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WHAT'S IN THIS ISSUE:

 
 

Perspective

Hope – Help – Health 

 

The New Year brings with it time to reflect and to look forward.  There are many exciting programs, services, awards, and opportunities to share with you in this issue of Insights.  They will speak for themselves.  For now, I’d like to take a moment to reflect and to Thank You for your great work, your partnership, and your passion and compassion. 

Our Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling has long placed Hope and Help at the forefront of our Mission and our work.  As I reflect on the past two years and look forward to this New Year, it seems appropriate to add Health to that list. 

Hope is the foundation of our work but, more importantly, of helping individuals, families, and communities affected by gambling addiction, or disorder, do their vital work – finding strength to meet challenges and understand that help can be a gift; finding the ability to accept comfort, joy, and peace in the belief that the future will be better.  

Help comes through serving others; helping to improve life situations; contributing and offering strength.  For everyone in our field who reaches out to touch someone in need – Thank You.  The help you offer makes such an important, positive difference in people’s lives. 

Health touches so many areas of our lives.  These past two years have reminded us how precious our own health, the health of our families and our global family truly is.  Health is all-encompassing from physical, mental, social, emotional, environmental, and spiritual health and well-being.  But, ultimately, health is what allows each person to express the full range of their unique and amazing potential.   

So, as we begin this New Year, all of us at ECPG wish for you a year filled with great Hope, the supportive Help of friends and family and community, and the ultimate Health that allows you to express – and live – your full potential.   

 

Maureen Greeley 
Executive Director 

 

Trainings and Events

 

Winter Quarterly – Virtual Workshop 
January 25-28, 2022 

Gambling Counselor Core Training
(30 CEs = 10 self-directed + 20 webinar) 

Advanced Gambling Counselor Training
(12 CEs) 

 

 
 

Advanced Professional Development:  
Gambling Disorder Trainer Certification Training
 

March 11, April 8, May 20, June 10 (live webinars) 

A virtual hybrid of self-directed, live webinar, and curriculum development 

 

 
 

Focus on the Future – Spring Conference 2022 
April 25-28, 2022 

The Heathman Lodge, Vancouver, WA  

 

 
 

Foundations in Gaming Disorder 
October 18-19 and 25-26 

Expanded training now offering 30 CE hours  

 

 
 
 

Winter Quarterly – January VIRTUAL Workshop

January 25-28, 2022, two tracks available: 

Advanced Gambling Counselor Training  

  • Earn up to 12 CE Credit Hours 

  • Assessing and Enhancing Readiness to Change: Motivational Interviewing 

  • Advanced Training in Evaluation and Treatment Planning 

  • What Do We Know About MH and SUD Comorbidity in Gambling Disorder? 

Gambling Counselor Core Training

  • 30 Total CE Hours includes: 

  • 10 hours self-directed (available now) 

  • 20 hours live webinar (Jan. 25-28) 

Who is the GCCT program for? 

  • Licensed clinicians seeking Gambling Counselor Certification * 

  • Anyone seeking a deep dive into understanding Gambling Disorder 

* For those seeking to become Washington State Certified Gambling Counselors, please familiarize yourself with the Certification requirements , including education and licensing requirements, to verify your eligibility and ability to complete the Certification program.   

Only those who qualify are eligible to complete the Gambling Counselor Certification program, but the Gambling Counselor Core Training is open to ALL who wish to develop an in-depth understanding of gambling, problem gambling, Gambling Disorder, and treatment services. Join us and meet others!  

Training Event Page 

 

 

Advanced Professional Development:  

Gambling Disorder Trainer Certification Training 

“A train-the-trainer program for a 30-hour Gambling Disorder Curriculum” 

 

Save-the-Dates: March 11, April 8, May 20, June 10 (live webinars) 

Times for all days: 9 am-1:30 pm PT / 10 am-2:30 pm MT / 11 am-3:30 pm CT / 12-4:30 pm ET   

This is a virtual hybrid course of 4 main live webinar training dates with pre/post self-directed content and learning assignments, totaling 28 CE hours. Clear as mud?  You’ll be spending at least 28 hours of your time, learning how to become a trainer of 30 hours-worth of a basic Gambling Disorder Counselor curriculum.  

Who is this train-the-trainer program for? 

  • Attendees must either be a Certified Gambling Counselor, or able to provide verification of completing an IGCCB-approved 30-hour basic training in Gambling Disorder Counseling.  

