| | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | Welcome Spring! And, all that it symbolizes. It is the season that represents renewal and restoration from the difficult days of the winter (or the two years of Global Pandemic stresses). Spring is the promise that everything can begin again. It is the season of growth, energy, and vitality. At the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling, we never lost that sense of energy and vitality for the work we do to help others. Still, there is a sense of fresh awakening in the air as we celebrate our return to working together several days a week at our office. We are celebrating partnerships and actually coming together with our partners, and we are celebrating new and exciting programs to support individuals, families, and communities. And, drum roll please… We are celebrating the Return to In-Person Conferences! We hope you’ll join us – In Person – at Focus on the Future 2022, in Vancouver, WA. Pre-conference sessions are still being offered in person AND virtually. So, if you’re still in restricted travel mode; prefer your training virtually; or just not yet ready to come out of our two-year hibernation – we’d still love to connect with you. So many people have shared that they are ready (more than ready!) to connect with colleagues in person and to come together to share, learn, and gather as a community. Please take a look at the highlights here (including some great, short videos with key presenters that will give you a better perspective on what they have to offer at Focus on the Future) and at the full information on our conference website for… Our first in-person conference since 2019! In keeping with ECPG’s duty of care and our responsibility as host, we have set safety guidelines for our Focus on the Future Conference (please see Precautions listed in this issue and on our website.) Looking forward to seeing you in Vancouver! Maureen Greeley
Executive Director | | | | | | | | | |  | April 25-28, 2022 The Heathman Lodge, Vancouver, WA ABOUT THE CONFERENCE Focus on the Future is the largest and longest-standing conference on problem gambling awareness in the Pacific Northwest. Launched in 2007, Focus on the Future brings together an incredible combination of compelling speakers – experts from across the country and around the world – and opportunities to network and learn from colleagues in the field. It is a place where you can exchange ideas, experiences, and knowledge to become a collective voice in raising awareness and developing programs and services that have the greatest positive impact. FOCUS ON THE FUTURE CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS Focus on the Future will provide valuable insights on the tools and resources available for effective treatment, prevention, financial therapy, cultural issues and community engagement, and recovery services. DON’T MISS THESE PRESENTATIONS! | | | | | | | | | | Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, internationally recognized leader on Resilience, Mental Health, and Suicide Prevention. Up on the High Wire: Promoting Resiliency During Tough Times | | | | RECOVERY TRACK A special track with sessions for Peer and Recovery Coaches includes an Introduction to Problem Gambling  for these professionals. Our future focus continues with Peering into the Future: Post Pandemic Trends in Recovery Coaching. Everyone is warmly welcome to learn more at Recovery Coaching Basics – for anyone wanting a greater understanding of the many paths to Recovery and how to support someone you love in Recovery. | | | | CULTURAL AWARENESS SESSIONS As part of our ongoing effort to help raise awareness of cultural needs, barriers, and mental health equity, we bring diverse views and expertise from leaders in the field. Focus on the Future sessions include: African Drumming for Therapy; Behavioral Health Stressors and Culturally Competent Approaches; Model Minority or Problem Gambler—Deconstructing Contradictory Asian American Personas; and TransVisible: Conscious Inclusion of Gender Diverse Professionals and Clients in Problem Gambling. | | | | SPORTS WAGERING AND THE WAY WE VIEW GAMBLING Sports Betting is now legal in Washington State and offered at several Tribal Casinos. How is this, and other “futuristic” changes that are actually here NOW, affecting the way we look at gambling? A few key sessions will help you navigate this new landscape. Increasing Acceptance of Gambling: Focus on Sports Betting as a Social Norm; The Future is Now: A Look at Cryptocurrency, Day Trading, and Sports Wagering in the 21st Century. | | | | ETHICS LIKE YOU’VE NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE! Everyone needs Ethics hours to meet licensing requirements, but everyone does NOT need a boring course that reiterates everything you’ve heard before! Join Jody Bechtold , as she takes you on an engaging journey through Ethics in the Digital Clinical World. You’re sure to learn tips and tools for navigating through ethical issues you may not have considered until the past two years required us all to think about them. | | | | PANDEMIC PRECAUTIONS And, thinking about new things that arrived on our doorsteps these past two years, we are still taking precautions, even as we look forward to celebrating WITH you In-Person at Focus on the Future. Everyone’s Health and Safety is paramount… Washington State lifted its indoor mask mandate for many indoor settings on March 12. Wearing a mask at Focus on the Future is a personal choice – and one we still strongly encourage. ECPG is still requiring Up-to-Date Vaccination Verification for presenters, attendees, exhibitors, staff, guests, or others attending Focus on the Future. This means verification of Full Vaccination and all Recommended COVID-19 vaccines (including booster doses where applicable). Attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination during the on-site registration process. Please remember to bring your proof of COVID-19 vaccination — and booster if applicable — with you (photos or scanned images of official vaccination documents allowed). We are committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment in which to learn. We will continue to monitor and update safety precautions for the Focus on the Future Conference and will, of course, reserve the right to modify these policies and procedures at any time given the rapidly changing nature of the current global pandemic. