Health Professions Conference (HPC) is an annual event that provides high school students in the Inland Southern California region with the opportunity to explore health careers through keynote presenters and interactive workshops. This year's HPC took place in April 2023 at the University of California Riverside (UCR), attracting over 300 students from seven distinct school districts throughout the Inland Empire. The students were assigned to workshops where they participated in hands-on discussions led by 25 different professional healthcare speakers across various health fields covering a total of 23 sessions. The conference gave these students a unique experience, to develop and enhance their understanding of in-demand healthcare specializations and accumulate the knowledge needed to pursue a career in the healthcare industry. Conference attendees heard from an array of speakers, and a total of 18 vendors ranging from nonprofits, universities, community colleges, and healthcare workforce facilities were on hand to provide valuable resources to students.

Health WorkforceWork-based Learning:The IHPC Work-Based Learning (WBL) team made a substantial impact on the educational journeys of over 700 students spanning multiple school districts in the Inland Empire. Their commitment translated into a diverse range of services, including internships, job shadowing, enlightening career speaker sessions, health site visits, and various enriching activities. The IHPC WBL team facilitated over 40 healthcare professionals who generously shared their insights, experiences, and career paths, guiding students on their journeys into healthcare professions. The IHPC WBL team also provided support to participating students by providing them with complimentary scrubs, gas cards to alleviate transportation costs, and stipends to ensure financial barriers did not hinder participation. The team remains steadfast in its mission to impact the youth of the Inland Empire, addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals.Community Health Workers:Reach Out achieved significant milestones in its Community Health Worker (CHW) Program, contributing to the organization's mission of enhancing community health and well-being. Within this period, Reach Out proudly trained and successfully graduated six cohorts and a total of 38 dedicated individuals who are now actively serving as CHWs in their respective communities. Among those cohorts that graduated, 18 monolingual residents were introduced to its curriculum. This resulted in the graduation of 10 proficient Promotores de Salud CHWs, signifying Reach Out's commitment to inclusivity and diversity within the workforce. Reach Out fostered valuable collaborations with the University of California, Riverside (UCR) Medical School Center for Healthy Communities, further enriching Reach Out's network of partners. Reach Out's CHW Training Program remained steadfast in its commitment to excellence, certifying three cohorts totaling 18 community health workers who are poised to make a significant impact in the Inland Empire community. Additionally, in collaboration with Cajon High School from San Bernardino City Unified School District, and Launch Apprenticeship, 10 students from the Cajon High School Behavioral Health and Human Services Pathway participated in the CHW training. This pioneering collaboration represents the first-of-its-kind partnership between IHPC, Cajon High School, and Launch Apprenticeship, providing a unique opportunity for students to integrate their CHW knowledge into their college pursuits. These students are actively applying their expertise in majors such as child development, sociology, psychology, and other similar majors with the shared goal of making a positive impact in the community.Moving In New Directions (MIND):The Moving In New Directions (MIND) program maintained its dual focus aimed at enhancing themental and behavioral well-being of youth and providing them with exposure to diverse mental health career opportunities. One notable highlight was the successful organization of the Get Psyched event, which took place at Cajon High School. The Get Psyched event served as an invaluable platform for students to gain insight into various mental health pathways and careers. It fostered an environment where students had the opportunity to explore the extensive resources available within their county, thereby expanding their understanding of the mental health support network. The students engaged in immersive activities, enabling them to empathize with individuals facing mental health challenges and gain a real-world perspective on this critical issue.Distinguished speakers at the event imparted essential skills, knowledge, and self-care practices, all contributing to the promotion of positive mental health among the participating students. The Get Psyched event was a significant milestone in the MIND program's ongoing efforts to empower and educate youth about mental health, ultimately working towards a healthier and more informed community.White Coat Program:Reach Out celebrated the return of the White Coat program, generously sponsored by the Guellermo J. Valenzuela Foundation and San Bernardino County Medical Society. This initiative brought forth a transformative experience for youth hailing from diverse corners of the Inland Empire, providing them with an invaluable opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the demanding world of