Julie Hynes, Susan McLaughlin, Carl Robertson. July 15, 2016.

1. in all of
our work
National conference on Problem Gambling | July 15, 2016
Julie Hynes | Carl Robertson | Susan McLaughlin

2. The complete slide deck
is posted at:
www.preventionlane.org/ncpg2016

3. Today’s Objectives
3
• Understand how prevention efforts are
practical across the continuum of care.
• Understand a nationally supported, common
understanding of prevention for gambling
disorders.
• Gain tools for integrating prevention in a
host of gambling programs.

5. 30,000 Feet Level:
The Continuum of Care
5Image source: samhsa.gov

6. Today
• Big picture of prevention on a national level
(Julie)
• Overview of integration
• Overview of integration examples
– Maryland (prevention with treatment)
– Connecticut (AOD with gambling prevention)
– Jaime Costello (tomorrow) will be talking about
youth problem gambling prevention integration

7. PROBLEM GAMBLINGPREVENTION
ON A NATIONALLEVEL
• Prevention Committee
development: from 2006 – 2016
• Common understanding
of prevention
• Overview of integration
NCPG Prevention Committee online:
www.ncpgprevention.org

8. Ground level.
8

9. Susan D. McLaughlin, M.P.A., C.P.S.
State of Ct, Dept. of Mental Health & Addiction Services
Problem Gambling Services
860-262-5983 susan.mclaughlin@ct.gov
www.ct.gov/problemgambling

10. ConnecticutStatewide
GamblingAwareness Model est.2013
Mission: Moving towards Gambling Informed
Prevention, Intervention & Treatment across the
Continuum of Care & across the Lifespan in the 5
Mental Health & Addiction Services Regions in Ct.

11. Region
1
Region
2
Region
3
Region
4
Region
5
RAC Leadership
Teams

12. 5 Regional
Problem GamblingAwareness Teams
Coordinated by designated Regional Action
Councils (RACs):
• Quarterly Forum Meetings: Representation from
Prevention, Treatment & Community
• Community Assessment/Capacity Building
• Cadre of Identified Trainees in PG Awareness
• Training/Promising Program Promotion
• Serves as Regional Advisory Group

13. State & Local Data Gathering
• Survey of program participants
• Evaluation of programs
• Focus Group Project
• Youth Interviews
• Parent Surveys
• Community Surveys

14. What We Learned
• Gambling not considered as topic of conversation;
• Minimal understanding gambling can be an addiction;
• Unaware help is available/how to access help;
• Disagree that gambling is beneficial to the community;
• Sometimes gambling is considered “the solution”
instead of “the problem”.

15. PGS Prevention Partners
• State Dept of Mental Health & Addiction Svs
• Ct Prevention Network/Ct Regional Action Councils (RACs)
• MH/SA TX: DIG-IN Initiative
• Faith Communities
• Recovery Communities (CCAR/AU)
• Regional Educational Service Centers (RESCS)
• Gambling Awareness for All Ct (G-FACT)
• Gaming Industry: Ct Partnership for Responsible Gambling
• Academia: Yale, UCONN, MXCC, SCCU

16. Select Promising Programs

17. Engaging the Community
• Congregational Assistance
Program/Community Assistance Program (CAP)
• Faith Community can be “line of first defense”
• Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission
Ambassador Program (APA)
• Engaging & honoring the “IP”; they know best

18. Infuse into Existing Prevention
• Youth Peer Leadership
• Gambling informed, leadership & training skills
• Financial Literacy
• Gambling infused w/budgeting & money
management

19. Practical Applications

20. Tenets of PG Awareness Education
• NOT anti-gambling!
• Move ATOD to ATODG.
• Create Awareness: of Gambling as a “Risky Behavior” similar
to Alcohol Use; of Gambling Attitudes & Behaviors.
• Create/Strengthen Protective Factors.
• Delay/Prevent onset of risky behaviors.
• Develop “good decision makers”.
• Involve Peer Voice.
• Increase Capacity Across the Lifespan.
• The Three Important Messages.