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding. | | | | CONFERENCE REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 18, 2022! | | | | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE! A limited number of Full scholarships are available for Washington State gambling treatment providers, students, professors, prevention specialists, and peer/recovery coaches. Scholarships include full registration fee, hotel stipend ($50 per night, up to three nights), and more. More information can be found on the Registration page. HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS The Heathman Lodge, an authentic Northwest Lodge in Vancouver, WA, is a favorite of our conference attendees. There is a warm, comfortable feeling throughout the Lodge that is accentuated by its unique collection of Northwest Art. The Heathman Lodge provides free parking, complimentary high-speed WiFi, on-site restaurant, and more. Request the Focus on the Future conference room rate of $129+ room tax per night by April 18, 2022. Reservations: 888.475.3100. www.heathmanlodge.com | | | | CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS/HOURS/PROBLEM GAMBLING COUNSELOR CERTIFICATION  The Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling is an Approved Provider of Continuing Education by The Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) and the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board (IGCCB). Our trainings have also been approved for continuing education by the Mental Health and Addictions Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO), the American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders (AAHCPAD), and the Canadian Problem Gambling Certification Board (CPGCB). The Focus on the Future Conference offers a total of 29 CEs. | | | | | | CONFERENCE PARTNERS  Oregon Council on Problem Gambling https://oregoncpg.org/ The Oregon Council on Problem Gambling was established in 1996 to promote the health of Oregonians by supporting efforts to minimize gambling-related harm through research, education, and advocacy. Oregon Health Authority https://www.oregon.gov/oha Helping people and communities achieve optimum physical, mental, and social well-being through partnerships, prevention, and access to quality, affordable health care is the mission of the Oregon Health Authority. Washington State Health Care Authority https://www.hca.wa.gov/ Division of Behavioral Health & Recovery Problem Gambling Program HCA’s Problem Gambling program provides treatment services free of charge to individuals and families in agencies throughout the state. They also fund training and prevention initiatives in collaboration with ECPG. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ECPG/NCPG JOINT MEMBERSHIP Not yet a member? SIGN UP HERE Take advantage of our ECPG/NCPG Joint Membership – join both and save! As an ECPG member, you’ll receive member discounted rates on all of our trainings and conferences – all of which offer Continuing Education Units from many associations and certification boards. | | | | | | | | Connections: Healthy Gambling and Gaming Podcast  S3E2: Equity in Gaming, looking at minority representation in video games, and what it means for youth who play them Find it on Anchor, or most places you normally get your podcasts. https://www.evergreencpg.org/listen/ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Interested in putting your prevention and community engagement skills to work in Washington communities? Enjoy working with a passionate and creative team of co-workers and community volunteers making a difference? ECPG is seeking a passionate, dynamic, and experienced advocate with solid public health, prevention, and training expertise. The Prevention and Community Engagement Specialist (Full-time) creates and provides information in an engaging and culturally sensitive manner to help groups and individuals better understand ECPG programs and services, the issues surrounding responsible and problem gambling and gaming, prevention, recovery, and opportunities for community involvement. Click here for full position description, responsibilities, and qualifications. Submit cover letter and resume by 5 p.m. (PT) on May 10, 2022, closing date. | | | | | | | | Each year in March, the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling, National Council on Problem Gambling, other NCPG affiliates, and our community partners highlight programs and services of note during Problem Gambling Awareness Month (#PGAM). Here’s a few things that happened during #PGAM2022 Governor’s Proclamation: Washington state Governor Jay Inslee proclaimed March 2022 as Washington Problem Gambling Awareness Month. View the proclamation PGAM News Release: Problem Gambling Awareness Shines Light on Hidden Addiction and Alarming Suicide Rates: The Many Ways Problem Gambling Awareness Month is Important to Public Health (March 4, 2022). Read the full article. Twitter Chat Tuesdays: ECPG facilitated live chats on Twitter every Tuesday in March, covering a variety of trending topics including women’s health, retirement, families, and sports betting. Get caught up on ECPG’s Twitter page. PGAM PSAs from the National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA) in Portuguese/Português, Spanish/Español, and English: We deeply thank our partners at NLBHA for integrating messages of awareness, help, and hope into their short videos in three different languages! Screening Day and Community Events: A big thank you to the hosts of a variety of PGAM community events, and hosting Gambling Disorder Screening Day locations on March 8 across the state, bringing awareness of problem gambling and access to help services to their communities. Free videos: Last year we released a tutorial video for gambling screens, screening day, and using the BBGS eScreener in partnership with the Cambridge Health Alliance Division on Addiction. This year we released two culturally focused videos to bring some practical guidance on culturally sensitive approaches in working with Hispanic/Latino and Native American communities. PGAM Campaign: In partnership with the Washington State Health Care Authority, ECPG’s PGAM and general problem gambling awareness campaign focusing on older adults and general population is running from March through the end of May, in ads, radio, and more.  | | | | | | | | | Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling
1821 4th Ave. E, | Olympia, Washington 98506
360-352-6133 | info@evergreencpg.org | | | | | | | | | |
