The Rural Health Task Force was created because there was a growing concern for the health of children and families in the more remote areas of the two (2) Counties. Community agencies, School districts and health facilities were finding challenges in health early interventions, the management of chronic illnesses, such as asthma, specialty care access, transportation to health providers, etc.
The Board invited IE-CHI member agencies and partners especially those providing services in “Rural” areas to form a task force. The following agencies and representatives formed the core task force.
The Members were asked to research the following:
- Task Force Focus: To research and identify the challenges and gaps in health coverage/ services in the rural areas of Riverside and San Bernardino Counties with the goal of developing recommendations for potential solutions. The Task Force will complete a report after a one year study period to be shared with appropriate Inland Empire and other area stakeholders.
211
Website: https://inlandsocaluw.org/211
Operated in partnership between Inland SoCal 211+ and Inland SoCal United Way, the 3-digit number 211 connects over 200,000 community callers annually to expert, caring help for health and human services in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. 211 is the most comprehensive source of information about local resources and services. We are the boots on the ground, the local experts who make finding help easier, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Bear Valley Medical Center
Website: http://bearvalleycommunityhospital.com/
Contact: Joanne Mueller
The San Bernardino Mountains and the San Jacinto Mountain Regions in Riverside County are a mile above the rest. They are nestled among pine trees, accessed by winding roads, and separated by 85 miles and two hours of travel time. Each town has small, unincorporated communities surrounding them. They are remote areas dealing with similar logistics and challenges.
The San Bernardino Mountains have two hospitals, Bear Valley Community Hospital in Big Bear Lake, with its two clinics, the Family Health Center and the Rural Health Clinic in Big Bear City and Mountains Community Hospital with its Rural Health Clinics in Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs. The Mom and Dad Project, Telehealth, alternative pain management with the Prime Project, chiropractic care, and dentistry are some of the modalities offered to our residents.
The Idyllwild/Pine Cove residents currently have no local hospital nor government assisted clinics in the area. Specialty care and hospitalization require transport off the mountain to Hemet Valley or Menifee Valley Medical Centers. There are two medical groups in the area providing essential care for those requiring attention, Fern Creek Medical Center and the Idyllwild Health Center.
The mountains are challenging with their geographic locations in the ever-changing landscape of healthcare but small communities come together to help residents in need and offer assistance, a common thread uniting these distant communities in spirit and care.
CCAISR
Website: www.chaisr.org
The Community Health Association Inland Southern Region (Community Health Association) is a champion for community-based health centers and clinics located throughout Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. We provide services to support our diverse membership in providing access to care and quality health services for safety net communities. The Community Health Association currently supports 18 community health centers and clinics, representing 70 primary care clinical sites throughout Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. We exist to support our membership and community partners to ensure accessible, high quality, and cost-effective health services. We envision health care access for all and efficient use of health services and resources for the Inland Southern Region.
Desert Healthcare District & Foundation (DHCD)
Website: https://www.dhcd.org
The Desert Healthcare District & Foundation (DHCD) is a public agency and community-based nonprofit dedicated to improving the health and well-being of residents across the Coachella Valley. Established in 1948, the DHCD invests in programs, services, and strategic partnerships that expand access to healthcare, promote prevention and wellness, and address social determinants of health. The district provides grant funding, operates community health initiatives, and collaborates with local organizations, healthcare providers, and public agencies to respond to the region’s most pressing health needs. Its priorities include primary and preventive care, behavioral health, chronic disease management, health equity, and supporting underserved and vulnerable populations. Through its commitment to community engagement, data-driven decision-making, and long-term impact, the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation works to build a healthier, more equitable Coachella Valley for all residents.
Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP)
Website: https://www.iehp.org
IEHP provides low-income and working-class individuals and families with access to health services through the Medi-Cal program. IEHP is among the largest Medicaid health plans. As the largest non-profit Medicare-Medicaid plan in the country, IEHP also provides coverage to Dual-Eligible (Medicare/Medi-Cal) populations through the Dual Choice (DSNP) plan. IEHP also provides low-cost health coverage to San Bernardino and Riverside County residents in need of affordable healthcare through California’s Health Benefit Exchange (Covered California) with the IEHP Covered plan.