orthopedic medicine.Inland Health Professions Consortium (IHPC) oversees the White Coat program, which was met with an overwhelming surge of applications from aspiring young medical professionals. In response, the White Coat program underwent an unprecedented extension, stretching beyond its original timeframe, encompassing not only spring break but also the entire summer season. During the course of the program, more than twenty exceptionally driven students were afforded the unique privilege of delving deep into the intricacies of the healthcare field.Youth Advocates for Health Access:The Youth Advocates for Health Access (YAHA) program orchestrated an immersive and comprehensive 40-hour externship program, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing the next generation of healthcare advocates. This impactful initiative was designed to provide participating students with a multifaceted field experience that seamlessly blended curriculum-based educational training with hands-on field exposure across the Inland Empire. During this enriching program, each student dedicated eight hours to rigorous educational training, designed to equip them with a deep understanding of the critical issues at the intersection of healthcare and community advocacy. An additional 32 hours were allocated for invaluable field experience, affording students the opportunity to actively engage with real-world healthcare challenges within the Inland Empire. In recognition of their dedication and commitment to the YAHA program, students were awarded a $200 stipend and a certificate of completion as appreciation and encouragement for their exemplary efforts. The YAHA program's summer externship undoubtedly left an indelible mark on both the participating students and the communities they served, reaffirming the organization's pivotal role in fostering a small group of passionate and knowledgeable youth advocates poised to drive positive change in the realm of health access and equity.

Community Health & PolicyYouth Court:Youth Court is a partnership between the Fontana School Police, the Fontana Unified School District, Jurupa Unified School District, and Reach Out. This voluntary diversion program bridges the gap between the traditional juvenile system and school suspension systems. It is a restorative justice program with wraparound services that enable participants to stay out of the juvenile system. All proceedings are confidential. The cases must be first-time and minor offenses, such as; fighting in school or being caught with a vape pen. Youth Court continues to be successful in deterring first-time juvenile offenders from escalating to more serious cases.Coalitions:The Community Health & Policy (CHP) team runs three coalitions: the Fontana Community Coalition, the Morongo Basin Community Coalition, and the Partners for Innovative Communities Coalition. Coalition recruitment and growth were a major goal. Each coalition strives to bring community members and organizations together by utilizing media, policy, ordinances, community organization, and capacity-building to reduce and prevent substance use and misuse.Being a Responsible Driver:The CHP team participated in three DUI checkpoints this past fiscal year. During these checkpoints, the team distributed over 500 brochures and educated the public on responsible driving. Medication Drop Box InstallationThe CHP team celebrated the installation of two new medication drop boxes with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. One is located at the Ontario Police Station and the other at the Ontario Fire Department. These medication drop boxes are an important resource that allows community members to safely dispose of unused or expired prescription medication, reducing the risk of accidental or intentional misuse and prevention of overdoses.Community Resource Fair:The Fontana Community and Partners for Innovative Communities Coalitions worked together to host a Community Resource Fair in Fontana. Over 100 Fontana residents attended, and 20 local vendors offered information and community resources.Ensuring Elimination of Alcohol Access to Youth:The Fontana Community Coalition with their Drug-Free-Communities Youth Group conducted a local sticker shock campaign. Sticker shock campaigns are used to raise awareness for youth, community members, and retailers that purchasing alcohol for minors is illegal and can result in fines and/or jail time. The group secured partnerships with local alcohol retailers and placed over 300 stickers on alcoholic products.Environmental scans were also conducted in Upland and Ontario across 15 retailers. These scans are to ensure that alcohol retailers control how alcohol is advertised in their community.The 2023 National Innovative Communities Conference:The 2023 NIC Conference was held in June 2023 and attracted thousands of conference-goers at the Riverside Convention Center. The conference theme was POWER:: Dignity Equity Justice Be the Voice, Not an Echo! The opening day keynote speaker was renowned civil rights leader and attorney Benjamin Crump. Crump spoke about the importance of ensuring that all children have an equal and just society.NICC 2023 attendees also heard from other powerful community leaders at the breakout sessions during this two-day event. The keynote speaker for day two of the conference was Dr. Cid Pinedo who closed out the conference with a spirited message that reaffirmed the conference theme.

