Hosted by NAVFRW and Arlington County Police Department, the summit highlights life-saving partnerships and innovations across healthcare, law enforcement, and federal systems

On June 3, 2025, the National Association for Veteran and First Responder Wellness (NAVFRW), in partnership with Arlington County Police Department, hosted its inaugural Veteran and First Responder Wellness Summit in Washington, D.C. The event brought together national leaders to strengthen coordination and action around the wellness of veterans and first responders.

Senior officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Homeland Security, federal law enforcement agencies, state and local first responder organizations, and healthcare leaders participated. Their goal was clear: to share strategies, align systems, and build effective solutions that support those who serve.

“These communities have sacrificed for our safety and freedom. We owe them systems that work, and work together,” said Eric Golnick, Chairman of NAVFRW and U.S. Navy veteran. “The Summit was a catalyst for that collaboration. The conversations in this room will save lives.”

Panels and working sessions addressed suicide prevention, trauma-informed care, cross-agency partnerships, and gaps between federal systems and community-based services. Many attendees noted this was the first time senior VA officials, public safety leaders, and private-sector wellness innovators had gathered in one place to build a shared path forward.

NAVFRW extends gratitude to the sponsors who made the event possible: Huron Consulting Group, Acadia Healthcare, Optum Serve, ModifyHealth, Thriveworks, and GovContractPros. We also thank our official partner, PsychArmor, for its commitment to education and support for military and first responder communities.

NAVFRW also extends special thanks to Nestlé USA for hosting the event at their headquarters, providing a space where progress could take root.

The NAVFRW Summit marks the beginning of a coordinated national effort to strengthen care systems and save lives through collaboration, evidence-based strategies, and a shared commitment to those who serve.

For more information or to get involved, visit www.navfrw.org.

About NAVFRW

The National Association for Veteran and First Responder Wellness (NAVFRW) is a nonprofit coalition dedicated to improving the health, resilience, and reintegration of veterans and first responders. Through research, convenings, and strategic partnerships, NAVFRW drives systemic change to support those who serve before, during, and after the uniform.

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“These communities have sacrificed for our safety and freedom. We owe them systems that work, and work together,” said Eric Golnick, Chairman of NAVFRW and U.S. Navy veteran.