Educators, counselors, social workers, district leaders, and community agencies gathered at the Buffalo Convention Center yesterday for the SMART Youth Mental Health Summit. The full-day event focused on improving mental health support for children and adolescents across Western New York.
The summit was organized through SMART, Supporting Mental Health by Advocating for Resources Together. The partnership includes Erie 1 BOCES, Erie 2 BOCES, Erie County, Live Well Erie, and the University at Buffalo School of Social Work. The goal was to strengthen collaboration among regional partners and share practical strategies that help schools respond to rising mental health needs.
E2CCB supported planning for the event and worked on program development, logistics, communications, and district outreach. The E2CCB Community Care Specialist team also attended to share school-based mental health resources and referral supports available to districts.
The summit opened with a keynote address by mental health educator Ross Szabo. His presentation focused on early intervention, open conversations with students, and daily practices that build emotional resilience.
Attendees participated in 19 breakout sessions across four learning tracks. Sessions focused on supporting families, embedding best practices in school settings, reducing barriers to mental health services, and integrating mental health strategies into school safety planning.
The event also featured the first Mental Health Impact Awards. The 2025 recipients were Ann Nowak, Dr. Annahita Ball, Mike Cornell, Marie Sly, and Kayya DeLeon.
The summit encouraged ongoing collaboration among districts and community agencies and highlighted the importance of shared responsibility in supporting student mental health. E2CCB will continue to work with partners across the region to strengthen training, resources, and services for students and families.
