San Bernardino

Introduction

San Bernardino County is the largest county in the contiguous United States by area, containing more land than each of nine states. The county is larger in area than the states of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Delaware combined. Located in the southeast of the state of California, the deserts and mountains of this vast county stretch from the outskirts of the densely populated Greater Los Angeles Area to the Nevada border and the Colorado River. As of 2005 the population was 1,932,000 (12th in the country but only 4th in the state), largely located in its more populated southwestern portions. The county seat is San Bernardino. Its southwestern portions (the more urbanized part of San Bernardino County) are considered to be part of the Inland Empire region of Southern California, a bi-county area.

In San Bernardino County the Preschool Services Department (PSD) has operated the Federal Head Start and the California State Department of Education Preschool programs in Head Start/State Preschool sites throughout San Bernardino County since the creation of both programs in 1965 and continues to be fully funded from federal and state sources. PSD has been a division of the Human Services department of San Bernardino County since 1999.

87 percent of the funding goes towards PSD’s primary program, Head Start, and incorporates educational, health, nutritional, and psychological services.  San Bernardino County Head Start and its 5 Delegate Agencies have a total of 40 Head Start Sites with 310 classes throughout San Bernardino County plus 4 Family Learning Centers. PSD employs a total of 687 employees supporting 40 Head Start Sites and Family Learning Centers.  More information and statistics on Head Start services can be found at the PSD website.  Other programs operated by this department include State Preschool, General Child Care and Child and Adult Care Food Programs.  PSD provides childcare services at 39 sites throughout the county.  PSD’s annual combined enrollment is 4,765 children in Head Start, State General Childcare, and Child Development classes.

Additionally, PSD provides child development and family services to children, ages 3 to 5 years, of low income and disadvantaged families.  Health Services are provided through collaboration efforts with other agencies such as the First 5 Dental Program, California Hawaii Elks Major Vision Project and the American Lung Association’s “Asthma Care for Preschool Children” program.