About Us

Our Vision

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Our Vision

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Our Vision

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Our Vision

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Our Vision

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Our Core Values

At SLVBHG our core values represent who we are and what we believe

Excellence Service
We believe people deserve excellence in the services we provide and utilize a holistic, preventative approach that supports people’s lives, strengthens families, nurtures our youth and empowers people.

Ethical Practices
San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group values integrity, honesty, responsibility, and people.  We ensure individuals receive the highest level of services through our application of ethical practices.

Activism
We stand on a legacy of activism that rests on a firm understanding that economic strength is the basis for self-determination. Therefore, we incorporate good business practices to ensure stability and continuity for our services.  We are united by profound respect for human dignity, by a desire to serve the underrepresented, the disenfranchised and those who suffer from mental distress.

Innovation
We are progressive pioneers that utilize change to find innovative methods of meeting the needs of people including making services accessible to people where they live.

Diversity
We welcome diversity in staff and services; belief in working as a family and modeling community.

Client Satisfaction Results Are In

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See results

How We Contribute to our Community

Introduction

Navigating the complexities of today's fast-paced world, especially in the realm of mental health and well-being, demands well-informed decisions grounded in data. With this principle at heart, we proudly introduce our new dashboard—a gateway to a wealth of information that underscores our unwavering commitment to enhancing lives and fostering a stronger, more joyful community. As you explore the current array of insights at your fingertips, keep an eye out for more updates to this dashboard coming soon - including client satisfaction data, wait time statistics, program outcomes, and more. This dynamic expansion will empower you further, enabling a deeper understanding of our progress and the evolving landscape of our initiatives.

Encountered Clients by Payer: 

Medicaid Capitation: 40,062
Commercial: 5,474
Self Pay: 5,650
State of CO: 1,378
CHP+: 534
Local Government: 44
Medicaid Other: 1,728
Medicare: 3,855
Total: 58,725

Clients Seen by County of Residence: 

Alamosa: 1,844
Conejos: 523
Costilla: 333
Mineral: 28
Rio Grande: 1,029
Saguache: 490
Out of Valley: 102
Total: 4,349

Client Testimonials

Improved Child Interaction

This Program [SafeCare Colorado] greatly improved my child interaction skills by teaching me to stay firm with my child and offer only two options instead of four or giving in . When we first started, my child would cuss at me in anger when things didn't go their way. Ramoncita suggested offering two options and staying firm because my child was looking for my reaction and expecting me to cave in. She was right. I consistently used these alternatives methods, and now, after six months, my child no longer cusses and actually likes the two-option method.

Additionally, the program helped understand more about healthcare, specifically the differences between an ER, urgent care, and home care situations. This knowledge was crucial when my child fell on concrete and hit his head. Because I remembered the steps, I knew it was an ER visit.

SafeCare Parent Graduate

An Awesome Case Manager
I've also learned to trust my fantastic case manager, Riley Ortega. We bond over diets, and she has been a great help in shopping for diet-friendly foods. I love getting in the car with Riley because her taste in music brings me such joy. She is an awesome case manager.

Alamosa Resident

SLVBHG Was A Lifesaver For Me!
As a teen ward of the state and young mom, their support helped me raise my son and improve my life. The staff was always there with guidance and encouragement. I'm forever grateful for their dedication to helping people like me. Thank you, SLVBHG, for saving my life.

Alamosa Resident

SLVBHG Client

From Rock Bottom To Radiant Transformation
"I defied the odds. Alcoholism, addiction, homelessness – I conquered them all. Remember, tough times are fleeting chapters in our remarkable stories. As Joseph Campbell said, 'Within every stumble lies our strength.' Let my journey inspire your comeback. Believe in your own resilience. Amidst life's storms, remember: your best chapter is yet to come."

SLVBHG Peer Specialist

Improved Child Interaction

This Program [SafeCare Colorado] greatly improved my child interaction skills by teaching me to stay firm with my child and offer only two options instead of four or giving in . When we first started, my child would cuss at me in anger when things didn't go their way. Ramoncita suggested offering two options and staying firm because my child was looking for my reaction and expecting me to cave in. She was right. I consistently used these alternatives methods, and now, after six months, my child no longer cusses and actually likes the two-option method.

Additionally, the program helped understand more about healthcare, specifically the differences between an ER, urgent care, and home care situations. This knowledge was crucial when my child fell on concrete and hit his head. Because I remembered the steps, I knew it was an ER visit.

SafeCare Parent Graduate

An Awesome Case Manager
I've also learned to trust my fantastic case manager, Riley Ortega. We bond over diets, and she has been a great help in shopping for diet-friendly foods. I love getting in the car with Riley because her taste in music brings me such joy. She is an awesome case manager.

Alamosa Resident

SLVBHG Was A Lifesaver For Me!
As a teen ward of the state and young mom, their support helped me raise my son and improve my life. The staff was always there with guidance and encouragement. I'm forever grateful for their dedication to helping people like me. Thank you, SLVBHG, for saving my life.

Alamosa Resident

SLVBHG Client

From Rock Bottom To Radiant Transformation
"I defied the odds. Alcoholism, addiction, homelessness – I conquered them all. Remember, tough times are fleeting chapters in our remarkable stories. As Joseph Campbell said, 'Within every stumble lies our strength.' Let my journey inspire your comeback. Believe in your own resilience. Amidst life's storms, remember: your best chapter is yet to come."

