Michael W. Johnson, MA, CAP profile photo

Michael W. Johnson, MA, CAP

Senior Managing Director of Behavioral Health

Tucson, AZ, UNITED STATES

A creative, solutions-oriented leader who is passionate about improving quality in behavioral healthcare.

Spotlight

Media

Publications

Documents

Photos

Michael Johnson at The National Council's Hill Day Michael Johnson presenting at the 2019 Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention executive committee meeting Michael Johnson moderates a town hall session titled: Behavioral Health: A National Perspectives Town Hall Michael Johnson leading an International Standards Advisory Committee to develop new standards for Medication Assisted Treatment Programs

Audio/Podcasts

Video

Image for vimeo videos on Interview with CARF Behavioral Health Managing Director Michael Johnson

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Biography

Experienced executive in behavioral healthcare, Michael joined CARF in 2013. He is a certified addictions professional and has more than 30 years of experience as a clinician, manager, and executive working in mental health, substance abuse, and intellectual disabilities. He was a CARF surveyor for 16 years. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal communications and a master’s degree in communications, both from the University of Central Florida.

Areas of Expertise

Office Based Opioid Treatment (OBOT)Certified Community Behavioral Health ClinicsMental Health (Severe Mental Illness) Practice and PolicySuicide PreventionSubstance Use DisordersAddictions CounsellingPerformance ManagementBehavioral Health StigmaAddictions Treatment

Accomplishments

Leaders Leading Leaders Award | professional

Inaugural award winner from the Marcus Buckingham Company

2012-08-01

Certified Addictions Professional | professional

Certified Addictions Professional, State of Florida

1991-06-01

Education

University of Central Florida

M.A., Communications

1998

University of Central Florida

B.A., Interpersonal Communications

1993

Media Appearances

CARF Accreditation: It's Not An Event, It's A Process

Simpiflyance  online

2023-07-14

Simplifyance™ had the privilege of speaking with Michael Johnson, Senior Managing Director of Behavioral Health for CARF International. We delved into the world of accreditation, discussing its immense value, the supportive process for organizations during surveys, and uncovering key best practices. CARF is renowned for its commitment to ensuring excellence in healthcare delivery and service outcomes. Michael shared valuable insights into the accreditation process and shed light on how CARF assists organizations in achieving survey success. Michael emphasized the importance of person-centered care, evidence-based practices, and fostering a culture of accountability and learning. These elements are crucial in driving positive outcomes and delivering compassionate, effective care to those in need.

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New CARF standards address variability of care in office-based opioid treatment settings

CARF International  online

2019-01-24

More than 170 advisory council participants and field review respondents provided feedback to create the first national best-practice framework. “Providers that attain this accreditation will be able to demonstrate to persons served, regulators, and payers that they offer a comprehensive array of services and supports designed to help persons served achieve recovery," says Michael Johnson, CARF’s managing director of behavioral health.

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Ill Treatment podcast

Ill Treatment  online

2018-12-20

Michael Johnson was interviewed for the podcast 'Ill Treatment." The mission of Ill Treatment is, "To continuously improve in informing the public, in collaboration with other prominent figures within the field, by evaluating drug and alcohol addiction treatment organizations and inspiring them to safely and effectively make an informed decision on where to obtain the highest quality of care."

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Suicide prevention standards address public health crisis

CARF International  online

2017-07-18

“In the United States, someone dies by suicide every 13 minutes. For veterans, that rate is roughly every 70 minutes,” says Michael Johnson, CARF’s managing director of Behavioral Health. “This is happening every hour, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. But we don’t talk about it; it doesn’t consume our news cycle. We are responding to a crisis. We need to strengthen and mainstream a response that can get traction on a broad scale.”

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CARF’s specialty standards for older adults address the coming demographic shift among persons served

CARF International  online

2015-04-16

"We recognize that the treatment of older adults with behavioral healthcare needs requires special attention," says Michael Johnson, CARF's managing director for behavioral health. "As people age, they sometimes experience behavioral healthcare needs for the first time in their lives and, although this population is often underserved now, the demographic shift in our population will demand organizations meet their needs. We want to make sure that the needs of this population are addressed through specialty standards that focus on care coordination, training, and attention to their unique family circumstances. Having an Older Adults designation should help both persons served and organizations match up with each other for the benefit of both."

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Baby Boomers Haven't Forgotten How to Get High

Psychology Today  

2014-06-18

Michael Johnson, M.A., C.A.P., Managing Director of the Behavioral Health Division at CARF International, stated, “We at CARF International are concerned about the growing substance misuse and addiction in the older population. We will be adding standards for providers to include drug education and assessments more thoroughly when serving older adults.”

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Event Appearances

Understanding the ASAM Level of Care Certification Program

Executive Summit on Addictions Treatment  Hilo, Hawaii

2023-05-07

Translating evidence to practice – Leveraging accreditation standards to promote best practices in suicide care

National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention executive committee meeting  Washington, DC

2019-03-21

Measurement-Based Care

Addictions Executive Industry Summitt  Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida

2018-03-05

Accreditation and Certification Programs For Medical Homes & Health Homes: Where Are We Now, & Where Are We Headed in the Future?

Open Minds  Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

The Future of Behavioral Healthcare, Keynote Address

Georgia Association of Community Service Boards  Chateau Elan, Georgia

2015-10-05