Spring 2020 Insights eNewsletter 

From the Director’s Desk

Global Community Changes With COVID-19

As COVID-19 charts what sometimes feels like a terrifying path through all our lives and requires social distancing unheard of in our generation – it is also bringing us together.  There is no doubt, it will reshape us in lasting ways – as individuals, as families, as communities. 

It is impossible not to think about the restrictions that continue to tighten weekly, daily, hourly in some cases.  If we can pause and breathe, we will see that it is also opening up opportunities…   technology; renewed interest in simpler pleasures; more telehealth options;  AND looking more carefully at both the great successes and some of the flaws in our healthcare system.  These will all impact the work we do to serve people affected by Gambling and Gaming Disorders.   

This quote from Sherry Turkle* in Politico Magazine this month struck me: 

 
Perhaps we can use our time with our devices to rethink the kinds of community we can create through them…. 

Broadway diva Laura Benanti invites performers from high school musicals who are not going to put on those shows to send their performances to her. She’ll be watching; Lin-Manuel Miranda joins the campaign and promises to watch as well…. Master yoga instructors teach free classes. This is a different life on the screen from disappearing into a video game or polishing one’s avatar. This is breaking open a medium with human generosity and empathy. This is looking within and asking: “What can I authentically offer? I have a life, a history. What do people need?” If, moving forward, we apply our most human instincts to our devices, that will have been a powerful COVID-19 legacy…. 

This is important food for thought as we continue to see the blurring lines between gambling and gaming in our field.  Whatever challenges we are all facing – we will face them together. Whatever high-tech options we rely on now, we can still be high-touch (figuratively, at least) with compassion and caring.  As individuals and businesses, I hope we will learn from these challenges ways to be even more resilient, innovative, and responsive to all those we serve.  

--Maureen 

*Sherry Turkle is professor of the social studies of science and technology at MIT, founding director of the MIT Initiative on Technology and Self, and author, most recently, of Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age. 

ECPG Responses to COVID-19 

First and foremost, ECPG strives to continue to support those we serve through increasing awareness of public health issues, education, prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts.  That has not and will not alter no matter what maelstrom of change COVID-19 brings to us.  There are some important changes, however, that we want to communicate with you… 

Focus on the Future and Northwest Recovery Symposium – New Dates! 

By now, we hope all ECPG members, supporters, partners, colleagues, and friends have received the announcement (click here to read full announcement) that we are postponing our Focus on the Future Conference and Northwest Recovery Symposium.  These two important events are rescheduled for the week of November 9-12. 

Watch for more details coming soon! 

April Recovery Coach Trainings Rescheduled

Ethical Consideration for Recovery Coaching and Introduction to Problem Gambling for Recovery Coaches – NEW DATES:  June 12-15; Vancouver, WA  For a full schedule of Recovery Coach Trainings offered by ECPG, click here. 

Gimme Shelter

With the March 23 announcement from the Governor’s Office to "Stay Home, Stay Healthy," ECPG is reducing our onsite work.  All staff will still be available as we work remotely, and key staff members will be in the office as needed to ensure support for outpatient and residential treatment services and other essential duties are fulfilled.  

Keeping in Contact

At a Distance: Please don’t hesitate to contact us through email and or phone messaging.  We will respond as quickly as possible to help meet your needs.  

Check our update page for additional information and resources: evergreencpg.org/cv19-update/

PGAM Highlights 

Twitter Chat Tuesdays

One thing that the virus did not affect was our Twitter Chat Tuesdays!  Thank you to everyone who commented, re-tweeted, liked, or even just lurked.  Each discussion was rich and got more than 25,500 impressions from across the nation.  If you got tied up by the virus crisis, you can check it out on Twitter @EvergreenCPG, to catch up on everything you missed. 

Screening Day

National Gambling Disorder Screening Day served more than 288 people who received gambling screens and resource information across the state of Washington.  Thank you to all who hosted locations!  

Media Campaigns 

With a little extra time at home, you may have noticed some great Problem Gambling Awareness Month campaigns on some of your favorite television stations.   

Recovery Café Network and KING5:  Thanks to an invitation from the Recovery Café Network and their Tribal sponsor, the Snoqualmie Tribe, ECPG has been honored to participate in an important partnership to heighten awareness of Treatment and Recovery services.  A multi-month media campaign launched in March and will continue through August.  You might recognize some of your colleagues who have been guests on KING 5’s New Day Northwest show.   

Washington State Health Care Authority and their Problem Gambling Program are key supporters of outreach and awareness efforts in Washington State, and Problem Gambling Awareness Month is no exception. Thanks to this partnership and the great work of ECPG’s Latino Advisory Committee, a new campaign launched in March on KOMO and Univision Stations in Washington -- in both English and Spanish!   

Spanish-Language Materials: The efforts to provide outreach and awareness materials throughout diverse communities in Washington continues.  A great big thank you to the Recovery Café Network and the amazing team that makes up our Latino Advisory Group, for their support in producing new and updated brochures, wallet cards, gambling screens, and more, all in Spanish!  Go ahead and check out the start of our new Spanish page here: https://www.evergreencpg.org/es.  (Stay tuned, more to come in other languages.) 

PGAM Proclamations:    proc·la·ma·tion 

/ˌpräkləˈmāSH(ə)n/ 

noun: proclamation; plural noun: proclamations 

1. a public or official announcement, especially one dealing with a matter of great importance. 

Problem Gambling Awareness Month has grown over the years – from the first Problem Gambling Awareness Week announced by the National Council on Problem Gambling, to the Problem Gambling Awareness Month efforts we see across the country today.  And, in Washington, Governor Inslee has continued the tradition of recognizing the importance of problem gambling as a public health issue by proclaiming March as Problem Gambling Month in our state.  Grassroots efforts pay off, and this year, ECPG is proud to share that the following mayors and/or city councils also offered proclamations:  Auburn, Kirkland, Olympia, Pasco, Pullman, Richland, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Yakima. See more details here.

What’s New? 

New Directions Peer-To-Peer winners

Congratulations to the Lakes High School “Green Table Team” for winning the New Directions Peer-To-Peer Youth Problem Gambling Awareness campaign.  Their campaign is featured on radio, social media, and billboards through ECPG’s partnership with Entercom Communications.   

Watch the Green Table Team's video that was produced by Entercom Communications. 

National Council Announces New Advisory Board 

Among the National Council on Problem Gambling’s Core Values is Collaboration.  As the National Advocate for programs and services to assist those affected by problem gambling, NCPG has a diverse Board of Directors, 33 State Affiliates (ECPG is one), and key members and partners across the Country.  This fits with that Core Value, as NCPG believes “that our mission is best served by the collaborative action of a broad range of people and organizations.”  With this in mind, NCPG created its first Advisory Board last Fall.  ECPG’s Executive Director, Maureen Greeley, is among the Charter Members of this new Advisory Board, that also includes representatives from the gambling industry, state gambling regulators, and other Affiliate Councils. 

For a full list of Advisory Board members for 2019-2020, click here. 

Meet the ECPG Team 

It’s so exciting to introduce you to our newest Board and Staff members at the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling.  We’ll provide a brief welcome here, but click on any photo to go to the full bio!