SLVBHG Peer Specialist

How it Works

Revenues by Payer (FY 2022-2023)

Medicaid: $11,320,709 
Third-Party Insurance: $699
Self-Pay: $94,334
Government Grants: $5,064,513
Contributions and Other Grants: $249,407
Other: $363,038
$15,675,735
Total Expenses (FY 2022-2023) 
$12,717,931
Program Expenses

About CMHCs

Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) are defined by the American Psychological Association (APA) as places where community-based activities are used to meet the behavioral health needs of individuals instead of institutional settings to promote mental well-being. In the 1960s, President John F. Kennedy presented a new approach to how society treated mental illness and individuals with behavioral health needs. The Community Mental Health Act of 1963 shifted the focus of mental health treatment from institutionalization to treatment where individuals lived. As a result, community-based mental health centers have been established throughout the country.

The idea behind this shift was that communities would be better equipped to provide services and programs that fit their unique needs. This led to the development of the community mental health center (CMHC) model of care. CMHCs are community-based facilities that offer mental health services as an alternative to hospitalization. There are currently around 2,700 CMHCs in operation across the United States.

The San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group (SLVBHG) is a CMHC supported by county and state funding programs, federal funding through programs like Medicaid, private insurance, cash payments, and grant opportunities. Like other CMHCs, our organization serves children and adults, chronically mentally ill individuals, and those discharged from an inpatient mental health facility.

Economic Impact

In the heart of the picturesque San Luis Valley, where vast stretches of stunning landscapes meet the open skies, a different kind of transformation has been taking place—one that's not just about the beauty of nature but about the well-being of its people. Meet the San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group (SLVBHG), a beacon of hope and healing nestled within this vibrant community. Let's delve into the captivating narrative of how SLVBHG, a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC), has become an economic engine of positive change in the San Luis Valley.

Picture this: It's the 1960s, a time of societal reawakening, and President John F. Kennedy takes a visionary step to reshape the approach to mental health care. The Community Mental Health Act of 1963 ushers in a new era, shifting the spotlight from impersonal institutionalization to compassionate community-based care. This pivotal moment paves the way for the birth of CMHCs—places where the magic of healing happens amidst the very fabric of society.
In this transformative spirit, SLVBHG emerges as a beacon of light in the San Luis Valley. It's not just a place; it's a promise. A promise that individuals facing mental health challenges can find solace, support, and a path to wellness right within their community. In tune with the wisdom of President Kennedy, SLVBHG embraces the belief that communities themselves hold the keys to crafting services that fit like a tailored glove—services as unique and diverse as the people they serve.

But how does this tie into the economy, you might wonder? Well, let's dive in. SLVBHG, like other CMHCs, is intricately woven into the economic tapestry of the San Luis Valley. Imagine the ripple effect as funds from county and state programs, federal sources like Medicaid, private insurance, cash payments, and grants flow into SLVBHG's coffers. These funds aren't just a monetary transaction; they're an investment in human capital in the future of the community.

Consider the countless lives touched by SLVBHG—the children and adults who find a safe haven amidst the storm, the chronically mentally ill individuals who discover a path to stability, and the ones transitioning from inpatient facilities who receive continuous care. These transformed lives don't just stay within the walls of SLVBHG; they walk back into the world with newfound purpose, contributing to the local workforce, engaging in community activities, and igniting the flames of progress.

And let's not forget the skilled professionals who call SLVBHG home—therapists, counselors, and healthcare workers dedicated to fostering healing and resilience. Their presence enhances the job market, injecting economic vitality into the region while simultaneously enriching the lives of those they serve.

As SLVBHG shines its beacon of hope, it does more than illuminate the path to mental well-being. It fuels a virtuous cycle of economic prosperity, where investment in mental health translates into stronger, more resilient individuals who, in turn, nurture a thriving community. This is the true essence of a Community Mental Health Center—a transformative force that not only heals but also uplifts, that not only cares for minds but also cultivates economic growth.

In the heart of the San Luis Valley, where mountains meet meadows, and stories intertwine, SLVBHG stands tall as a testament to the power of community-based care. It's a story of resilience, a story of transformation, a story of economic impact intricately woven into the fabric of the San Luis Valley's destiny.

Operating Reserve Policy

San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group (SLVBHG), a transparent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, upholds responsible financial stewardship through meticulous record-keeping of revenue earned and expenditures incurred. SLVBHG maintains a policy to hold an approximate 90-day operating cash reserve to ensure uninterrupted service delivery and meet the corresponding cash needs for personnel costs and general operational expenditures.

Transparency is paramount, evident in our annual independent auditor-produced 990s accessible to the public. With an unwavering focus on financial stability, SLVBHG maintains its mission-driven services and diligently serves the community. 

Executive Staff

Emilda Jack
Psychiatrist
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Emilda Jack
Psychiatrist
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Emilda Jack
Psychiatrist
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Emilda Jack
Psychiatrist
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Emilda Jack
Psychiatrist
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Victoria Romero
Chief Executive Director
Chief Executive Director
READ Bio
Kyle Turnwall
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Financial Officer
READ Bio
Jennifer Silva
Chief Clinical Officer
Chief Clinical Officer
READ Bio
Leova Villalobos
Chief Clinical Officer
Chief Clinical Officer
READ Bio
Toni Martin
Chief Human Resource Officer
Chief Human Resource Officer
READ Bio

Board of Directors

Marcella Garcia
Chairperson
Patrick Stanford
Treasurer
Laurie Rivera
Secretary
George Wilkinson
Jerry Gallegos
Louise Sanchez
Mark Manzanares
Olivia How

SLV BHG Licensed by:

WE ARE A NON PROFIT

HOW IT BENEFITS YOU

The San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group is a private non-profit. Whereas for-profit corporations exist to earn and distribute taxable business earnings to shareholders, a nonprofit corporation exists solely to provide programs and services that are of public benefit.  SLVBHG has a 501(c)(3) designation through the IRS. Once the IRS grants 501(c)(3) status, the organization is exempt from certain taxes and any donations to the charitable organization are tax-deductible. Many individuals and organizations prefer to make donations to 501(c)(3) private non-profits.

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