IEHP and California Community Colleges Launch Health Care Access Program for Students

IEHP and SBCCD Partner to Support student health and Well-being

A groundbreaking partnership between Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) and the San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD) aims to bolster the health and well-being of community college students in the inland Empire. The initiative focuses on enrolling eligible students in essential health and food assistance programs, ultimately fostering academic success and a stronger local economy.

Addressing Student Needs: A Holistic Approach

The collaborative effort directly addresses the challenges faced by economically disadvantaged students. With 93,000 of the over 164,750 students across twelve colleges in San Bernardino and Riverside counties identified as economically disadvantaged, access to healthcare and food security is paramount.

Key Goals of the Partnership

The partnership is structured around four core goals:

• Enroll all eligible students in Medi-Cal, covered California, and/or CalFresh.
• Strengthen students’ equitable access to health care and behavioral health services.
• strengthen campus infrastructure to provide Medi-Cal eligible services.
• Remove existing barriers to these services.

Blueprint for Success: San Bernardino Community College District

The SBCCD, encompassing San Bernardino Valley College and Crafton Hills College, serves as the initial blueprint for this program. With nearly eight out of ten students paying zero tuition fees through need-based financial aid, the district has already established resources like food pantries to combat student hunger. The new partnership builds upon this foundation. These resources provide students with access to clothing, housing assistance, and career opportunities – critical support structures for those facing economic hardship.

Voices of Leadership: A Common-Sense Investment

Dr. Diana Z. rodriguez, chancellor of the San Bernardino Community College District, emphasized the mutual benefits of the partnership and stated, “Our new partnership with inland Empire Health Plan is a common-sense investment that benefits everyone.when our students have the health care they need, they’re more likely to graduate, join the workforce, and give back to the community. That means healthier families, a stronger local economy, and a workforce ready to support our businesses. It’s about building a healthier, more vibrant Inland empire, one student at a time.”

“Having the stability of health care and food safety will aid in keeping students’ focus on their academic success rather than having to choose one or the other,” said Thomas Pham,IEHP’s vice president of strategy. “We hope the success of this partnership allows for more innovative thinking when it comes to strengthening the well-being and quality of life here in the I.E. and across California.”

Implementation and Expansion

IEHP and SBCCD are actively implementing strategies to integrate Medi-Cal and IEHP Covered into the college enrollment processes.This includes on-site registration events and additional support via IEHP Enrollment Services. The program is part of California Community Colleges’ Vision 2030 initiative.

IEHP’s Commitment to the Inland Empire

“By eliminating barriers to much-needed health care, we are continuing to make good on our promise to invest in the continuous well-being of the Inland Empire,” said IEHP Chief Executive Officer Jarrod McNaughton.

The Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), founded in 1996, serves over 1.5 million residents in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, offering Medicaid and IEHP DualChoice plans. They also offer Covered California plans. IEHP aims to create pathways to optimal health.

Looking Ahead: A Call to Action

This partnership between IEHP and SBCCD signifies a crucial step toward addressing the holistic needs of community college students. By ensuring access to healthcare, food assistance, and essential resources, this initiative empowers students to focus on their education and contribute to a thriving Inland Empire.To learn more about IEHP and its mission, visit iehp.org and discover how they are working to build healthier communities.

What other innovative approaches could be explored to further support the health and well-being of community college students beyond healthcare and food security?

Supporting Student Success: An Interview on IEHP and SBCCD’s well-being Partnership

The Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) and the San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD) have joined forces to address the health and well-being needs of community college students. We spoke with Anya Sharma, Director of student Support Services at SBCCD, about this exciting new initiative.

The Partnership: A Closer Look

Archyde: Anya, thanks for joining us. Can you explain the core motivation behind the IEHP and SBCCD partnership?

Anya Sharma: Absolutely. We recognized that many of our students face significant challenges related to access to healthcare and food security. These challenges impact their ability to focus on their studies and ultimately achieve their academic goals. This partnership with IEHP allows us to proactively address these needs and create a more supportive environment for our students’ success.Health and well-being are foundational.

Key Goals and Implementation

Archyde: The partnership outlines several key goals, including enrolling eligible students in programs like Medi-cal and CalFresh.How are you approaching this implementation?

Anya Sharma: We’re taking a multi-pronged approach. IEHP Enrollment Services will be conducting on-site registration events at our colleges within the san Bernardino Community College District. We are working diligently to integrate information about Medi-Cal and IEHP Covered California plans directly into our enrollment processes. The aim is to reduce barriers and make enrolling as seamless as possible. Building upon existing resources like the food pantries already available at San Bernardino Valley College and Crafton Hills College is also critical.

addressing Student Needs and barriers

Archyde: what are some of the biggest barriers students face when trying to access these crucial health and food assistance programs, and how does this partnership aim to remove them?

Anya Sharma: Frequently enough, it’s simply a lack of awareness about available resources and how to navigate the enrollment process. Some students may also feel overwhelmed or intimidated by the paperwork. By bringing enrollment services directly to the campuses and providing personalized support, we’re aiming to alleviate these concerns. The partnership strengthens equitable access to both health care and behavioral health services, which is essential for holistic student support. We are also working to improve campus infrastructure to provide Medi-Cal eligible services directly.

impact on the Inland Empire Community

Archyde: Dr. Diana Z. Rodriguez mentioned the positive impact on the local economy. How do you envision this partnership benefiting the broader Inland Empire community?

Anya Sharma: When students have their basic needs met, they’re more likely to graduate, enter the workforce, and contribute to the community. A healthy, educated workforce strengthens the local economy and makes the Inland Empire a more vibrant place to live and work. By investing in student well-being, we’re investing in the future of the region.

A Thought-Provoking Question

Archyde: This initiative is a significant step, but what other innovative approaches could be explored to further support the health and well-being of community college students beyond healthcare and food security? Share your thoughts in the comments below!