ALAMOSA—The San Luis Valley Joint Interagency Oversight Group (SLV Joint IOG) is pleased to honor partner agency staff members with the “Boots on the Ground” award in recognition of employees who exemplify the spirit of cross-systems collaboration.

The award recipients for June 2024 are Cristalray Dominguez and Jamie Dominguez of Shooting Stars Cultural and Leadership Center. Both are co-founders of center and have passion to restore the generational trauma of Alamosa, CO. They were nominated by Don Hanna of PALS (Positive Activities Lead to Success).

“Jamie and Cristal have been incredible community advocates for years.  Their hearts for the community, especially Southside residents and the Latino community is palpable.  Again and again, they have gone above and beyond to lift up youth and families who too often are overlooked or fall through the cracks.  Their sensitivity to the culture of the families and youth they are working with, their ability to share their lived experience, and their deep understanding of the needs of the community, make their efforts particularly valuable and effective. They both serve as shining lights for Alamosa.  We are incredibly lucky to have them and the work that they are doing,” from the nomination written by Don Hanna.

Established in 2008 and funded through Colorado House Bill 1451, the SLV Joint IOG currently includes Alamosa and Saguache Counties. Over twenty agencies participate including the 12th Judicial District, Probation Department, the Colorado Youth Detention Continuum program, Alamosa County Department of Human Services, Alamosa County Public Health Department, Alamosa School District, Center for Restorative Programs, Colorado Division of Youth Services, Colorado Health Partnerships, Crossroads’ Turning Points, San Luis Valley Early Childhood Council, San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group, San Luis Valley BOCES, Signal Behavioral Health Network, Health Colorado Inc., Boys and Girls Club of the San Luis Valley, Saguache County Department of Social Services, Saguache County Public Health Department, Center School District, Moffat Consolidated School District, Mountain Valley School District, Valley-Wide Health Systems Inc., La Puente Inc., Tu Casa, and Teri Sisneros, Family Representative for the SLV Joint IOG.

The goal of the SLV Joint IOG is to develop collaborative approaches for the provision of individualized, strength-based, family-centered, and culturally sensitive services to children, youth, and families. The SLV Joint IOG works to increase the quality and appropriateness of services while encouraging cost sharing and reducing service duplication and fragmentation.