Her Story
About Dr. Janice
Janice Bonsu serves as a program administrator in New York, NY, where she oversees operations for a 24/7 coordinated rapid response program addressing homelessness and child welfare needs. She supervises teams across multiple shifts, provides guidance to managers and directors, manages staffing, engages with stakeholders and agency partners, and steps in for her assistant commissioner as needed. Bonsu has worked in human services, social services, and child welfare since 2007, becoming a licensed social worker in 2013. Her expertise stems from early roles at ACS in child services, combined with her master's and doctoral education. Her doctoral dissertation explored applying child welfare principles to structural racism affecting unsheltered individuals, and she continues to contribute clinical insights on complex cases involving encampments and vulnerable populations. Bonsu values honesty and compassion in her work and advises aspiring professionals to pursue social work with a focus on helping others rather than personal gratification.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dr. Janice
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
If you want to do something, find someone who is doing exactly what you would like to be doing, and learn from them. A mentor is key.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I'm biased but I always tell people to go to social work school unless they don't like people. Remember you're there to help individuals, not to make yourself feel good or be a savior.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Opportunity to work with AI to standardize work while still needing people skills. Challenges include people thinking social work is just having a heart to help, but it requires many skills and knowledge of systems; also not enough social workers and mental health professionals.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and compassion.
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