Reaching, Engaging, and Supporting Transitional Age Youth in Primary Prevention
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. PT
Overview
Reaching and engaging Transitional Age Youth (TAY) in prevention efforts presents several challenges, including mistrust of institutions, lack of accessible resources, and cultural disconnection. This session will explore these barriers and provide strategies to overcome them. Key approaches include building trust through consistent and transparent communication, involving youth in program design and implementation, and creating safe and inclusive environments where youth feel valued and heard.
About the Presenters
Taahir Butler (he/him) is a California State Certified Peer Support Specialist and a Registered Substance Use Disorder Counselor dedicated to empowering individuals on their path to recovery. As a Youth Peer Mentor with Continuity Consulting Inc., Taahir works directly with high-risk youth, offering guidance, support, and lived experience to help them navigate complex challenges.
In addition to his frontline mentorship, Taahir is a trained Mindfulness- Based Substance Abuse Treatment (MBSAT) facilitator, integrating mindfulness practices into recovery work to foster resilience, emotional regulation, and long-term wellness. His approach blends compassion, structure, and real- world insight — making him a vital force in the healing and growth of the communities he serves.
Elliott Orrin Hinkle (they/them) is a skilled facilitator, trainer, and advisor focused on elevating lived expertise in systems that serve children, youth, and families. They are a graduate of Portland State University with a Bachelor of Science degree 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. As an advocate and professional they bring 10+ years’ experience on topics such as Child Welfare, Youth Mental Health, and the LGBTQ community through training, advising, and facilitating culture change efforts aimed at increasing positive experiences for youth impacted by systems. They have assisted and participated in child welfare and youth mental health research, they actively work to reduce barriers to access to care for LGBTQ youth and families and are trained in evidence-based peer coaching. Additionally, their skills include consultation and reviewing state’s Independent Living programs and National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) survey work as well as providing support in program and policy development. Elliott is the Principal and Founder of the consulting firm Unicorn Solutions LLC which seeks to create positive futures for youth and young adults impacted by systems such as Child Welfare and Youth Mental Health, particularly at the intersections of LGBTQ youth within these systems.