Be a good neighbor to your returning solider...

Learn how your agency can help returning combat veterans and their families. Please forward to anyone who maybe interested!Printer friendly version of the conference information attached.Also visit the website below for more details._____________________________________________________________________CRISIS SERVICES CONFERENCE
2008The Impact of War: Community Mental Health Responds to Returning Combat Veterans
Date: March 5 & 6, 2008 8:30AM - 4:30PM (registration at 8:00AM)
Location: Statler Golden Ballroom, 107 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo NY
Cost: $150Conference fee includes: All materials, lunch both days, the Pre-Conference Reception at the Statler Rendezvous Room, Tuesday, March 4, 6PM - 9PM.
Registration for this conference is limited. We recommend that you register as soon as possible. For registration information, or for further details, go to www.pmhcp.com Email inquiries: pmhcp@mac.com_____________________________________________________________________Crisis

Services' Police/Mental Health Coordination Project presents an opportunity to enhance your agency's response to the needs of military families and combat veterans at our special event, Conference 2008. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq have lead to the deployment of thousands of military men and women, often for extended or multiple tours of duty. Deployment presents significant challenges to our soldiers, and to the families they leave behind. They face death, injury, disruption to relationships and careers, and emotional and financial hardships. For many vets, the fight for survival can continue for years after they return home. Yet, despite their sacrifice on our behalf, many do not find the help they need. Because community mental health agencies often serve veterans, we all know of the difficulties combat veterans face in adjusting to civilian life. But they shouldn't have to face these challenges alone. Instead, we can learn how to engage and support active duty soldiers, veterans and families by creating and delivering effective collaboration between the armed forces, the VA, community mental health, law enforcement, and courts. At this event you will:Learn the challenges combat veterans and their families face.Hear fist-hand accounts from our military men and women of their experiences in combat zones.Understand the role of the US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), and how we can work with them to improve the quality of life for veterans. Meet other professionals who share the common goal: to support those who have risked their lives in defense of our country. Create the path to a coordinated community response to the impact of war.

Featured Speakers:
Mental Health and Support ServicesDr. Terri Julian, Program Manager, Batavia VA PTSD ProgramsDelcey Pulvino, LMSW, LPN, CASAC, Medical Social Worker, Veteran's Healthcare Administration of Western New York. Houston Crum, Jr., ACSW, Team Leader, Buffalo Vet CenterDoug Fabian, Executive Director, Crisis ServicesThe Impact of War and Transition Heidi Squire Kraft, Ph.D, Deputy Coordinator, United States Navy Combat Stress Control Program and author of RULE NUMBER TWO: Lessons I Learned in a Combat Hospital.Lt. Colonel Terry McGuire, 354th Civil Affairs Brigade, US Army, and veteran of Operation Just Cause (Panama, 1989) and Operation Iraqi Freedom . William "Doc" Schmitz, Surgeon and Editor, New York State Overseas Veteran Newspaper, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Pat Welch, President, Vietnam Veterans of America Ch. 77The VAWilliam F. Feeley, MSW, FACHE, Deputy Under Secretary for Health Operations and Management, United States Department of Veteran Affairs. Dr. Stephen Lemons, Network Director, VA Healthcare Network Upstate New York (VISN2).Michael Finegan, Director, WNY VA Healthcare Systems.Colonel (Ret.) James D. McDonough, Jr., Director, New York State Division of Veterans' Affairs.Coordination of Courts, Law Enforcement, and Community Mental Health Honorable Robert T. Russell, Judge, Buffalo City Court, Veteran Diversion Track.Hank Pirowski, Buffalo City COURTS ProgramDavid Mann and Jack O'Connor, WNY Veterans Project