  • This train-the-trainer program provides full curriculum PPTs, facilitator tools, and learning activities to design your own 30-hour/4-day training agenda.  

  • Gain the skills to provide evidence-based training to new gambling treatment service providers.  

This training is approved by IGCCB for their new Gambling Disorder Clinical Trainer Certification. If you are interested in learning more about the Trainer Certification, visit IGCCB’s website.  

Sign up for training notifications

 

 

Focus on the Future returns April 25-28, 2022! 

Join us at The Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, WA, as we come together to learn from leaders in our field, share best practices, successes, and challenges, and honor our roles in supporting and helping people impacted by gambling and gaming disorders.   We plan to have this conference in-person, but as always, safety is top priority and any potential changes to venue or platform will be posted on the conference event page.   

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from… 

Dr. Carlo DiClemente

UMBC, co-creator of the Stages of Change and Transtheoretical Model 

 

Dr. Timothy Fong

Co-director of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program and faculty for the UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative

 

Dr. Darryl S. Inaba

Owner and President of CNS Productions Inc. and co-author of “Uppers, Downers, All-Arounders”

 
 

Get full details on registration, pricing, scholarships, hotel accommodations, conference agenda, partners, and sponsors on the conference event page.  

EVENT PAGE 

 

Foundations in Gaming Disorder – Core is now 30 hours! 

Save-the-dates: October 18-19 and 25-26, 2022 

The Foundations in Gaming Disorder – Core training is going through a growth phase from 15 to 30 CE hours of content from leaders in the field to offer full certification.  Development is still under way, but great things are coming!   

Sign up for training notifications 

 

FULL TRAINING SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

 

 

Training/Professional Development Scholarships are available for Washington State licensed counselors, prevention specialists, peer/recovery coaches, and undergraduate/graduate students or professors/counselors in accredited Washington State college and university behavioral health, addictions, and counseling programs.  Scholarships include full registration fees and more.  Thank you to the Washington State Healthcare Authority for support of these professional development scholarships.     

Click here for more information and to apply. 

 

BE A SPONSOR

 

Interested in supporting high-quality training for counselors, prevention specialists, peer/recovery coaches, students, and educators?  Become a Sponsor of ECPG training opportunities and help make a positive difference for professionals in our field. 

Choose from a variety of sponsorship levels and special sponsorship opportunities.

 

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.  

 
 
 
 

Gambling Treatment Provider News

The January Quarterly training (Jan. 25-28) offers Gambling Counselor Advanced and Core CEU opportunities; check out the event page for full details and registration.  You can also read more in the Training section of this enewsletter.  

 

Welcome newest Washington State Certified Gambling Counselors!  

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS is due to all those who persisted in their goal of becoming Certified Gambling Counselors in 2021, despite the unusual challenges that the past couple of years have offered! 

 
 

Janna Johnson, SUDP, WSCGC-I

Hazelden Betty Ford, Bellevue, WA 

 

Geri Loyal, SUDP, WSCGC-I

Providence St. Peter Chemical Dependency Center, Lacey, WA 

 

Keith Seals, BS, SUDP, WSCGC-II, AAC, ICGC-I, IGDC, CPC

Cowlitz Indian Tribe, Longview, WA 

 

Antonio Sosa, SUDP, WSCGC-I

SeaMar Community Health Centers, Mount Vernon, WA 

 

Also, congratulations and THANK YOU, to the newest Gambling Counselor Supervisor: 

 

Craig McElroy, SUDP, WSCGC-II, CAAR

New Horizon Care Centers, Spokane, WA 

Thank you all who provide gambling treatment services, education, screening, and referrals, you are saving lives, and healing families!  

You can find the most up-to-date Counselor Directory on the ECPG website here.  

(If your contact information listed on the Counselor Directory has changed, please notify us ASAP with the correct info.)  

 
 

Certification, Provider Directory, and Helpline Warm Transfer

 

COMING SOON! Interactive Provider Directory and Helpline Warm Transfer –  Your input is appreciated  

  • ECPG is working to create an interactive Provider Directory Map on the ECPG website.  

  • ECPG hopes to start the initial research and development in 2022 for a Helpline Warm Transfer service. 

  • Providers should expect to see a survey come to your inbox soon, requesting your input on information to include and filters to be used for this new interactive directory, as well as your interest in participating as a Helpline Warm Transfer on-call specialist.   