21. Three Important Messages
1. Gambling is not a risk-free activity.
2. If you choose to gamble, make sure it’s
legal.
3. Know how to keep the problem out of
gambling.
AdaptedfromSvendson/Wintersaaafad

22. Senior
Risk
Reduction
Wallet
Card

23. In Conclusion

24. Moving Forward
• Embed/infuse into ongoing prevention programs excellent
alternative to stand alone;
• Employ multiple prevention strategies across multiple target
populations;
• Include “Peer Voice”/Engagement across the lifespan.
• Skills Learned in PG Awareness are “Generalizable”&
“Transferable”.
• Data Dilemma: Start Collecting!
• Engage Partners/Network!
• Keep it Simple!!!

25. Carl Robertson, M.R.E., M.Div
Prevention Manager
Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling
667-214-2120
croberts@psych.umaryland.edu

26. Prevention Integration
Overview
To integrate Problem Gambling Prevention Strategies into the existing prevention programs
within Maryland in order to increase the capacity of local communities and community
providers in addressing the impact of gambling and problem gambling on individuals, families
and communities.

27. “Prevention is a proactive process that promotes the well-being of people and empowers an
individual, group, or community to create and reinforce healthy lifestyles and behaviors to
meet the challenges, events and transitions of life”
There are six strategies in the SAMHSA prevention model that apply to prevention of
gambling disorders:
1. Information Dissemination: Promotes awareness and knowledge on the extent
of problem gambling. Usually a one-way communication from source to recipient.
Examples include pamphlets, public service announcements, guest speakers and
billboards.
2. Education: Promotes awareness and knowledge with the added component of
two-way communication between source and recipient and can take place over
multiple points of impact, such as a multi-session course.
3. Alternative Activities: Promotes participation of select target populations (such
as those who are underage, as well as those exhibiting or recovering from
addictions) in activities that exclude alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, and
gambling in order to offer role model activities that are less risky, and
acknowledge and increase protective factors.
4. Environmental Policies: Establishes or changes written and unwritten
community standards, codes and attitudes; addresses policies and practices.
Examples include: setting and enforcing state laws, school gambling policies, and
NCAA rules on athletes gambling.
5. Community-Based Process: Enhance the ability of a select community to more
effectively provide prevention and treatment services for alcohol tobacco, other
drugs and gambling disorders. A process which evolves over time, includes
multiple identified participants and increases skills and abilities. Examples include: technical
assistance, trainings, and community coalitions.
6. Problem Identification and Referral: Aims at identification of high risk
individuals or populations who participate in risky activities or are perceived as
potentially engaging in same. Does not include any activity designed to screen or

28. Gambling Prevention Integration Strategy
1. Information Dissemination (one-way communication) e.g.
Center Brochures; Web campaigns; Fact Sheets (special populations)-Helpline – Health
Fairs
Super-Bowl; March Madness; Fantasy Sports;
2. Educations (two-way communication)e.g.
Education / Training sessions with community stakeholders (coalitions, providers,
advocates); Center’s Training Opportunities;
3. Alternate Activities (alternatives to Vegas Nights on Prom Night) e.g.
Help integrate gambling prevention into the other ATOD events – student volunteerism;
clean up a neighborhood; make something for others; support existing Youth Leadership
4. Environmental Policies (establishes or changes written or unwritten standards) e.g.
Promote Lottery Holiday Campaign; provide guidance to schools policies on gambling;
courts awareness
5. Community-Based Process (enhance resources to communities addressing any ATOD
issues by including Gambling in the discussion) e.g. Smart Choices in the schools and
community; participate in active Coalitions or in helping form coalitions
6. Problem Identification and Referral (identify high-risk populations and high-risk
behaviors) e.g.: awareness programs focused on special populations: seniors; college
students; culturally diverse groups; students. Issues of Domestic Violence and Gambling,
especially in holiday time – sporting events – daily fantasy ; Suicide and Gambling;
Males vs Females; Financial stress; mental health and SUD triggers

29. 30
Wrap up, Q&A

30. INTGRATION & involvement
• YOU are valuable! Join us: Saturday, 7:30 –
9:00 am in the main ballroom.
NCPG Prevention Committee online:
www.ncpgprevention.org

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For more info: