ABOUT THE LEARNING SESSION

Over the recent years, gambling has changed quite a bit in the New England states. If someone wants to gamble, all they need to do is simply take their phone out of their pocket. Although changes such as ease of access create new opportunities, they also create new risks for potential harm. This interactive workshop will provide participants with an overall understanding of the current gambling landscape and the impact experienced so far with expansions. We will review emerging trends and available data, share gambling-specific prevention strategies, and highlight ways to put ‘Prevention in Action’ when it comes to problem gambling.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Understand the landscape of gambling in the New England states and the impact of the new legalization expansions (online/sports betting).
• Discuss risk and protective factors including warning signs for problem gambling.
• Review emerging trends and current national, state, regional and local data that is available.
• Identify gambling-specific gambling prevention strategies and resources that can be utilized on the state, regional, and local level.

PRESENTERS

• Kelly Leppard, MPA, and Kaitlin Brown, LPC, LADC, ICGC II is the Primary Prevention Services Coordinator for the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Problem Gambling Services Division. Kelly is a Certified Prevention Specialist and has been working in the prevention field on the local and state level since 2008. Prior to her current position, Kelly worked for the Town of Southington and is a Past–President of the Connecticut Association of Prevention Professionals
• Kaitlin Brown is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LADC), Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor (ICGC II), holds an International Gaming Disorder Certificate (IGDC) and is a Board Approved Clinical Consultant (BACC) with the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board providing supervision to those seeking to obtain certification in working with Gambling & Gaming Disorders. Kaitlin is currently the Director of Programs & Services for the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Kaitlin oversees the statewide problem gambling helpline, education, prevention initiatives, and responsible gambling efforts.

In addition, Lori Manson, Maine Problem Gambling Services Coordinator, will provide a few brief comments about recent changes in Maine with the opening of sports betting this fall.

About the webinar: This webinar is planned and hosted by the New England Prevention Technology Transfer Center, a program funded through a cooperative agreement from SAMHSA, in response to an identified need to provide education to the New England prevention workforce about gambling prevention.

Participants will receive a certificate of participation for 1 contact hour. This training is pre-approved by the Maine Prevention Certification Board, an IC&RC member board. This webinar will be recorded. Certificates are only available to those who participate in the live event.

MARCH IS.... 

Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM)

Problem Gambling Awareness Month is a nationwide grassroots campaign, held annually in March, that seeks to increase public awareness of problem gambling and promote prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Learn more and download the 2024 promotional toolkit.