Certification and Renewal Reminders:  

  • As of July 1, 2021 all new Certification applications and renewals require 6 hours training on Cultural Competency.   

  • Approval of 100% online training allowance was extended to March 31, 2022, at which time the standard allowance of 10 hours online learning resumes, pending COVID restrictions and limitations.    

  • Supervision may be done in person, by phone, or by HIPAA-compliant video/audio communications.  Requirement of 3 in-person visits per year was removed.  Group supervision can be provided for up to four (4) providers per session. 

  • If you have had a change in employment or contact info, please notify ECPG so that the Counselor Directory and Washington State Problem Gambling Helpline can be maintained with current information.   

  • The 2022 edition of the Certification Manual is coming soon.   

IGCCB Gambling Counselor Exam updates  

The International Gambling Counselor Certification Board (IGCCB) has chosen a new Examination partner – Prometric.  This new partnership brings changes to IGCCB Examination Access in January 2022.  Prometric will be administering an updated version of the exam that is in alignment with the latest trends and research in the field.  Moving forward, those who wish to register for the exam (for either state-level or international-level certification) must create an account in IGCCB’s Certemy certification system.  See IGCCB’s exam page for more information.  

IGCCB is working with State Councils, including ECPG, to develop a process that will allow access to the exam for the next 12 months.  IGCCB is creating a workgroup of constituents to develop reciprocal agreements that further the field of problem gambling certification without causing undue steps and financial costs to treatment professionals.   

The first examination period in 2022 is scheduled for April, to give partners such as ECPG time to develop a new “approval to sit for the examination” letter and process.  IGCCB will provide a unique link for Washington State treatment providers to register for the IGCCB Examination that will require the approval letter from ECPG.  All access to registering for the examination will be through the IGCCB Certemy system.   

Stay tuned for more as developments progress and a new IGCCB Exam Handbook to be released.

 

Connect with Us

 

Connections: Healthy Gambling and Gaming Podcast 

S2E10: Recap of 2021 successes, and hopes for 2022 

Find it on Anchor, or most places you normally get your podcasts.  

 
 

 

Kaleidoscope: Reflections of Diverse Views on Mental Health Equity 

Creating equitable, respectful, and compassionate mental health services:  Reflections during Black History Month. 

LIVE on YouTube and Facebook: Friday, Feb. 11, 1 pm PT 

 

Problem Gambling Awareness Month (March) 

Gambling Disorder Screening Day is March 8 

Join #PGAMChat for Twitter Chat Tuesdays - Every Tuesday in March!  

Check out last year’s Screening Day tutorial and look for two more coming this year with a focus on Tribal and Hispanic/Latino communities!   

Get a PGAM Toolkit and resources here 

 
 

Partner Profile – News from Washington Tribes

 

Washington Tribes Support Responsible Gaming  

Tribes are encouraging healthy lifestyles and working on multiple fronts to address problem gambling. Every year they spend millions to support responsible gambling education, prevention, treatment, and wellness programs. Tribes are also tackling problem gambling through self-help programs, awareness-building campaigns, casino self-exclusion and ban requests. 

Providing treatment is also critical to these efforts. Tribes offer culturally appropriate, tribal-focused interventions. They are also financially supporting treatment programs run by the state, tribal governments, and local nonprofits. 
 
Addressing addiction is an evolving effort, and tribes are committed to continual learning and refining their efforts to prevent and treat problem gambling. 
 
Earlier this year, the Washington Indian Gaming Association launched a digital media campaign to raise awareness of problem gambling resources. The campaign is targeting people who are searching online for help.  
 
Need help now? Call the Washington State Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-547-6133. 

To learn more about Washington Tribes, visit WashingtonTribes.org

Reprinted with permission of WIGA.  Copyright © 2021 Washington Indian Gaming Association, All rights reserved. 

 
 

NCPG NFL Grant

 

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has received the largest grant in the organization’s nearly 50-year history as part of a transformative partnership with the National Football League Foundation (NFLF). The three-year grant, totaling $6.2 million over three years, will enable NCPG to significantly upgrade their National Problem Gambling Helpline, provide grants to nonprofit organizations across the country for problem gambling prevention programs, and launch communications initiatives that focus on responsible sports betting and where to get help for gambling addiction, including public service announcements and their new website, www.responsibleplay.org.  

