Specific Pioneering Contributions
Gilbert A. Ramírez, MSW, LCSW, has dedicated his career to pioneering innovative social work interventions that address critical gaps in behavioral health, community -based interventions, crisis response, and violence prevention. With over two decades of experience as a practicing clinician, educator and leader, his work has been instrumental in shaping policies, programs, and systemic reforms that directly impact the lives of vulnerable populations. His career is distinguished by his expertise in gang intervention, social-emotional learning (SEL) frameworks, school-based behavioral health services, and the development of innovative programs to address homelessness, substance use, and public safety.
Ramírez’s work in gang intervention and school-based social work has had a national impact, particularly through his contributions to key publications on gang prevention strategies in educational settings. His expertise in trauma-informed interventions has helped shape policies and practices that directly improve outcomes for at-risk youth, creating sustainable frameworks that support social-emotional learning and school safety. His influence was further solidified through his testimony as a fact witness in Yazzie/Martinez v. State of New Mexico, a landmark case that exposed significant disparities in educational resources and outcomes for Hispanic and Native American students.
This pivotal lawsuit highlighted the state's failure to provide adequate support for economically disadvantaged students, English language learners, and students with disabilities, leading to a court mandate for comprehensive reforms to ensure equitable education for all students. His advocacy in this case helped drive policy changes that expanded access to mental health and social-emotional learning supports for students across New Mexico.
In his role as Deputy Director for Behavioral Health and Wellness Programs for the City of Albuquerque, Ramírez led several groundbreaking initiatives that embedded social work principles into public safety and crisis response systems. One of his most notable contributions is the Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS) Department, a first-of-its-kind alternative emergency response model that deploys behavioral health specialists, social workers, and community responders to non-violent 911 calls. This model has transformed how cities address behavioral health crises, moving away from a reliance on law enforcement and toward a public health-oriented approach to crisis intervention.
Ramírez also played a key role in the establishment of the Violence Intervention Program (VIP), a data-driven initiative aimed at reducing gun violence by connecting high-risk individuals to comprehensive support services. Through strategic partnerships with law enforcement, medical providers, and community organizations, VIP has successfully reduced violent incidents while promoting long-term healing for impacted communities. His work also led to the establishment via legislative testimony and advocacy to establish a state VIP fund so other municipalities could request funding to establish their own VIP programs.
One of his most significant contributions has been his leadership in the City of Albuquerque’s behavioral health initiatives, where he has driven systemic change through cross-sector collaboration. As the City’s Deputy Director for Behavioral Health and Wellness, he played a key role in the Bernalillo County Behavioral Health Working Group, which helped define the structure and investments of the County Behavioral Health Tax. His contributions advocated that these funds were directed toward sustainable, high-impact programs that address gaps in mental health, crisis intervention, and substance use services. This collaborative effort led to strategic investments in behavioral health services, including crisis stabilization units, supportive housing, and addiction recovery programs, establishing a comprehensive continuum of care for the community.
Ramírez’s strategic vision also drove two landmark innovations: the creation of the first Gateway recovery housing pallet community, providing a rapid-deployment, low-barrier housing solution for individuals transitioning out of detoxification, and the integration of a closed-loop referral platform, Unite Us, which united the City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County under a single coordinated system for social service referrals—ensuring more effective, accountable, and connected pathways to care.
In his most recent endeavor, Ramírez has overseen the development of New Mexico’s first medical sobering center, a vital harm-reduction initiative that provides an alternative to incarceration or emergency hospitalization for individuals experiencing acute intoxication. His leadership in securing federal, state, and county funding for this project has been instrumental in ensuring its successful implementation, marking another milestone in his pioneering efforts to create a comprehensive continuum of care for individuals struggling with substance use disorders.
Through his vision, innovation, and commitment to social justice, Ramírez has fundamentally transformed behavioral health systems in New Mexico and beyond. His contributions have not only redefined the role of social work in public policy and crisis intervention but have also created lasting impacts on the communities he has served.
Career Highlights
Ramírez has built a career that spans multiple sectors, including direct clinical practice, education, public policy, and community advocacy. After earning his Master’s in Social Work from New Mexico Highlands University in 2000, he spent 25 years as a practicing clinician in Albuquerque, specializing in school social work, gang intervention, and trauma-informed care. During this time, he became a nationally recognized expert in youth gang prevention, co-authoring three publications through Oxford University Press on gang interventions in school settings.
In addition to his clinical work, Ramírez dedicated sixteen years as an Adjunct Professor and Field Consultant at New Mexico Highlands University School of Social Work, where he taught graduate-level courses in School Social Work and Family Violence while mentoring BSW and MSW students in their practicums. His dedication to education and mentorship has shaped a new generation of social workers, many of whom continue to advance his legacy in school-based and community-based interventions.
