Vibrant Villages

Empowering Healthier Communities

We believe Vibrant Health begins in our own backyards.

That’s why IEHP Foundation created Vibrant Villages, to partner with local community leaders and neighbors to identify barriers and opportunities to cultivate healthy, connected and thriving communities. Because there is power in coming together to identify the problems —and build long-lasting solutions from within.

What is a Vibrant Village?

Through the Vibrant Villages projects in San Bernardino County, IEHP Foundation works alongside local leaders and organizations through a community-centered approach to improving health. It’s not just a program—it’s a partnership where residents, organizations and leaders come together to shape a healthier future. No matter the challenges, our communities can be strong and resilient.

Through this model, we aim to:

Build a shared vision.

Understand & address root causes of poor health.

Improve access to services by creating strong connections.

Develop policies & systems that encourage & sustain community health.

Leverage, align & strengthen existing resources.

Long Term Health Impact

Vibrant Villages is about lasting impact—whether that leads to a new physical space or to long-term systems and relationships that make living a healthy and thriving life possible for all. Vibrant Villages is IEHP Foundation’s commitment to improving health outcomes at the local level.

Each Vibrant Villages project aims to reduce poor health outcomes and improve chronic conditions, including:

Obesity
Diabetes
Hypertension
Heart Disease
Mental Illness

Every Vibrant Village project includes a steering committee made up of local residents and stakeholders who help shape the goals and strategies for their neighborhood. The idea is that the community will collectively establish priorities for each project, such as improving access to nutritious food and opportunities for physical activity, strengthening mental healthcare, expanding access to safe and affordable housing, and supporting economic opportunities through education and job training.

Ongoing community feedback and real-time data will help guide the planning, measure impact and design long-term solutions. This community-empowered initiative will invite leaders from all types of industries, including business, health, education, transportation and local community members to help co-design goals and strategies that can result in long-lasting health outcomes.

Vibrant Villages Pilot Cities

To identify pilot cities and trusted community agencies to spearhead the effort, IEHP Foundation conducted an in-depth feasibility study exploring several possible communities in 2024 in collaboration with Inland Empire Health Plan and San Bernardino County Department of Public Health. As a result of a combination of socioeconomic, social and environmental factors, and input from an array of community members, the following cities have been selected as the pilot locations for this collective impact strategy.

The City of Barstow

Why Barstow?

According to the data, 22.5% of Barstow residents live below the poverty line, 11.8% of households 39.8% of adults are obese, 34.8% of adults have high blood pressure, and 14.4% of adults have diabetes (CDC Places 2021). While there is high need, there is great opportunity because of the tight-knit community and strong community leaders. Barstow Community College is our key partner for this project and they are currently hiring an Executive Director for the project.

Learn More

The City of San Bernardino

Why San Bernardino?

The city of San Bernardino's residents have high rates of chronic illness including 14% of adults have diabetes and 39% of adults suffer from obesity. Despite the health disparities, many residents shared that there is a strong sense of hometown pride and a willingness and desire to improve the city. The project is in the initial phase with meetings and discussing with community leaders.

To learn more or to join the Vibrant Villages effort, contact:

Edgar Arreola, Community Engagement Specialist