Monica Johnson, M.A., LPC is the Director of the 988 & Behavioral Health Crisis Coordinating Office. Ms. Johnson has worked in the behavioral health field for 26 years and most recently served as the Interim Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). Prior to this role she served as the Division Director for the Division of Behavioral Health for eight years, the Community Mental Health Director for three years, and the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Director for one 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 included managing an extensive budget of over $600 million dollars, development of the strategic plans 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 high-profile change initiatives, chaired 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, and 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.