Ricardo M. Jasso was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a focus in Ethnic Studies and a Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling. Ricardo was the Executive Director of Nosotros, Inc., inhalant abuse prevention and treatment organization, in San Antonio, Texas, where he created The Barrio Inhalant Abuse Typology Model. Jasso also held the position of Executive Director at Luz Social Services, Inc. in Tucson, for eleven years. With vision and determination, he strategically anchored Luz as a viable prevention resource for youth, adults, and families in the community. Ricardo pioneered Luz’s cultural competency efforts and introduced the idea of formally recognizing and celebrating the Segundo de Febrero through an annual community luncheon that took place for ten years. Jasso has worked for Pinal Hispanic Council in the rural communities of Eloy, Coolidge, and Casa Grande, evaluating various prevention program initiatives.
Jasso founded and serves as President/CEO of Amistades, Inc. Ricardo is also the Project Director for the Amistades Substance Abuse Coalition, a community education and outreach project focused on the prevention of underage drinking and substance abuse.
Jasso has participated on many boards including the Chicano Alliance for Drug Abuse Programs Centro Cultural Aztlan, in San Antonio, Texas, where Segundo de Febrero was first founded in 1978. He is a past board member of the Sahuaro Girl Scout Council. Ricardo has also been a commissioner for the Pima County/Tucson Commission on Addiction, Treatment, and Prevention, an advisory board member for the Pima County Juvenile Department, and a committee member of Cinco de Mayo Con Orgullo. Additionally, he was a steering committee member of the SAMHSA CSAP National Hispanic/Latino Initiative.
Ricardo has worked as a regional consultant for HUD providing drug prevention, treatment, and organizational management for Native American tribes in Oklahoma. He has presented on the critical topic of cultural competence and conducted trainings throughout the United States and in Canada. Jasso and Dr. Israel Cuellar copyrighted the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican-Americans, the first of its kind in the country.
With a career spanning 30 years in the areas of substance abuse, mental health, cultural competence, community mobilization, and organizational development, Ricardo M. Jasso is recognized as an asset to the community on local, regional, and national levels.