Focus on Veterans Conference 2011 - Erie VA Medical Center
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Erie VA Medical Center

 

Focus on Veterans Conference 2011

Conference Welcome Message

On behalf of the Erie VA Medical Center staff, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the first Focus on Veterans Conference. Today, we take a step forward to aid Veterans who are at risk of or currently involved in the criminal justice system. Our hope is that you leave this conference with a firm understanding of the unique issues Veterans face, the supportive services available to these Veterans and the role you play in helping Veterans recover.

Erie VA Medical Center provides health care to more than 21,000 Veterans. In 2010, almost 20 percent of those patients received behavioral health services. Erie VAMC’s Behavioral Health Clinic has grown significantly over the past few years to accommodate the increased need for mental health services. The Behavioral Health Clinic focuses on identifying mental health issues early on so we can provide treatment and education to assist the Veteran as they move toward recovery. Our goal is to prevent involvement with the criminal justice system and ultimately improve Veterans’ quality of life.

Erie VA Medical Center’s mission is to provide exceptional health care to the Veterans we serve. By attending this conference, you have already demonstrated your support and interest in helping us serve local Veterans and I sincerely thank you for that. We look forward to partnering with you as we work toward justice for Veterans.

Kathy Shaffer Mahood, MA, LPC
Chief, Behavioral Health
Erie VA Medical Center

 
Downloadable Conference Presentation Materials For More Information

Overview & Programs for Justice-Involved Veterans
Kathy Shaffer Mahood, MA, LPC — Chief, Behavioral Health 

Veterans Justice Outreach & Homelessness
Ebony McDonald, LSW, MBA — HCRV Specialist, Lebanon VAMC 

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury
Early Assessment of Trauma at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center
Anthony Mancini, PhD — Combat Stress Specialist
Kristi Sundin, CRNP — Commander (USN Retired)
Charles Perrotta, Jr., MD — VA Psychiatrist & Colonel, US Army Reserves 

De-escalation Techniques for Law Enforcement
Terry Yeager, MA, CACD, LPC — Erie VJO Coordinator 

Erie VAMC Behavioral Health Services
Jeffrey Rose, LCSW — Local Recovery Coordinator
Lisa Schwartz, LSW — Suicide Prevention Coordinator
Debra Semanscin-Doerr, PsyD — Substance Abuse Coordinator
Michael Wehrer, LCSW — Supervisor Homeless Care Team 

Contact Terry Yeager, MA, CACD, LPC
Erie VAMC Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinator
terry.yeager@va.gov 
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