ALAMOSA— The San Luis Valley Joint Interagency Oversight Group (SLV Joint IOG) recently honored 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 Oct. 9, is Jonathan Hazard of the Boys and Girls Club of the San Luis Valley and David Carson of Ortega Middle School (OMS). Hazard currently works as the Health Resource Navigator. Hazard was nominated by Cassidy Meehan, the Director for Trauma-Informed Services. Carson currently works as the OMS Apex Room Instructor. Carson was nominated by Honey Burkley, Nate Gonzalez and a student.  

“Jonny goes above-and-beyond for his clients. Jonny does an amazing job of serving client needs while coordinating care with school districts, local healthcare, and other community partners. Jonny has shown, time and again, his commitment to family voice and choice. Regardless of the needs, he will search for and find resources that will support the family and what they voice their needs as. For example, he worked between 3 community partners to help a Saguache family get a bike for their daughter’s birthday. Over the last year, Jonny has learned a lot about resource navigation and how to be person-centered. He is persistent with his clients and has an amazingly collaborative mindset when it comes to meeting family needs,” stated Cassidy Meehan. 

“David Carson is a name that I hear a lot. Mr. Carson this and Mr. Carson that, from students, families, his coworkers, and mine. He is the kind of guy that does not give up. That is a consistent theme I come across when hearing anything about David. He listens deeply to students. He supports families and encourages students to see beyond circumstances that they think may define them. David works one on one in an environment that is constantly changing. He is naturally trauma-informed and maintains an air of dignity and respect when working with youth experiencing difficulties. He is a safe landing space for children and their supportive adults. David Carson believes every kid belongs.” 

Here are some quotes from staff and students that tell the story of how Carson meets all the criteria for this award: 

Student: “He believes in kids, all kids, miss.” 

Student: “He is a really good dude.” 

Student: “Oh, I loved him. He was so nice, so good to us.” 

Student: “He was my favorite teacher, laid back, super chill, and understanding.” 

Student: “Mr. Carson is one of the coolest cats, a role model.” 

Student: “He always gave me a 2nd shot.” 

Staff: “Kids ask if they can walk over and see Mr. Carson on their break.” 

Staff: “Mr. Carson cares tremendously about kids.” 

Staff: “He has such a way with kids, the really hard to reach ones.” 

Staff: “I have seen Mr. Carson go to bat for kids.” 

Staff: “His demeanor is calm; students appreciate his approach.” 

Student: “He is one of the kindest teachers. He always was willing to help me when other teachers didn’t. He took the time with me. He made school easier for me just being him. He was available to help me, I could talk to him about anything.”  

Parent: “I don’t know what we would have done without Mr. Carson’s help.” 

Student: Mr. Carson is a great teacher, the best teacher I have ever had. You are not only a teacher to me; you are a friend. Thank you for all that you do. Please make sure to stay in touch with me.” 

Staff: David works hard, loves hard. He is safety. He is home to so many kids and families.” Written/Nominated by Honey Burkely, Nate Gonzalez and a student.  

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.