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Advance Behavioral Health Prevention California (ABHPC)

  • About Us
    • What is ABHPC?
    • ABHPC in Action
    • Meet Our Team
    • Our Consultants
    • Emerging Professionals
    • Contact Us
  • Training and TA
    • Events Schedule
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Our Consultants

The ABHPC Technical Assistance and Training team works in coordination with a pool of experienced consultants to provide our services. Our subject-matter expert consultants are skilled at providing customized training, individualized consultation, and program facilitation.

Here are just some of our consultants’ key areas of prevention expertise:

  • Capacity Building 
  • Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) 
  • Environmental Prevention 
  • Authentic Community Engagement 
  • Coalition Leadership 
  • Community-Based Strategies 
  • Trauma & Substance Use Disorder Prevention 
  • Restorative & Trauma Responsive Practices 
  • Shared Risk & Protective Factors Approach 
  • Strategic Planning Framework (SPF) 
  • Evaluation and Outcomes in Primary Prevention
  • Youth & Young Adult Prevention

Amanda Montgomery

(she/her)

Amanda Montgomery is a highly experienced professional with a strong track record of over 20 years in community and system change. She received the NASADAD National Award for Innovative Substance Abuse and Mental Health Prevention Programs, Practices, and Policies. The award recognized her exceptional contribution to co-authoring three youth-driven prevention programs and school-based curricula. Applying Risk and Protective factor theory and research, she designs prevention and early intervention models and curricula that demonstrate organizational change and student impact. Amanda’s expertise spans various fields, including higher education, early childhood mental health services, substance use disorder prevention, K-12 schools, and child abuse and neglect prevention efforts. In her most recent work in higher education, Amanda focuses on system change to bridge equity gaps and bring California’s Community College’s Vision for Success into reality through the Guided Pathways framework. Her unwavering dedication to improving economic mobility and addressing social drivers of education highlights her passion for ensuring equitable opportunities and success for all.

    Angela Da Re

    (she/her)

    Angela Da Re, CCPS, ICPS, has over 25 years of experience in substance use disorder prevention and health promotion. As the CEO of Delta Prevention, she leads a team primarily centered on parent and family strategies, effecting positive changes in families nationwide.

    Her expertise includes Community Building, Data Collection, Health Equity, Community Crisis Care, and Non-Opioid Treatment Options. Angela is deeply dedicated to specialized groups such as rural communities, faith groups, veterans, youth, and families. She crafts strategies and interventions tailored to these groups’ distinct needs and works with communities to engage hard-to-reach sectors.

    Angela has been a consultant for various California communities for nearly two decades. Additionally, as a national consultant and trainer for CADCA, she contributes to key training projects, enhancing substance use disorder prevention outcomes in communities nationwide.

    Angela prioritizes community-driven solutions. Her unwavering commitment to promoting positive change through education and prevention underscores her influential role in the sector.

      Dr. Carroll Brown III

      (he/him)

      A passionate, results-driven leader with over 20 years of experience in youth development, Dr. Carroll Brown III has dedicated his career to empowering at-risk and system-impacted communities across Los Angeles. His work focuses on foster youth, addiction recovery, and culturally responsive mentorship for BIPOC youth.
       
      Board-certified and deeply committed to service, Dr. Brown is a professor at Tarzana Treatment Center College and California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where he prepares future mental health professionals and leads students in conversations around leadership, equity, and social change.

      An experienced facilitator and trainer, he partners with organizations to build trauma-informed teams and develop trainings focused on addiction, mental health, and the needs of system-involved youth. His approach blends analytical problem-solving, strategic management, and deep community engagement to create impactful, sustainable programs. 

      Dr. Brown is the visionary behind several mentorship initiatives, including The Fostering Resiliency Project, which provides healing-centered support to Black foster youth. His leadership has helped young people navigate critical life transitions, develop resilience, and thrive in adulthood. Rooted in his personal motto, “If it is to be, it’s up to me,” Dr. Brown leads with integrity, compassion, and a commitment to transformation. He specializes in building high-performing teams, nurturing community partnerships, and creating safe spaces where youth and families are affirmed, supported, and empowered to succeed.
        Charlie Seltzer

        Charlie Seltzer

        (he/him)

        Charlie Seltzer was the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) prevention coordinator for the Mendocino County Public Health Department for 10 years. When he retired from full time work, he became a consultant for CARS. Now, he gets to consult with people all across the state, assisting them to design and implement strategic plans and build capacity for their local prevention work. He enjoys offering SUD prevention trainings to the field and has led numerous Prevention-101 trainings, trainings on environmental prevention, the Strategic Prevention Framework, social determinants of health, conducting focus groups, designing logic models, and Diversity/Equity/Inclusion/Belonging issues for LGBTQ+ individuals, the disabled and rural populations. When he’s not working in the SUD prevention field, Charlie enjoys playing the piano, gardening, reading, cooking, hiking the beautiful hills of Mendocino County, and being home with his husband and their cat.