Community Health, Equity, and WellnessREACH OUT'S COMMUNITY HEALTH, EQUITY, AND WELLNESS (CHEW) TEAM FOCUSES ON COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMMING THAT WORKS WITH DEVELOPING COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS THROUGH HEALTHY CITY INITIATIVES. CHEW RANGES FROM OFFERING NUTRITION TRAINING, REVITALIZING GARDENS, ART MURALS, SAFETY INITIATIVES, YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION, SMALL BUSINESS PROMOTIONS, VACCINATION AND TESTING INFORMATION, RESOURCES, COMMUNITY EVENTS, AND MORE! CHEW'S MISSION IS TO ASPIRE TO BRING DIGNITY AND EQUITY TO OUR COMMUNITIES TO IMPROVE HEALTH OF ALL RESIDENTS.Health Equity Team:Reach Out's Health Equity Team (HET) provided an array of resources to the community such as vaccine promotion, COVID-19 education, environmental impacts, and mental health education. The HET team also hosted mobile vaccine clinics in collaboration with partners Community Health Systems Inc., Molina Healthcare, and Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP). These efforts resulted in a total community outreach of 553,510, 13,475 personal protective equipment (PPE) distributed, and 71,107 vaccine/testing referrals provided.Engagement in community activities has also been impactful. Reach Out's Jurupa Valley office hasbeen designated as an over-the-counter test pickup zone, expediting accessibility to testing resourcesfor the community.Healthy Jurupa Valley:Healthy Jurupa Valley (HJV) is a private-public partnership between the City of Jurupa Valley and Reach Out. HJV is part of a national healthy cities movement to improve the health and quality of life of all residents. HJV's work is accomplished through five action teams that focus on goals set by community members, for community members. The action teams include, Arts and Recreation, Community Prosperity, Safety and Readiness, Gardens and Markets, Jurupa Valley Family Resource Network.Healthy Jurupa Valley (HJV) celebrated 10 years of impact and work in Jurupa Valley in June 2023. A total of 80 community members and partners attended the HJV 10th Anniversary celebration. Special guests in attendance included representatives from the City of Jurupa Valley including guest speaker and former Jurupa Valley Mayor Laura Roughton. Another highlight of the event was the recognition of Jurupa Youth United's youngest member for his bravery and success in outreaching out to local businesses for supplies used to support the collaborative's initiatives.CalFresh Healthy Living:Reach Out's CalFresh team worked with two Jurupa Valley elementary schools West Riverside and Mission Bell to provide their 4th graders with nutrition education classes. This 7-week curriculum was taught to about 150 students across both schools. Topics covered included food portions, nutrients, balanced meals, and more. Students were engaged through both individual workbooks and class-wide activities. The CalFresh team also provided continued support to food pantries across target cities including Moreno Valley, Jurupa Valley, and Corona/Norco. Support for these pantries included healthy signage, pantry assessments, and direct education. At the Mission Village Senior Apartments food pantry, the team was able to provide a live cooking demonstration for residents based on food items available at their pantry. Additionally, they supported Trinity Baptist Food Pantry in Moreno Valley by sharing resources during their annual turkey distribution. CalFresh also worked with food pantries to support the implementation of policy, system and/or environmental changes in their spaces for a more equitable and client-centered environment to better serve their clients. The CalFresh team continues to support community engagement efforts across its target cities throughout Riverside County. They had a big presence sharing CalFresh resources at various city events including West Riverside Elementary Schools' seasonal festivals, senior center health fairs, and Jurupa Unified School District's Summer Meals Program. The team also successfully hosted a 'Rethink Your Drink' campaign.The Jurupa Valley Leadership Academy:The Jurupa Valley (JV) Leadership Academy Cohort 4 graduated 16 community members in June 2023. The JV Leadership Academy is a 10-week course offered to