RGPP Key Leader Board merges with county IOG


MONTE VISTA—The Rio Grande Prevention Partners (RGPP) met for a lunch on Wednesday afternoon with the Rio Grande County Interagency Oversight Group (IOG), which brings together leaders from several different agencies dealing with prevention and substance abuse. Attendees included administration from Crossroads Turning Points, Monte Vista School District, Rio Grande County Public Health and Department of Social Services, San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group, Probation as well as representatives from municipal entities and government leaders in addition to many other advocates. The IOG and RGPP have merged, so following the IOG’s regular meetings for other business, they can meet with RGPP to follow the progress of the Communities that Care (CTC) process and help make decisions for the direction of local prevention efforts. “Even if we have small differences, we’re all focused on helping youth and prevention,” stated Emily Brown, Rio Grande County Public Health director.
Brown explained the key leaders typically meet quarterly to review the progress being made, assure the community board is meeting their requirements and help the community board and the various workgroups in selecting the best evidence-based prevention strategies and programs to minimize risk factors and build protective factors for youth within Rio Grande County.
Prevention Coordinator Nancy Molina thanked the board for their dedication to bettering the community and announced Rio Grande County’s recent successful completion of phase two of the Communities That Care process. However, Molina emphasized that more community assistance was needed in the next two phases, “Develop a Community Profile” and “Create a Plan” by increasing membership and participation on the six workgroups, specifically in the “Risk and Protective Factor Assessment,” “Community Outreach and Public Relations” and “Community Board Maintenance” groups, asking attendees if they or others they are aware of would be willing to provide assistance.
Monte Vista Schools Superintendant Robert Webb suggested Monica Dunbar, a new employee the district has hired for research, assessment and outreach, for the emotional and social health of the community and the effects on the district, as well as suggesting RGPP reach out to URGED because their processes are similar. Department of Social Services Director Jody Kern suggested reaching out to Kiwanis and Rotary or other community service organizations. Local pastor Gary Johnson volunteered to reach out to other faith-based organizations to emphasize how RGPP’s mission fits in with that of churches’ as well. City of Monte Vista Recreation Director Jaime Hurtado also volunteered to explore the possibility of including Communities that Care events and messaging with his recreation events, like banners at games. Several other present leaders volunteered for positions.
The “Risk and Protective Factor Assessment” workgroup is currently the most important, Molina emphasized, as they will review the data from the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey and look at gaps between the risk and protective factors and find priorities, “all of which are very important to get decisions made and work done” for the CTC program. The larger goals, Molina emphasized, aren’t individual programming but greater policy and environmental changes in Rio Grande County.
The key leaders also watched a presentation from youth council members Max Garcia and Isabela Atencio, who explained the projects they had worked on throughout the summer, including weekly farmers market booths, the “Through Their Eyes” photo gallery and a hike and barbecue. Garcia and Atencio explained the roles of the youth councils at Monte Vista and Del Norte high schools and how their work will fit into the greater CTC goals. Their presentation and efforts throughout their summer vacation were met with high praise from the key leaders present.
The next key leader meeting will take place in December, but any community member interested in assisting in local prevention efforts can contact Nancy Molina at [email protected]