The Erie County Veterans Affairs office held a First Responders Summit on Wednesday, to better help them respond to veterans in crisis.

Many area veterans face health care and housing issues, so the goal is to build a coalition of support around veterans within first responders.

The summit was hosted by Joe Benacci, Director of Erie County Veterans Affairs. The summit focused on the following subjects:  

  • PACT ACT Information: Chanel Cook, MSOL 
  • Suicide Prevention: Brandon Wiley, MS, LPC
  • Substance Use Disorder: Dr. Semanscin-Doerr, PsyD 
  • Peer Support Program: Josh Atkinson, LPC
  • Homeless Care: Bill Reed, MSL