RHEANAH s. johnson

Rheanah S. Johnson is a Human Services Coordinator with the Somerset County Department of Human Services. She serves as the advisor to the Somerset County Youth Council, a group of students in grades 7-12 dedicated to enhancing their community through meaningful service projects. Additionally, she oversees the state-mandated Human Services Advisory Council, which identifies and addresses residents' human service needs. With a decade of experience in the human and social services fields, Rheanah is committed to empowering youth, improving access to essential resources, and supporting individuals and families through coordinated, ethical, and client-centered services. Her work focuses on education and collaboration, fostering partnerships across agencies to ensure programs are delivered with integrity, equity, and accountability.

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Rheanah has always had a passion for helping others, starting from her days of giving advice at the lunch table. She began her professional career as a case manager for women experiencing homelessness. Through proactive outreach, advocacy, and tailored support services, she has connected dozens of women and families to housing.

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With a strong understanding of public service systems, Rheanah recognizes the importance of trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches in human services. In her role, she collaborates closely with community partners, service providers, and internal teams to ensure effective service delivery.

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Rheanah is a certified Disaster Response Crisis Counselor (DRCC) and a lead responder for the Traumatic Loss Coalition. She holds certifications in both Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid, awarded by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. In December 2025, she completed the Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor training and earned her trainer certification.

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Currently, Rheanah serves as a commissioner for the Somerset County Commission on the Status of Women. In March 2023, she received the inaugural Rising Star Award at the Somerset County Outstanding Women Among Us Awards. She is an alumnus of the Somerset County Leadership program. Furthermore, in December 2025, she was recognized as one of Somerset County’s Business Partnerships 40 Under 40 honorees, which recognizes the top 40 professionals, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders under 40 who have excelled in their careers, families, and communities.

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Originally from Long Branch, New Jersey, Rheanah attended Long Branch High School before earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Rowan University. During her time at Rowan, she was highly active, serving as a Student Government Association representative and as an Undergraduate Coordinator of the Harley E. Flack Mentoring Program. She was also involved with the NAACP and worked as a Peer Referral and Orientation Staff member (PROS). Additionally, she was inducted into the Mortar Board Honor Society.

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In 2022, Rheanah obtained her Master of Public Administration degree with a concentration in Public and Nonprofit Performance Management from Rutgers University, School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA), maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She is also a member of the Pi Alpha Alpha (PAA) National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration.

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Rheanah believes that human services should be accessible, respectful, and responsive to the needs of the communities they serve. She approaches her work with professionalism, empathy, and a commitment to continuous learning, continually seeking ways to improve processes and outcomes within the systems she supports.

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When Rheanah is not busy empowering her community, she enjoys escape rooms and watching WWE. She is also revisiting her old hobby of experimenting with new baking recipes in the kitchen. She is a creative who enjoys planning events. Fun fact: Rheanah grew up across the street from the beach. Rheanah believes that balancing work with personal passions enriches her life and keeps her inspired.

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This website serves as a professional platform to showcase Rheanah's background, expertise, and commitment to public service. The content reflects her professional experiences and perspectives and does not represent the views of the Somerset County Department of Human Services.