A Program of Crisis Services (http://www.crisisservices.org), the project is a gathering of professionals and community members dedicated to the improvement of the quality of life of those whose lives are affected by mental illness.
An opportunity to learn about the strengths and challenges of where we are today, and to work together to build a better future. The Police Mental Health Coordination Project participants meet and collaborate to develop a shared understanding of the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement officers, mental health service providers, consumer advocates, and community members.
For additional information, please contact David Mann, Coordinator, at pmhcproject@gmail.com, or by phone at (716)308-7147.
Sgt. Jacob Blaylock, seated left, one of four in his Guard unit to commit suicide, at the grave of Sgt. Brandon Wallace
Clinton Gill
Project members are participating in the Summit. 
Comments [0]
Houston Crum is the Team Leader of the Buffalo Vet Center, the VA’s specialized counseling program for returning war zone veterans and their families. His counseling career began in 1971 as a US Army counselor at a satellite clinic of Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He managed a drug and alcohol counseling program for the Department of the Army in Maryland before moving to Western New York in 1984. He became a Readjustment Counselor at the Vet Center in 1990 and the Team Leader in 2001. Since March 2003, he has worked extensively with military family support programs in the Western New York area.
Successful social, psychological, and physiological adjustment to military service in a war zone creates consequent readjustment challenges for returning war veterans. In no other area of life functioning is this readjustment difficulty more evident than relationships with family members (many of whom have themselves undergone notable changes during the deployment).
Comments [0]
Comments [0]
The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare Council of State Governments Justice Center, with support from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice, presented a webinar on 10.28.08. Tracie Bussi, Coordinator of the Outreach Program at Crisis Services, was kind enough to set up the event for members of the PMHCP. The Webinar was based on the materials in the publication Improving Responses to People with Mental Illnesses: The Essential Elements of a Specialized Law Enforcement-Based Program, a report supported by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice. Written by the Council of State Governments Justice Center and the Police Executive Research Forum, it highlights 10 key components for improving officers' encounters with individuals with mental illnesses. The slides from the presentation are available, and the audio portion will be released soon. Check here for an update.
Comments [0]
NBC's Today Show did a piece on Buffalo City Court's Veterans Diversion Part. Detective Jason Jaskula of the V.A. Police was interviewed in his role as one of the Court's volunteer veteran mentors. Jason has been a vital participant in the Police/Mental Health Coordination Project since the Project's Conference 2008. Judge Robert Russell and Hank Pirowski spoke at the Conference, and have since received national recognition, along with Jack O'Connor, who runs the volunteer Veteran Mentor Group for the Court.
Comments [0]
Comments [0]