Youth Overdose / Opioid Task Force (YOOT) Quarterly Public Meeting

Building community solutions to youth overdose through collaboration, research, lived experience, and youth voices. The Youth Overdose/Opioid Task Force (YOOT) is a community coalition working to reduce youth overdose by addressing its root causes. We bring together young people, families, educators, healthcare providers, researchers, community organizations, and people with lived experience because we believe the best solutions are built together. Every quarterly meeting is an opportunity to learn, connect, and collaborate. We share updates on local initiatives and research, discuss emerging challenges, hear from community members, and identify practical next steps that move our work forward between meetings. YOOT is grounded in a simple belief: the people most affected by a problem should help shape the solutions. We intentionally center the voices of young people and individuals with lived experience alongside professional expertise, creating space where every participant contributes something valuable. Whether you're attending for the first time or have been part of YOOT from the beginning, you are welcome. What to Expect • Community updates and ongoing project highlights • Opportunities to connect with people across many sectors • Small-group conversations and collaborative problem-solving • Ways to get involved in research, education, advocacy, and community initiatives • Dinner and a welcoming, inclusive environment Who Should Attend? Everyone who cares about the well-being of young people is welcome, including: • Youth and young adults • Parents, caregivers, and family members • Educators and school staff • Healthcare and behavioral health professionals • Researchers and students • Community organizations • People with lived experience • Community members who simply want to help No prior experience or specialized knowledge is required. If you care about young people and want to be part of building a healthier, more connected community, there's a seat for you at the table. Why We Meet Quarterly Our meetings are more than updates. They are working sessions where relationships become partnerships, ideas become projects, and research is shaped by the knowledge and lived experience of the people most connected to the issue. Between meetings, members collaborate on community events, educational initiatives, research, and advocacy, then return to share what they've learned and decide together where to go next.