Janel Preston

Janel Preston is a Utah native and a graduate of Utah State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Special Education. She spent seven years teaching in public schools before transitioning to early intervention. Currently, Janel serves as the lead teacher for the ABC–Autism services within the Up to Three Early Intervention Program. This program supports children who may be at risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), providing family-centered training in social engagement, communication, social imitation, and play.

Janel has completed specialized coursework in the Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters (PLAY) Project and is a certified PLAY Home Consultant. She also serves as Utah’s Act Early Ambassador for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” campaign. In this role, she collaborates with national, state, and local agencies to promote developmental monitoring and early identification practices. She works to embed milestone materials and the four steps of early identification into community programs and regularly presents at conferences and outreach events.

In addition, Janel is the Program Coordinator for Project ECHO® at the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice (IDRPP). Project ECHO is a guided practice and lifelong learning model that expands workforce capacity by promoting the application of best practices through virtual mentorship and collaborative learning.

Outside of her professional work, Janel looks forward to Utah’s warm summers, where she enjoys spending time outdoors boating and hiking.