Krista Thomas

As a consultant and subject matter expert at the Center, Krista Thomas assists in the development of resources and works directly with states to support FFPSA implementation. In her work as a Policy Fellow at Chapin Hall (University of Chicago), Dr. Thomas leads blended teams of policy, practice, and research experts in efforts to build the capacity of state and local human service systems across the country to execute large-scale transformation initiatives and improve outcomes for children and families facing adversity. Leveraging opportunities like the federal Title IV-E Waiver Authority and the FFPSA legislation, Dr. Thomas partners with human service leaders to identify a set of priority outcomes, articulate a set of strategies to improve performance, execute their implementation, and monitor their effectiveness.

Dr. Thomas is a leader in Chapin Hall’s efforts to build and test its capacity building and systems change framework designed to accelerate and sustain change that benefits children and families involved with or at risk for involvement with the child welfare system. She has previously served as a Children and Families Program Specialist and Child Welfare Program Specialist at the Children’s Bureau.