Jamie Thomas

Child and adolescent behavioral health and human services executive with more than 20 years of experience developing, launching, managing, and improving programs for children, adolescents, foster children, and families with complex behavioral health and social service needs. Proven leader of multidisciplinary teams, managers, publicly funded services, grant initiatives, and programs built from concept through implementation.

Child & Adolescent ICU Unit Program Director - Aurora Behavioral Health Care - San Diego, CA

(2025-01)

• Develop and implement inpatient behavioral health programming for child and adolescent units.
• Lead, train, and support staff across multiple shifts while coordinating patient care and program operations.
• Advance crisis intervention, therapeutic programming, staff development, and continuous program improvement.

Operations Director - Center for Positive Changes - San Diego, CA

(2022-01 - 2025-01)

• Created and implemented Extra Mile Treatment Center, an innovative substance use treatment program serving foster children and adolescents.
• Wrote the successful California DHCS proposal for the Foster Youth Substance Use Disorder Evidence Based and Promising Practices Program.
• Developed the Program Statement and operating model; recruited, hired, and trained a multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Built community partnerships supporting coping skills, employment preparation, and job skills training.

Professional Therapeutic Foster Parent - San Diego Youth Services - San Diego, CA

(2020-01 - 2022-01)

• Provided intensive therapeutic foster care for children with significant trauma and behavioral health needs.
• Implemented individualized interventions in collaboration with multidisciplinary clinical teams and monitored progress.

Director of Services - San Diego Youth Services - San Diego, CA

(2017-01 - 2020-01)

• Directed six behavioral health, foster care, youth shelter, adoption support and transitional housing programs.
• Program portfolio included San Diego Storefront Youth Emergency Shelter, East County Behavioral Health Clinic, San Diego Adoption Support Services, Take Wing Transitional Housing, Counseling Cove Community Behavioral Health Clinic, and the San Diego Youth Services Foster Family Agency.
• Supervised Program Managers and more than 80 professional staff while overseeing service delivery, compliance, performance, and budgets exceeding $8 million.
• Led grant development efforts that secured six county, state, and federal contracts, including innovative funding for professional therapeutic foster parents, domestic violence services, and enhanced shelter services.
• Developed and launched The Ground Up Coffee Shop, a social enterprise staffed by young people in transitional housing.
• Partnered with county agencies, funders, clinicians, and community leaders to expand and strengthen services.

Pediatric Behavioral Health Educator - Vista Hill SmartCare Behavioral Health Consultation Services - San Diego, CA

(2012-01 - 2017-01)

• Educated and supported parents navigating child and adolescent behavioral health challenges.
• Trained and consulted with primary care providers on pediatric behavioral health concerns and family resources.
• Developed and delivered practical parenting education on behavior, emotional regulation, and family support.

Professional Foster Parent Recruiter - Walden Family Services - San Diego, CA

(2011-01 - 2012-01)

• Increased certification of new foster and adoptive families by approximately 400 percent over the prior year.
• Reduced recruiting department spending by more than 70 percent.
• Wrote a successful grant supporting innovative recruitment strategies and developed multimedia outreach campaigns.

Director of Business Development & Marketing - Alvarado Parkway Institute - San Diego, CA

(2002-01 - 2005-01)

• Drove hospital revenue growth from $8M to $12M through strategic outreach.
• Produced CME events, physician marketing, and regional partnership campaigns.

Program Coordinator, Child and Adolescent Unit - Aurora Behavioral Health Care

Developed and launched inpatient and day treatment programming, supervised staff, and coordinated care across shifts.

Lead Mental Health Counselor, Child and Adolescent Unit - Alvarado Parkway Institute

Supported inpatient treatment operations and therapeutic programming for children and adolescents with acute behavioral health needs.

Child Care Specialist - Bayview Hospital

Provided supervision, therapeutic activities, group interventions, and individualized support in a child and adolescent psychiatric setting.

Child Care Specialist - Children's Medical Center - Tulsa, Oklahoma

Provided therapeutic care and supervision for children in a medical and behavioral health environment.

Master of Science - Human Services - Family Studies and Strategies - Walden University (2015)

Bachelor of Science - Psychology - Oklahoma State University