Words That Work: Crafting Priority-Aligned and Impactful Substance Use Prevention Messages
April 30 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Overview:
In the crowded and often loud landscape of messaging and media, how do we ensure that substance use prevention communication strategies land with power and purpose? This session will explore how to craft impactful, community-centered messaging that resonates with various audiences and aligns with state and local priorities. Using the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) Information Dissemination strategy as a foundation, we’ll cover the dos and don’ts of prevention messaging, including what works, what doesn’t, and why. Participants will workshop real-life civic engagement examples, practice reframing language around substance use and health, and develop key messages that speak to cultural values, build trust, and inspire action. Whether you’re working on flyers, social media, or a town hall speech, you’ll leave with sharper tools and a stronger voice.
About the Presenters
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.
Lane Krumpos (she/her) has witnessed firsthand the intersection of mental health, juvenile justice, and education and understands the transformative impact that can occur when these systems operate collaboratively, inclusively, equitably, and remain trauma-informed. She is passionate about leading with these values, supporting community partners in transformative ways of being, and amplifying youth voices to promote leadership. Throughout her career, Lane has worked in various roles, including the juvenile prison system, policy reform, education, peer counseling, and crisis response mental health. She has created training programs to support schools and community organizations with healing-centered practices, staff wellness and resilience, suicide prevention, suicide intervention, crisis postvention response, and restorative justice practices.
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