          Chelsea Keller-Elliott

          (she/her)

          Chelsea Keller-Elliott is a dedicated prevention strategist with a master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. Her professional journey spans education, clinical mental health services, and behavioral health research, with a specialized focus on Network-Informed Prevention and supporting youth and families. Currently serving as the Director of Training and Curriculum on the University of Rochester’s Network Health and Prevention team, Chelsea develops adaptive curriculum for diverse populations—from schools and faith communities to professional and military settings. Her expertise centers on critical areas including suicide and substance abuse prevention, bystander intervention, and mental health strategies for career success.  What distinguishes Chelsea’s approach is her genuine commitment to human connection. She finds profound meaning in learning from each group she works with, believing that enhancing social supports can create transformative change. Her work is driven by a belief in the power of compassionate, evidence-based prevention strategies that support individual and community well-being.

            Colber Prosper

            (he/him)

            Colber Prosper, M.S., is the CEO of Prosper & Partners International Consulting Firm, LLC and authored the book title, No Entry Examining the Powers that Undermine our Full Potential. Colber is an expert in various areas like education, organizational development, community public health and prevention. However, all of this work is centered around building community and creating inclusive spaces for all. He is passionate about spirituality, social justice, humans and South Florida sport teams.

              Dana Goodrow

              (she/her)

              Dana Goodrow has master’s degrees in social work and public health, as well as an undergraduate degree and eight years’ experience in journalism and writing. A former nonprofit director, she has served as a consultant to organizations around the state of California on projects ranging from strategic planning to evaluation, and all the steps in between. Dana has provided consulting on behalf of the Center for Applied Research Solutions’ Mentoring Technical Assistance Project, the Community Prevention Initiative, Grant Writing Specialists, and CalPartners. She was also a trained consultant for the “It’s Up To Me” Media campaign funded by the California Office of Family Planning.

                Don Carney

                (he/him)

                Don Carney has worked with youth and families for five decades. He started his career directing group homes and educational services for wards of the court. He is the Executive Director and founder of Youth Transforming Justice (YTJ), a youth driven social justice movement that is transforming punitive school discipline and juvenile justice systems into restorative trauma-informed, peer-driven solutions. In the past 21 years YTJ has diverted 2,350 youth from the juvenile justice system and provided alternatives to school suspension for thousands of students. To support youth referred to YTJ’s program Don developed a Substance Safety Skills Harm Reduction Training. The training provides a pragmatic approach for parents coping with a substance experimenting child and prepares teens with the skills to be each other’s first responders. He is chair of the Marin County Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission, he consults several federally funded Drug Free Community Collations, he is instructor for the Beyond Difference’s Professional Development Learning Community, a California Association of Youth Courts Board member, and he serves on the Office of Youth and Community Restoration’s Restorative Justice Advisory Committee. Don also trains schools, community organizations and probation departments to replicate YTJ’s successful restorative and trauma-responsive alternatives to school suspensions and juvenile justice involvement.

                  Elliott Orrin Hinkle

                  (they/them)

                  Elliott Orrin Hinkle, BS, PSS, Principal and Founder of Unicorn Solutions LLC, is a skilled speaker, facilitator, trainer, advisor, and national expert focused on elevating lived expertise in systems that serve children, youth, and families. They bring 12+ years lived and professional experience on topics such as child welfare, youth mental health, and the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Elliott graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelors of Science in Women, Gender, Sexuality, and Queer studies. Elliott has lived experience in the Wyoming Foster Care System as a young person but calls Oregon home. They currently serve as a Federal Lived Experience Expert Partner for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – Equity Technical Assistance Center (ETAC). Elliott has worked on the Children’s Bureau Capacity Building Center for States Project and Division X TA Project at ICF, the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) Reviews via JBS International, and Oregon Healthy Transitions Project at Portland State University, a SAMHSA grant. To learn more about and reach Elliott visit www.unicornsolutions.org.

                    Estefania Caldera-Alvarado

                    (she/her/ella)

                    Estefania Caldera-Alvarado has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and is a Prevention Program Director for a community-based organization. As a director, she has led a variety of youth, parent, and community member training on Alcohol and Other Drugs Prevention to increase knowledge and facilitate conversation around substances. Estefania believes that healthy communities are achieved through collaborative effort. She is passionate about empowering community members to take action in advocating for themselves, their families, and their communities. Through her work, she looks to influence the next generation to take their voice and wield it to make an impact in their community and beyond.

