City creates new departments of Youth & Family Services, Health, Housing & Homelessness

In order to continue serving needs of families across Albuquerque, the City of Albuquerque is transforming the former Department of Family & Community Services into two departments: Youth & Family Services and Health, Housing & Homelessness. Homelessness and youth opportunity are two of the major priorities of the Keller Administration, and this reorganization will ensure these vital issues receive the focus and attention they deserve.

Health, Housing & Homelessness (HHH) is led by Director Carol Pierce. This new department will oversee homelessness programs, affordable housing, behavioral health, and health & social service centers.

With the Gateway Center ramping up services, the increase in affordable housing production, and continued record-setting levels of investment in supportive housing vouchers, the HHH team will ensure that vulnerable people have the resources they need to attain and sustain stable housing.

Carol Pierce has over 35 years of experience working in the health field in the public and private sectors in New Mexico. Carol has served as the director of Family and Community services since 2018, overseeing an expansion of funding and supportive services for Albuquerque’s most vulnerable. Prior to her work at the City she worked for UNM Adolescent Medicine and the New Mexico Department of Health.

Youth & Family Services, led by Director Katarina Sandoval, will oversee youth programs, community centers, educational initiatives, child and family development, the Area Agency on Aging, and the new Public Education Support division to coordinate closely with APS.

Before joining the City of Albuquerque, Kata served as the Deputy Secretary of Finance and Operations and Academic Engagement and Student Success at the New Mexico Public Education Department. Her background in education makes her a natural choice to helm the city’s efforts on early childhood education, out of school time programming that serves hundreds of children, and deepening the relationship with APS and the ABC Community School partnership.

Both departments will continue to work closely together to support the needs of Albuquerque families. This reorganization is budget neutral for FY24.