David R. Thomas

Background

About David R. Thomas

I have enjoyed multiple roles within Boston's Homeless Services Bureau for over 18 years. Most recently, as trainer and consultant to all departments in Trauma-Informed Care and liaison to our Trauma Support clinicians, and as clinical supervisor of the Behavioral Health (BH) Department, I have fostered intra-departmental and broad collateral work with Boston’s most vulnerable homeless citizens. I also develop a parallel process where clinically-trained leaders support staff in their vicarious trauma on the job. My years of service to the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) have included developing and overseeing its initial Housing First programs; helping develop the Front Door Triage department and its interaction with the inpatient behavioral health system; and collaborating with Harm Reduction staff in triaging emergencies and developing effective referral networks. The Homeless Bureau led, or participated in, three City-wide Housing First grants from SAMHSA between 2009 and 2020, all of which I guided as Program Director or PI. The best practice of Critical Time Intervention became a model of services for the Homeless Bureau and has helped our teams better assist newly housed clients with community-based supports. Another example of program development has been sustaining clinical internships, and I have managed a 29-year partnership with Boston University’s School of Social Work; this work also helped recruit interns to the Bureau from other schools' Master of Social Work programs in Boston.All of the above responsibilities have in common creating cross-departmental synergy with the goal of supporting the most vulnerable clients and staff. My duties also represent significant team-building and staff development, and I have helped create extensive protocols and trainings towards this end. I believe my vision for clinical program development within the Homeless Bureau would fit with any organization that values best practices including Trauma-Informed Care.In addition to doing program development, staff training and clinical supervision at BPHC and Bay Cove Human Services for over 30 years, I have been a psychiatric crisis clinician for 15. I value this work as effective care as well as enhancement of behavioral healthcare access. My experience with homeless services has taught me the importance of social determinants of health, and I value the opportunity to overcome these challenges within emergency settings.My education and teaching experience in art have helped me implement strengths-based social work and be a better field instructor.