                      Dr. Ghia Kelly

                      (she/her)

                      Dr. Kelly is a transformational leader, facilitator, trainer, and national technical assistance provider with extensive experience in systems building, maternal and child health, intimate partner violence, racial equity, and mental health and wellness. She is a seasoned strategic change agent and systems thinker, recognized for successfully implementing and overseeing national, state-level, and place-based initiatives that strengthen cross-sector collaboration, advance equity and anti-racism, amplify community voice, and improve outcomes for children, families, and communities.

                        Guadalupe Ramos

                        (she/her)

                        Guadalupe Ramos earned a Doctoral degree in prevention science and a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology. Dr. Ramos’ work centers on mental health, substance use, stress and coping, and prevention and treatment interventions for minoritized communities. As a bicultural and bilingual scholar, Dr. Ramos is committed to improving the health of historically underserved populations. Dr. Ramos is also a strong advocate for participatory research methodologies that empower communities. On her free time, Dr. Ramos enjoys dancing and cooking.

                          Dr. James B. Golden

                          (he/him/his)

                          Dr. James B. Golden is the co-founder of TTC College of Substance Use Disorders Counseling and Chief Wellness Strategist at Golden Global Enterprises. He earned a Doctor of Psychology degree from Phillips Graduate University, a Master of Humanities from Tiffin University, a Master of Public Administration, and a Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Northridge. A recognized leader in his field, Dr. Golden has received numerous accolades, including an NAACP Image Award, a California State Senate Commendation for contributions to arts and letters, and the Visionary Award from the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) for groundbreaking work in addiction education.

                          With over 20 years of healthcare experience and 15 years in organizational development, Dr. Golden specializes in training design, executive coaching, systems improvement, strategic planning, and diversity initiatives. A passionate advocate for anti-racist policies in K-12, higher education, and organizational spaces, he also excels as an educator, teaching courses in addiction studies, professional development, writing, business strategy, and leadership. 
                           
                          An accomplished writer, Dr. Golden’s work has appeared in The Root, Vibe Magazine, Clutch Magazine, and LinkedIn, alongside four books of poetry. He is also the author of the Global Golden Mindset newsletter, where he inspires healthcare and education leaders with practical insights rooted in servant leadership.

                            Dr. Jeff McGee

                            (he/him)

                            Dr. Jeff McGee, a consultant, professor, and keynote speaker, stands out for his transformative leadership and organizational development approach. As a best-selling author of the nationally recognized book, “Reimagining Learning: The Power of Triple Loop Leadership” on Amazon, he is a thought leader who uses his Triple Loop leadership approach to understand cross-cultural and leadership competencies. His passion lies in equipping leaders with innovative strategies and approaches to lead tomorrow’s organizations.

                            Dr. McGee’s engaging, interactive style encourages leaders to adopt new ways of thinking and behaving and question established practices. With over a decade of experience, he has successfully addressed the challenges of cross-cultural complexities and leadership misconceptions through ongoing education, hands-on application, and influential policy development.

                            His academic credentials include a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College and a Doctorate in Education in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

                            Due to his exceptional leadership and influence, Dr. McGee has been honored by the Titan 100 program as one of the Top 100 CEOs and executive leaders in Phoenix for 2023 and 2024. Marquis Who’s Who has also acknowledged him as a pioneer in his Triple Loop Leadership contributions.

                              Dr. Kristyl Smith-Brown

                              (she/her)

                              Dr. Kristyl is a passionate advocate, educator, and dynamic speaker whose personal journey with sickle cell anemia informs her work in raising awareness about chronic illness, disability rights, and workplace accommodations. As someone who has navigated the challenges of living with a chronic condition, Dr. Kristyl brings a deeply personal and impactful perspective to her advocacy, empowering audiences to create inclusive spaces for individuals with disabilities.  
                               
                              Dr. Kristyl holds a Doctorate of Psychology in Organizational Management and Consulting and has over a decade of experience in nonprofit/organizational management. Dr. Kristyl specializes in creating centralized data systems, streamlining organizational processes, and fostering cohesive workflows that enhance employee experiences while staying true to an organization’s mission. As Dean of Operations at Tarzana Treatment Centers College, she led transformative initiatives that improved operational efficiency and cross-departmental collaboration.  
                               
