Mental Health Programs

About CMHS

Lawrence Rickards, Ph.D
Branch Chief
Homeless Programs Branch

Lawrence Rickards, Ph.D., is currently the Chief of the Homeless Programs Branch of the Center for Mental Health Services. He has more than 40 years of experience in health and primary care, mental health and co-occurring disorders, child and adult services, policy and legislative affairs, and government service. His experience has been primarily with older adults and with individuals experiencing homelessness and co-occurring mental and substance use disorders.

As Branch Chief, Dr. Rickards is responsible for collaborating with the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services and the Director of the Division of Service and Systems Improvement to implement the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health goals and recommendations for transforming the mental health care system for persons with mental illnesses, persons with co-occurring substance abuse disorders, and persons who are homeless. He also is responsible for planning and supervising Branch activities to implement national service initiatives that promote the integration of mental health and substance abuse treatment, housing, and support services into comprehensive systems of care for persons with mental and substance abuse disorders and those who are homeless. In addition, Dr. Rickards directs Branch initiatives to promote collaboration among Federal agencies engaged in administering programs that serve persons with serious mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders who are homeless. He oversees the administration and monitoring of Center for Mental Health Services grants and contracts and the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homeless (PATH) formula grant program to States. Dr. Rickards also provides advice and guidance to Center and Division leadership on the range of complex issues related to evidence-based, exemplary, and promising approaches to the delivery of treatment and services to persons with mental illnesses and to those with co-occurring disorders who are homeless.

Prior to joining SAMHSA in 1992, Dr. Rickards was the Assistant Director of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Legislative Affairs Officer in the Public Interest Directorate of the American Psychological Association. He has a doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Maryland.

7/2005