New Partnership Targets Hunger Among California’s Inland Empire College Students
Collaboration between San Bernardino Community College District, Cal State San Bernardino, and County of San Bernardino to Facilitate CalFresh Benefits Recognized as a Regional Model by the California Student Aid Commission
SAN BERNARDINO, CA — On Friday, April 12, a major step was taken to fight hunger among college students. The San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD), California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB), and the County of San Bernardino came together to make it easier for students to get help from the CalFresh program. They signed a partnership agreement at the San Bernardino County Government Center Covington Chambers.
This partnership is aimed at assisting students who may struggle to afford food. San Bernardino Valley College, Crafton Hills College, and CSUSB will now be able to share some financial details from students’ FAFSA applications with San Bernardino County offices responsible for administering CalFresh. However, they will only do so with the student’s consent. This information will help the county determine if a student qualifies for CalFresh, a federally-funded program that assists low-income people each month to buy healthy food and groceries. The goal is to make it easier for students to access CalFresh benefits and proactively assist those in need, while also assessing its impact on their academic performance.
The signing ceremony featured remarks from several key figures, including San Bernardino County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., SBCCD Board Chair Dr. Stephanie Houston, SBCCD Chancellor Diana Z. Rodriguez, CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales, California Student Aid Commissioner Angel Rodriguez, and San Bernardino County CEO Luther Snoke, and County Interim Director of Transitional Assistance Department James LoCurto.
SBCCD Board Chair Dr. Stephanie Houston expressed gratitude toward County officials, emphasizing their active involvement: “Not only showing up, but stepping up,” to address student hunger and promote educational attainment in the region.
SBCCD Chancellor Rodriguez pointed out the bigger picture, saying, “Our local economy thrives on student success. By ensuring students have access to food, we’re investing in their educational performance, paving the way for a stronger future workforce.”
CSUSB President Morales added, “Hungry students cannot learn,” stated Morales. “This is precisely why CSUSB participates in the CalFresh Program. In order to build student success, we must support student well-being. This data-sharing program aims to help us reach even more of our eligible students and then ensure individuals do not fall off our radar.”
County Supervisor Joe Baca Jr., reflecting on his personal connection to the initiative, shared, “Having been a student at both Valley College and CSUSB, this partnership really hits home for me. With the economic pressures and high costs today, it’s crucial that we tackle the issue of student hunger head-on. Together with CSUSB and the San Bernardino Community College District, we’re focused on making sure hunger doesn’t stand in the way of our students’ education.”
A Model for Communities to Follow
Marlene Garcia, Executive Director of the California Student Aid Commission says that, “Students are experiencing hunger more than ever before — our estimates show nearly 181,000 college students in Riverside and San Bernardino counties are potentially facing hunger without the help of CalFresh. That is why this regional collaboration between SBCCD, CSUSB, and the County of San Bernardino is so vital. This partnership to help students access CalFresh benefits is not only critical and innovative, but represents a model for other communities to follow.”
The partnership prioritizes the confidentiality and security of students’ information, ensuring it is shared only with explicit consent from the students.
This collaborative effort originated from the “Combating College Student Hunger: Inland Empire Policy Roundtable” held at Crafton Hills College on April 21, 2023. The roundtable, which brought together policymakers, educational leaders, public agencies, and community organizations, set the stage for this partnership.
The launch at the San Bernardino County Government Center marks a year-long effort to directly confront and mitigate hunger among college students.
How can we help you?
- Crafton Hills College Basic Needs Center: https://www.craftonhills.edu/current-students/basic-needs/index.php
- San Bernardino Valley College — Basic Needs Services https://www.valleycollege.edu/current-students/student-life/basic_needs.php
- San Bernardino County — Apply to CalFresh: https://wp.sbcounty.gov/tad/programs/calfresh/
