With more than 12 years of service at Mono County Behavioral Health (MCBH), Salvador Montanez currently serves as Behavioral Health Services Coordinator, where he supports children and families through individualized, wraparound care. His work centers on a highly collaborative model that prioritizes real-world outcomes — housing stability, recovery from substance use, and youth engagement.

Salvador’s approach is deeply informed by his background in chemical addiction studies and his early work with the juvenile justice system. He attended the Breining Institute and while there, spent time serving as a case manager and wraparound coordinator for MCBH. He worked primarily in the juvenile justice welfare system and began providing support to families and at-risk youth facing substance use disorders and other mental health challenges.

Throughout his career with MCBH, Salvador has focused on bridging systems — connecting courts, schools, hospitals, and tribal communities — to ensure that the most vulnerable individuals can access culturally responsive and effective behavioral health services.

By working to close the gaps between already established institutions and communities in need of behavioral health resources and assistance, Salvador’s work has a profound impact in Mono County and beyond. We honor his unwavering commitment to compassionate and community-centered care.

In addition to being a 2025 Steinberg Institute Champion, Salvador Montanez was also chosen as the recipient of the 2025 Richard Van Horn Award. Read more about the Richard Van Horn Award here.