residents of Jurupa Valley. The goal of the academy is to build residents' capacity to connect community members to the resources and services they need. Jurupa Valley Leaders in Action In the past five years, Reach Out has been able to leverage over 6 million dollars of investment into the City of Jurupa Valley. Jurupa Valley Leaders in Action, as part of the Kaiser Nutrition Grant, were tasked with providing direct nutrition education to the residents of Jurupa Valley. The total number of residents reached was 726. Their outreach efforts included nutrition classes, both virtual and in-person, and person-to-person outreach as well as handouts of nutritional literature and healthy recipes were shared with these community members. Positive feedback was received from participants who said they thoroughly enjoyed the classes. Jurupa Youth United: Jurupa Youth United (JYU) is an advocate youth group led by the Safety and Readiness action team. Their focus is to strengthen the City of Jurupa Valley through meaningful campaigns, community service, and resource events. JYU's mission is to build healthy and equitable communities through purposeful social advocacy and community engagement. Representatives from the Safety and Readiness action team successfully recruited high school youth to participate in JYU. They connected hundreds of students to engage in topics including youth involvement and substance use. Four students were appointed as officers of JYU for the 2022-23 school year. These students were recognized during December's monthly gathering, and have proven vital in the steadily increasing membership of the JYU group. City Clean-Ups and Community Events: JYU has played an essential role in the beautification of Jurupa Valley. They have helped with several of Jurupa Valley's city and gardens and market clean-ups. They also supported Healthy Jurupa Valley's Earth Day Celebration, bringing information about safe drug disposal to the community. In July 2023, the HJV team hosted a 'Skate Thru Summer' which was well supported by community members, and also collaborated with Go Human highlighting the importance of road safety.Narcan Trainings and Opioid Awareness: The Safety and Readiness Team presented comprehensive training on the effects of opioids. The training highly emphasized the dangers of opioid misuse. This training was split into two sessions and upon completion, 18 JYU youths were fully trained and given a pack of Narcan.Community Prosperity Love Your Local Businesses: JYU co-hosted 'Love Your Local Businesses' with a Jurupa Valley local business, Opal Car Wash in spring 2023. This was the first of two events to encourage recognition of small businesses within the community to increase local shopping. Twelve local businesses provided resources and information at these events. Additionally, a mural was designed by a local artist to beautify and showcase Jurupa Valley and was revealed at the end of the event. The Safety and Readiness Action Team collaborated with Reach Out's CalFresh Team and JV elementary schools to participate in International Walk to School Day.Women's Empowerment Conference The Healthy Jurupa Valley team held its inaugural Women's Empowerment Conference, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente in September 2022. The conference which was entirely in Spanish attracted over 50 Jurupa Valley residents. Speakers included America Navejas, a PEI Coordinator; Anabel Castaneda, Co-Founder of EVOLVE Fitness; and Rosa Elena Sahagun, an attorney. Topics covered at this conference included mental health, nutrition, and self-empowerment. Small Business Summit & Expo: Reach Out held a Small Business Summit and Expo in November 2022. Attendees were able to connect with community organizations and business exhibit tables to learn more about their services. Guest speakers included Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, and Angel Buerra-Chagolla, owner and founder of La Vida Creative LLC. The event also included a panel of guest speakers who gave an inspiring insight into entrepreneurship including Jurupa Valley Chamber of Commerce President Tyler Byrne; Carmen Mireles and Alejandro Romero, owners of Health Mission and Nutrition; Fernando Perez, owner of Opal Carwash; and Ronnie Romo, owner of Pizza Plugg.