Caitlin Thomas-Henkel

Caitlin brings over 20 years of experience in behavioral health and Medicaid to the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, applying her clinical and policy expertise to improve outcomes, drive positive systems change, and foster a culture of high-quality, person-centered care. Before joining the Meadows Institute, she worked as a consultant at national health care consulting firms, supporting states, counties, and providers in advancing integrated care, value-based health care, and crisis solutions for youth and adults with complex medical, behavioral health, and social needs. Caitlin previously served as Deputy Director of the Rhode Island Senate Policy Office, overseeing legislation on job-protected paid family leave, child welfare reform, criminal justice reform, and mental health parity. She has also served as a director of two community-based substance use prevention coalitions, designing and implementing nationally recognized citywide policies focused on emergency department diversion, systems, and environmental changes to prevent youth substance use and improve outcomes for youth and families.

In her Meadows Institute role, Caitlin leads the Children, Youth, and Families team with a focus on expanding and disseminating evidence-based practices and implementing policies to increase access to mental health services for children, youth, and families.

Caitlin graduated from the University of New Hampshire and earned her MSW in clinical and macro social work from Boston University. In her free time, she enjoys watching her kids’ sports (with her husband coaching them), sailing along the Jersey Shore, gardening, reading, and cooking.