Sonya Johnson

Background

About Sonya Johnson

Sonya is the Lead Peer Coordinator of NAMI of Sarasota and Manatee Counties. In her role, she oversees the Parents for Parents Program (P4P) and works to expand Peer Support by identifying the gaps in the system, collaborating with stakeholders, and educating others on the value that peers bring. P4P meets parents where they’re at, in their moment of darkness, and walks alongside of them as they navigate the child and family well-being (or child welfare) system. Her position as a peer specialist, which she began in August of 2022, consists of actively contributing her skills, expertise, and knowledge to help and support parents and to elevate parent voice. Sonya’s personal experience with the child welfare system gave her a strong desire to help others. She is dedicated to sharing her lived expertise to affect change that will improve the well-being of individuals and families. Her direct service work with families has revealed to her opportunities for system improvement. She is currently a member of the Family Safety Alliance, as a bio-parent, where she uses her lived expertise to advocate for policy recommendations to improve or enhance the human services systems of care in Sarasota, Manatee, and Desoto counties. Sonya believes in keeping families together and that everyone is capable of change. She is passionate about elevating parent voice, creating safe spaces to share experiences and find support, advocating for family centered policies and practices, breaking generational cycles of trauma, and expanding peer support to all systems of care.