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    Monica Johnson, MA, LPC

    Managing Director
    Health Management Associates
    Stockbridge, Georgia

    Monica Johnson, MA, LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) is a Managing Director for Behavioral Health at Health Management Associates (HMA). In this role, Mrs. Johnson is responsible for leading and coordinating the behavioral health practice group strategic plan, providing subject matter expertise across a wide variety of behavioral healthcare topics, coaching a variety of consultants, and coordinating across the firm with other practice group areas.

    Prior to joining HMA, she served as the first national Director of the 988 & Behavioral Health Crisis Coordinating Office at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)/U.S. Health & Human Services Department (HHS). In this role, she was responsible for overseeing SAMHSA’s primary aspirations regarding the launch of the three-digit number, 988 and enhancing broader behavioral health crisis services.

    Mrs. Johnson has worked in the behavioral health field for over 25 years. Prior to the appointment at SAMHSA, she served as the Interim Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). Prior to this appointment by Governor Brian Kemp, she served in other key leadership roles as at DBHDD as the Division Director for Behavioral Health for 8 years, the Community Mental Health Director for 3 years, and the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Director for 1 year.

    Ms. Johnson’s key responsibilities during her tenure with DBHDD included leading a team of Executive Directors for the offices of Adult Mental Health, Addictive Diseases, Children, Young Adults & Families, Deaf Services, Recovery, Prevention & Federal Grants & Culture Competency, Field Operations & Crisis Coordination. Functions include but are not limited to managing an extensive budget of over $600 million dollars, development of the strategic plan for all community behavioral health programs, the development and oversight of policies and behavioral health practices, program development, and workforce development. Ms. Johnson is a seasoned executive leader with a proven track record of success. Over the last couple of decades Ms. Johnson has led the formation of several high-profile change initiatives, project management, chaired several collaborations, and served as a board member for a variety of governing boards

    Ms. Johnson has worked in community behavioral health in a variety of clinical, management and leadership roles, including program development and implementation of federally funded initiatives. Ms. Johnson has overseen and successfully implemented several programs funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention & Department of Education.

    Ms. Johnson earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology (minor in Communications) from Kennesaw State University and a graduate degree in Professional Counseling / Psychology at Argosy University. Ms. Johnson is a proud Alumnus of the Georgetown University Leadership Academy and a recipient of the Intensive Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Schizophrenia Certification at the Aaron T. Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Philadelphia. Ms. Johnson is also a proud fellow in the Milbank Memorial Fund Leadership Fellows Program.

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