Michael Johnson has been changing lives his whole career and spent the last 15 years doing it with our IPA!

He shares his journey with us, including why he is committed to children and families and how he sees strength at every turn. Some of his proudest moments have been meeting others where they are with empathy and compassion and emphasizing human connection.

Turning Diagnoses into Superpowers

For most of my professional career, I have worked with individuals carrying heavy diagnoses—labels like ODD, ADHD, depression, PTSD and substance use disorders. From the beginning, I made it my mission to help them see that they are more than a diagnosis. I’ve spent my career helping them understand that their challenges can become their SUPERPOWERS—tools for resilience, growth and transformation.

A Career Path that was anything but Traditional

I began my professional path as a United States Army Communication Specialist and Army Paratrooper, where I developed the structure, discipline and quick-thinking instincts that I still rely on today—especially in moments of crisis. Those years in uniform taught me how to lead under pressure, stay grounded in chaos and connect with people from all walks of life. They also ignited in me a passion for service that naturally transitioned into my work with vulnerable youth.

The Many Roles that Led to ICAN’s IPA

Since then, I’ve held many roles: Behavioral Specialist, Chemical Dependency Inpatient Group Facilitator, Men’s Halfway House Residential Aide and a HIV/STD & Viral Hepatitis Harm Reduction Specialist. But it’s my work over the past 15 years with ICAN (previously Kids Oneida) that has truly defined and deepened my commitment to this field.

Through ICAN's IPA, I provide Psychosocial Rehabilitation full time through the CFTSS Program (Child Family Treatment and Support Services), where I support children and families facing emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges. This role has allowed me to serve with confidence—not just from my own lived and learned experiences—but from being part of an incredible team within an agency that values growth, collaboration and heart. I’ve been blessed to grow alongside this mission-driven organization, where every day we work to empower the people we serve.

Proud Moments and Victories are never to small to celebrate

Some of my proudest moments have been the quiet, persistent victories—like when a child who once told me they hated school walked across a graduation stage, diploma in hand. These are the moments that reaffirm why I do what I do. I’ve seen firsthand how focusing on strengths and accomplishments, no matter how small, helps children believe they can—and that belief builds momentum.

One of the most defining moments in my career came while serving on the ICAN Crisis Team. I was dispatched to a client’s home where a youth was in full-blown crisis, overwhelmed by the weight of his trauma. The situation was raw and urgent. But through trust, empathy and human connection, I was able to de-escalate the crisis and help him feel safe again. That moment was not just about resolving a crisis—it was about restoring dignity. And it reminded me exactly why I believe in ICAN’s mission: to empower individuals and families to achieve their full potential.

Children's Growth and Empowerment is the Real Motivation

My motivation has always come from the individuals themselves—from each challenge they face and each success they achieve. It’s a challenge to help students develop coping skills and progress through the stages of change, but it’s incredibly rewarding when they begin to show progress and feel good about themselves as they realize they truly can. Seeing a child begin to smile again, to participate, to feel safe in their own skin—those moments are everything. And when I support families in understanding and advocating for their children, the impact multiplies.

In every role I’ve held, my philosophy has remained the same: we don’t “fix” children—we uplift them. We remind them they’re not broken. And sometimes, we just sit beside them until they realize they’ve had the power all along.

This work has changed me. It’s humbled me. And it’s fueled a lifelong commitment to walk beside young people and families as they turn diagnoses into strengths—and challenges into victories. I credit my colleagues, inside and outside the ICAN agency, with helping me help those we meet.

Changing Lives Takes Time to Rest and Recharge

When I’m not working, I lean into creativity and curiosity. I enjoy using plant and insect identification apps to explore the outdoors and learn more about the natural world around me. I love riding my bike on the hottest summer days, playing basketball and—most importantly— when possible, spending time with my beautiful children, who live across the country and they encourage me to remember that nothing is possible without a TRUE spiritual connection! I love music from many genres like Classical, Michael Jackson, 3 Doors Down, Jazz, Nas, Old School Hip Hop, Nickelback and more!

I am equally grateful to my closest friends and family locally who support me beyond compare and redirect me when I’m being stubborn. While winter isn’t my favorite season, I’ve learned to use that time wisely by challenging my ADHD superpower and trying out new cooking recipes!!