Ambrose Baros has over 20 years of experience in the behavior health field and is independently licensed in both mental health and addiction counseling. Ambrose completed a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from New Mexico State University and went on to complete a Master’s degree in Social Work from New Mexico Highlands University. He is a lifelong resident of Northern New Mexico and is committed to supporting efforts that help to create positive change for individuals and communities.
Early on in his career Ambrose worked with families and youth. With a focus on strengthening resiliency in “at-risk” youth by providing direct services in establishing/enhancing coping skills, life and social skills development and developing community resources, such as gang intervention programs, youth teen centers, after school programs, interim alternative educational settings for the local school district and youth coalitions. During his experience working with Espanola Public School District (August 2003 – June 2010) Ambrose worked closely with the Special Education Director as a Parent Liaison supporting Students and Parent rights under IDEA, students with disabilities act. Educating school administrator and teacher on Individual Education Plans, MDT meetings and alternative educational programs for students with disabilities. In addition, Ambrose worked for Santa Maria El Mirador as a behavioral therapist supporting staff and participants in creating positive behavior support plans, staff training in crisis management, cultural sensitivity and positive behavior reinforcement strategies, while utilizing a person-centered trauma informed approach.
For the past 10-years, Ambrose was the Executive Director for Hoy Recovery Program, Inc. (Hoy Recovery), a nonprofit organization that was started in the Espanola Valley in 1974 to provide residential treatment services for alcoholism to community members, 18 years or older, in Rio Arriba and Northern Santa Fe County. Since then Hoy Recovery has evolved to provide substance abuse and mental health treatment services to clients across New Mexico in both a residential (AARTC) and outpatient setting. Offering clients core treatment components in residential, outpatient and intensive outpatient services which are Hoy Recovery’s cornerstones. These components combine trauma informed care with evidence based best practice and cultural healing to form a holistic treatment program.
Currently Ambrose is a consultant and clinical therapist working closely with State and Local officials to establish behavioral health services treating mental health and substance use disorders in both a residential and outpatient setting.
Along the way Ambrose has written policies and procedure in line with CARF and JAHCO Accreditation standard for many behavioral health services such as, medical detox, residential high intensity clinical services, transitional living and intensive outpatient.
When Ambrose is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, landscaping, the outdoors (camping, fishing, hiking), riding his motorcycle, reading, and listening to music.
