Centering Community Voices: Collaborative Prevention Strategies with Pregnant People, Parents, and Caregivers
Thursday, April 23, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. PT
Part 2: Centering Community Voices: Collaborative Prevention Strategies with Parents and Caregivers of Children 5 and Older
The journey of building a family is unique for everyone. Substance use disorder (SUD) prevention strategies, including evidence-based programs (EBPs) frequently include elements that relate to or directly support the family domain. This session will explore comprehensive prevention practices and approaches within the family domain, including preventative support for pregnant and parenting people, best practices for early prevention during the early childhood years, and effective ways to engage parents, family members, caregivers, and guardians through the implementation of local prevention programming. Participants will learn about the importance of the family domain within a comprehensive SUD prevention strategic plan, as well as EBPs, engagement and communication strategies, and proactive approaches that center and elevate family voices.
About the Presenter
Amanda Montgomery (she/her) 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.
Chelsea Keller-Elliott (she/her) 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.