March 4, 2025, 1:00pm-2:30pm EST
COURSE DESCRIPTION
With the legalization of sports betting and increased access through mobile platforms, college students are at greater risk of problem gambling. This training is for young adults and those who work with young adults, focusing on the prevention of underage and problem gambling. This training will provide an overview of gambling expansion, an introduction to underage and problem gambling, an overview of Maryland’s problem gambling prevention grant programs, best practices in underage and problem gambling prevention strategies, and resources for help. Hear from representatives from Morgan State University, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and Frostburg State University who will provide information on gambling trends and prevention strategies implemented on college campuses.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Identify why problem gambling is a public health concern for emerging adults.
- Review prevention grant programs, strategies implemented, and resources for help for problem gambling in the Central East region.
- Cite colleges and universities that implemented a problem gambling prevention grant last fiscal year. Strategies implemented on campuses, challenges faced, and greatest successes will be discussed, as well as what is planned for 2025.
PRESENTERS
Heather Eshleman, MPH., is the Prevention Manager at the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling. She works collaboratively with community organizations, schools, and government agencies to prevent underage and problem gambling as well as oversee special population and youth grants. She currently leads the Center’s efforts in compiling an underage and problem gambling prevention needs assessment to provide baseline data to guide future prevention strategies. She served as the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Supervisor at the Anne Arundel County Department of Health from 2006-2019, overseeing the Substance Abuse Prevention coalitions, the Opioid Misuse Prevention Program, the Strengthening Families Program, the Fatal Overdose Review Team, and Coordination of the Students Against Destructive Decisions Chapters. Before becoming Supervisor, from 2002-2006, Heather was a Grants Administrator at Anne Arundel County Department of Health. Heather received her Masters in Public Health from the University at Albany School of Public Health and her Bachelor’s degree in School and Community Health Education from Towson University. Heather served in the United States Peace Corps in Morocco, North Africa, as a Maternal and Child Health volunteer, working on hygiene promotion and pre-natal care for two years.
Jess Jolly, M.S.W, LCSW-C (she/her), is a licensed clinical social worker who has been serving the community in Southern Maryland for over a decade. Jess' roles have included serving as Clinical Manager and Director of Outpatient Services at Pyramid Healthcare LLC. Throughout her career, Jess has worked with both youth and adults from diverse backgrounds. She has also provided individual and group therapy modalities within residential and outpatient settings. She holds a BA in Sociology from Kutztown University and an MSW from West Chester University. Jess is passionate about serving the college community and providing services of excellence to students. Jess holds supervisory status with the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners and with the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists as a Non-LCPC Approved Supervisor and a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Approved Supervisor.
Joseph McKenzie has been the Prevention Assistant for the SAFE Office since June 2021, utilizing his expertise in event planning, web design, video editing, film, photography, sound design, and media production. A proud Frostburg native and Frostburg Bobcat, he graduated from FSU in 2019 with a degree in mass communication and a minor in graphic design and fine art. Joseph founded the PAWSCAST, the FSU SAFE Office Wellness Podcast, and plays a key role in training Peer Educators through NASPA. By combining creativity with leadership, he supports and enhances prevention initiatives at FSU. His work focuses on addressing alcohol, cannabis, other drug use, and problem gambling, while fostering meaningful community engagement and strengthening campus support.
Sonya Clyburn, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia. She has been practicing clinical psychology for over 15 years and has a private practice. Dr. Clyburn is a certified trainer, professor, consultant, evaluator, life coach, and victim advocate. She is currently the Director of Counseling Services at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD and serves on the Human Right's Committee's for several Department of Disability Services agencies in Washington, DC. Dr. Clyburn is also an assistant, adjunct professor at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, in Washington, DC, coordinates Crisis Intervention Management Team in the DC Metropolitan Area, and supervises pre doctoral students and psychiatric residents. Recently, she was appointed to the Maryland Health Advisory Committee for the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Dr. Clyburn earned her Doctor of Psychology degree from the American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University in Washington, DC.