 

“NCPG’s Board of Directors looks forward to working with NCPG staff to maximize the opportunities this partnership with the NFL provides,” said NCPG Board President Maureen Greeley. “Broadening our awareness, outreach, and innovative prevention efforts with partners across the country allows us to help people understand that gambling is a recreation with risks. Understanding the risks is key to keeping gambling fun. When gambling becomes a problem, knowing the resources for help is crucial. This support from the NFL helps us elevate our responsible gambling programs and meet our goals to reach those we serve.” 

Read the full news release  

 

The NFL began airing their own bet responsibly ad in December during nationally televised Thursday night games. Responsible Play ads will run once per game on every game. NFL will also be showing the ad on their own channel and have a paid search campaign as well. They project it will receive more than one billion impressions.  

 Through the NFL grant, NCPG has received funding to develop its own problem gambling PSA featuring the Helpline in 2022. 

 
 

What you might have missed in 2021

ECPG Receives National Awards!  

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Repeat Winner!  ECPG Received both the Multicultural Communications Award and the Most Effective Website Award for the 2nd time.   

NCPG Affiliate Multicultural Communications Award 

 

NCPG Affiliate Website Award 

  • The NCPG Website Award is presented to the outstanding website that has best raised public awareness of problem gambling. 

  • ECPG was pleased to work with M Agency on the new website design and launch.  

 

Washington State Agency Updates 

Problem Gambling Task Force and Prevalence Study Update – by Roxane Waldron 

 

“On behalf of the Health Care Authority’s Division of Behavioral Health & Recovery, WSU’s Survey Lab administered the 2021 WA State Adult Problem Gambling Prevalence Study. The study ran from July through September 2021, and had a 19.2% response rate (over 9400 completed surveys). Currently, the WA State Institute for Public Policy (WSIPP) is conducting the data analysis and report writing, with the final report to be delivered from HCA to the Legislature and the Problem Gambling Task Force (PGTF) by June 30, 2022. Data from this study will directly inform the recommendations made by the PGTF in its Final Report to the Legislature, due Nov 2022. For any questions, please contact Roxane Waldron, State Problem Gambling Program Mgr. (roxane.waldron@hca.wa.gov).”  

 

Washington State Gambling Commission News 

The state-wide Self-Exclusion program is making progress through rule making and public comment and is on track to roll out some time in 2022.  WSGC home page 

Washington State Lottery Self-Exclusion Program 

Washington’s Lottery rolled out a Voluntary Self-exclusion program in 2021, check it out.   

Kristi Weeks with Washington’s Lottery and Bradley Bohannon with the Georgia Lottery came on the Connections podcast to talk about how lotteries implement responsible gaming and problem gambling resources.  

 

YouTube Sessions – A gift from us to you 

These sessions were recorded at past ECPG virtual training programs. They have been provided on ECPG’s YouTube channel for free, because this information is too good not to share!   

Are Video Games Safe and Do They make a Good Gift? – Dr. Jeff Derevensky 

Families, Holidays, Stress, and Suicide Prevention – Ann Gray, M.Ed 

Respecting Historical Experience in Serving Diverse Cultures – Michael Bird 

Through Service and Trauma to Support and Honor: Healing the Wounded Warrior – Swil Kanim 

Youth, Gambling, Gaming, and Mental Health – Dr. Sally Gainsbury 

Mental Health, Addiction, and COVID-19 – Dr. Timothy Fong 

…and more to come 

ECPG LIVE! 2021 episodes 

 

Celebrating 30 Years of Services 

Recovery Residences 

Gaming Culture 101 

Outside the Inbox: Tech-Based Tools for Healing 

Getting off an Emotional Roller Coaster 

Voices of Awareness 

What is Gaming Disorder? 

 

Kaleidoscope 2021 episodes 

 

National American Indian Heritage Month 

National Hispanic Heritage Month 

National Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 

 

Connections podcast 2021 episodes 

 

The RG Draft of Sports Betting 

What’s the Deal with Social Casinos? 

From Grief to Hope 

Lotteries Keeping It Fun – Responsibly 

So Long Panda, and Thanks for All the Whisps 

Play Smart Messaging That Works 

The Military Didn’t Know What to Do With Me 

What’s Trending? 

What is GameSense? 

Just Breathe 

 
 
 

Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling
1821 4th Ave. E,  | Olympia, Washington  98506
360-352-6133 | info@evergreencpg.org

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