In 2018, Mayor Tim Keller appointed Ramírez as Deputy Director for Behavioral Health and Wellness Programs for the City of Albuquerque, recognizing his expertise in public health-driven social work. In this role, he led the city’s most ambitious behavioral health initiatives, including the launch of Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS), the Violence Intervention Program (VIP), the Gateway medical sobering center, the Gateway recovery housing pallet community, and the Unite Us closed-loop referral platform. These programs have set new national standards for integrating social work into public safety, housing, and crisis intervention systems, demonstrating the effectiveness of evidence-based, trauma-informed, and harm-reduction approaches.
In 2024, Ramírez was appointed as the Director of the Health, Housing, and Homelessness Department for the City of Albuquerque, where he continues to advocate for comprehensive behavioral health solutions and equitable access to social services. His career has consistently been defined by innovation, leadership, and a deep commitment to social justice, making him a true pioneer in the field of social work.
Biographic Information
Gilbert A. Ramírez is a proud husband and father of two daughters. He was born the son of Mexican immigrant parents in Los Angeles, CA in 1975 but raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where his lived experiences shaped his deep commitment to social justice and advocacy. He is the product of the local public school system and earned his Master of Social Work (MSW) from New Mexico Highlands University in 2000, specializing in Children and Families, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Spanish from the University of New Mexico in 1998. His academic excellence and dedication to the field earned him a 4.0 GPA in his MSW program.
Throughout his career, Ramírez has maintained a commitment to community service and advocacy, recognizing the power of policy-driven social work in creating systemic change. His dedication to improving behavioral health access, particularly for marginalized and underserved populations, has shaped his professional trajectory and continues to drive his work in public service both from the micro to macro levels.
Significant Achievements and Awards
Over the years, Ramírez has received numerous accolades for his leadership in social work, community health, and public policy. He was a fellowship recipient in the William K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network Program (2013-2017), where he focused on developing strategies to improve behavioral health outcomes for children and families. He also participated in Leadership New Mexico’s Local Government Leadership Program (2023), further strengthening his impact in civic leadership.
Ramírez has been widely recognized for his contributions to public health and social work, including awards for his work in gang intervention, school social work, and behavioral health policy advocacy. His efforts have influenced local, state, and national conversations on crisis response, violence prevention, and mental health care, solidifying his status as a pioneering leader in the field of social work.
Significant Publications
Ramírez’s contributions to the field of social work are reflected in his numerous publications, which serve as essential resources for social workers, educators, and policymakers. His co-authored chapters in Oxford University Press publications on gang intervention remain widely referenced in school social work and violence prevention programs. Additionally, his policy work has resulted in several key reports that continue to guide social work practice in behavioral health, crisis intervention, and social-emotional learning. His most significant publications include:
• Ramírez, G. A. (2024). Recovery Housing: A Critical Community Asset on the Journey to Recovery. City of
Albuquerque Health, Housing & Homelessness Department. https://www.cabq.gov/health-housing-
homelessness/documents/recover-housing-study_final.pdf
• Ramírez, G. A. (2021). Sobering Center Feasibility Study. City of Albuquerque Family & Community Services
Department. https://www.cabq.gov/health-housing-homelessness/documents/sobering-center-feasibility-
study.pdf/view
• New Mexico Public Education Department (2021). Social Emotional Learning Framework. Contributing Member.
https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/SHSB_NM.SEL_.Framework.document.1.7.21-
002.pdf
• Elizalde, T. M., & Ramírez, G. A. (2012). Chapter 40: Effective Intervention with Gangs and Gang Members. The
School Services Sourcebook: A Guide for School-Based Professionals, 2nd Edition. Oxford University Press.
• Elizalde, T. M., & Ramírez, G. A. (2008). Chapter 12: Effective Intervention with Gangs and Gang Members. The
School Practitioner’s Concise Companion to Preventing Violence and Conflict. Oxford University Press.
• Elizalde, T. M., & Ramírez, G. A. (2006). Chapter 50: Effective Intervention with Gangs and Gang Members. The
School Services Sourcebook: A Guide for School-Based Professionals. Oxford University Press.
• Albuquerque Public Schools (2008). Threat Assessment - Individual Student Safety Plan User’s Guide –
Contributor to research, development, and editing committee.
file:///C:/Users/E40602/Documents/GR/THREAT%20ASSESSMENT%20Manual%20%20updated%20march2017%
20(1).pdf
These publications have played a critical role in shaping best practices for school-based and community-based interventions, ensuring that social workers have the tools and frameworks needed to effectively serve vulnerable populations.