Molina Healthcare of California
Website: https://www.molinahealthcare.com
Molina Healthcare of California is a managed care health plan providing government-funded, quality health care to its members through Medi-Cal, Medicare, and Marketplace (Covered California) programs. Molina partners with a network of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers to ensure members receive high-quality care within their service areas.
Dedicated to advancing the health and well-being of its members, Molina not only offers access to preventative and routine care, but also services that can impact social determinants of health such as transportation, doula, behavioral health support, smoking cessation, housing referral and more. Molina provides many local services to families throughout San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
Activities include hosting events like annual holiday meal giveaways in partnership with community partners, supporting local school districts and their literacy, health education and wellness centers, donating to local diaper banks, and holding one the largest bra drives to benefit sexual violence survivors in Riverside County, in partnership with Riverside University Health System. Molina’s One Stop Help Center in Indio provides a multitude of local services to underserved communities. It’s all part of Molina’s commitment to improving health outcomes and connecting members to the resources and services they need to thrive.
Neighborhood Clinic
Website: www.nhcare.org
Contact: Rosa Sanchez
Quality Care. Neighborhood Healthcare has consistently provided high-quality care when compared to national standards. Services include medical care for all ages, prenatal care, family planning, dental and behavioral health services, health education, chiropractic care, and pharmacy and lab services. Founded in 1969 and incorporated in 1971, Neighborhood Healthcare is an award-winning organization that is known for excelling at its mission. The mission has remained the same over the years: to provide quality health care and promote wellness to everyone in our communities, focusing on those most in need regardless of the ability to pay. As a private, non-profit 501(C) (3) community health organization, we serve as a safety net for the community by providing 271,00 medical, dental and behavioral health visits to 67,000 people annually.
Symba Center
Website: https://www.symbacenter.org/
Symba Center is a faith-based nonprofit, formed in 2019, to provide healthcare to homeless persons using clinicians and medical students from Loma Linda Medical Center and Western University of Health Sciences. In 2023 the City of Victorville contracted Symba to provide healthcare including recuperative care from the City’s 170 bed low barrier Wellness Center using street medicine and a health clinic that reduced the city’s unhoused population by 57% between 2024-2025. Today Symba’s recuperative care program serves hospitals in the Barstow and Victor Valleys. Symba is currently contracted by the City of Fontana and the City of Ontario providing homeless services like what is being provided in Victorville.
San Bernardino County Medical Society (SBCMS)
Website: https://www.sbcms.org
The San Bernardino County Medical Society (SBCMS) serves as the professional organization representing physicians throughout the county, advocating for the practice of quality medicine, promoting the physician-patient relationship, and supporting public health. As one of the oldest medical societies in California, SBCMS plays a key role in connecting physicians with resources, professional development, and advocacy at the local, state, and national levels. SBCMS collaborates with the California Medical Association (CMA) to influence health policy, protect the integrity of the medical profession, and ensure that physicians have a voice in legislative matters affecting healthcare delivery.
In the context of rural health, SBCMS recognizes the unique challenges faced by medically underserved and geographically isolated communities throughout San Bernardino County. These areas often struggle with physician shortages, limited access to specialty care, transportation barriers, and higher rates of chronic illness. SBCMS actively works to address these disparities by supporting initiatives that increase healthcare access in rural regions, such as promoting physician recruitment and retention, advocating for telehealth expansion, and partnering with health systems, community clinics, and public agencies to bridge service gaps. SBCMS also engages in education and outreach efforts aimed at improving the health of rural populations.
Through community engagement, continuing medical education, and support of public health campaigns, the Society helps ensure that rural residents receive timely, high-quality care. By amplifying the voices of rural healthcare providers and promoting collaboration among stakeholders, SBCMS helps advance equitable healthcare solutions for all residents of San Bernardino County, regardless of geography.