                              Dr. Kristyl also serves as a professor, teaching the Psychology of Oppression, where she examines intersectionality and its impact on both personal and professional lives. Her thought-provoking curriculum encourages critical thinking about systems of power and their effects on marginalized communities.  
                               
                              A dynamic and engaging speaker, Dr. Kristyl offers valuable insights on topics including sickle cell advocacy, disability inclusion, organizational strategy, and leadership. Her unique blend of lived experience, academic expertise, and professional acumen inspires audiences to embrace equity, innovation, and collaboration.

                                Magdalena Escobedo-Steele

                                (she/her)

                                Rebecca “Maggie” Magdalena Escobedo-Steele is the founder of 7th Generation Warriors For Peace, an organization dedicated to working with communities, families, individuals, children and youth to prevent cycles of family violence, gang conflict, addiction and suicide by promoting cultural healing, positive activism and empowerment. For over 25 years, Maggie has implemented women’s leadership programs, youth and community prevention healing events, peacemaking in prison facilities, and wellness workshops throughout California and the United States. Maggie is recognized as a Distinguished American Indian Educator by the California Department of Education, a Peacemaker by the Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution, a Community Fellow for the California Wellness Foundation Violence Prevention Initiative, and an Ambassador for Peace Violence Prevention Coalition of Orange County. She has received the prestigious Chiefs award from Southern California Chief of Probation for her excellence and innovation in working to bring cultural healing and conflict resolution to countless individuals and families.

                                  Peter G. Schmidt

                                  (he/him)

                                  Peter G. Schmidt, Psy.D., is the former Director of the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs Counseling and Wellness Program where he oversaw the development and expansion of seven successful programs and had the honor to work with a dedicated and talented staff. Previously, Peter provided war-trauma counseling with veterans and family members and assessed, diagnosed and counseled incarcerated veterans during a psychology residency at McNeil Island Corrections Center. Peter dedicated the majority of his career in higher education as a twice, tenured counselor and psychology faculty, director of counseling, and dean. As cofounder of the Veterans Training Support Center, Peter provided numerous trainings on veteran-related topics to include Military Culture, Post-Traumatic Stress, Combat-related Brain Injury and Recovery, Dependable Strengths, and Promising Best Practices in Education and Employment for a variety of organizations. As a veteran of the USAF and Washington National Guard Peter is proud to have served those who served and their family members. 

                                    Sandy Logan

                                    (she/her)

                                    Sandy Logan is a seasoned Certified Prevention Specialist who has been working in the prevention field for over a decade. Her extensive experience in public policy, public health, social marketing, media advocacy, health education, community capacity/power building, and leadership development has equipped her with a wealth of knowledge and skills, which she has put to good use in her work as a prevention specialist. Sandy has worked closely with various communities to develop comprehensive strategies that build capacity and address the underlying causes of community drug problems. In her role as a prevention specialist, Sandy has been leading local efforts aimed at addressing prescription drug abuse/misuse. Specifically, she has been instrumental in establishing a broad base of community support that includes law enforcement, pharmacies, pharmacy students, convenience stores, schools, medical professionals, and community-based organizations. Sandy’s efforts have culminated in the development of public education campaigns, as well as the implementation of innovative prevention efforts, such as increasing the number of safe disposal sites, all aimed at addressing substance abuse
                                      Shari Egeland

                                      Shari Egeland

                                      (she/her)

                                      Shari Egeland, MFT, has a master’s degree in counseling and is currently the Associate Director and Research Specialist and Youth ATOD Prevention Counselor at Omni Youth Programs in Sacramento, CA. She has over 23 years training and teaching professionals, teens, young adults, parents, and families on Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs (ATOD) prevention and other topics, is certified Model Program Trainer in 6 ATOD Model Programs, and also leads and helps develop trainings for CARS. She has developed curriculums, presented and been a guest panelist as a prevention expert at over 50 summits and conferences and was the recipient of the Harold Cole Award in Prevention in 2021.

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                                        DHCS - Advance Behavioral Health Prevention California
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                                          • What is ABHPC?
                                          • ABHPC in Action
                                          • Meet Our Team
                                          • Our Consultants
                                          • Emerging Professionals
                                          • Contact Us
                                        • Training and TA
                                          • Events Schedule
                                          • Prevention Application Community of Practice
                                          • Online Training Courses
                                          • Digital Stories
                                          • Action Lab 2026
                                          • Request TTA
                                        • Prevention Pathways
                                          • Prevention Certification
                                          • Prevention Pathways Community of Practice
                                          • Monthly Bulletin
                                          • Mentorship Program
                                        • Resources
                                          • Prevention 101
                                          • Publications
                                          • New to Prevention
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