Dawna Allington, MSW
Director of Peer Programs
Dawna Allington joined notMYkid in 2022 and leads our exciting statewide expansion of the [i]nspired Peer Program for youth and their families. Dawna oversees our dedicated team of certified Peer Support Specialists, family support programs, and contractors that integrate with our full continuum of care at our well-being campus and virtually.
Dawna received her master’s degree of social work from Arizona State University and comes with 17 years of experience in behavioral health. Dawna’s experience is varied, which gives her a unique range of knowledge and understanding of the diverse communities in Arizona. Dawna has worked in direct prevention, delivering community-based training on suicide prevention, mental health, and substance use as well as experience with grants administration. She also has years of experience working as a therapist with families and youth in the most vulnerable and at-risk communities in Arizona. She has worked with adults re-entering the community from prison, with victims and perpetrators of abuse, with parents, children, and with older adults in inpatient settings, outpatient clinics, and in-home services. Dawna believes that change lies in strategies that empower individuals, families and communities through awareness, compassion, and connection to resources. She has a passion for increasing understanding of the impact of trauma on communities, and strategies that connect people with one another to create networks of hope and healing.