Gambling Recovery Ministries: Indiana Problem Gambling

Post 44

October:  Collaborations Continue!

Spotlight:  Indiana Problem Gambling Awareness Program

Our September GRM Blog post featured the First Responder Conference held on September 13 in Indianapolis.  As noted, this was - completely - a collaborative effort shared by State agencies, the United Methodist General Board of Church & Society, support groups, and Gambling Recovery Ministries.  The day was filled with information on recovery support for substance abuse and gambling problems.  A substantial amount of this event's programming could not have been coordinated without the instrumental assistance from the Indiana Problem Gambling Awareness Program. 

As I review the past several blog entries, memories come to mind of multiple blessings that have contributed to GRM's development through collaboration.  Over the years, problem gambling materials have been given, significant introductions made, and trainings continue to be shared and provided. 

So in the spirit of continuing collaboration, the October and November GRM Blog posts, respectively, will highlight our GRM friends in the problem-gambling-recovery-trenches: the Indiana Problem Gambling Awareness Program (IPGAP) and several State Councils/Associations on Problem Gambling.

From the IPGAP website, www.ipgap.indiana.edu , the Indiana Problem Gambling Awareness Program is to provide technical assistance for prevention, treatment, and co-occurring issues.  This program actually stemmed from the Prevention Resource Center at Indiana University, in 2005.  From its beginning, IPGAP has continued to share a plethora of information about problem gambling and associated recovery issues.  Moreover, practical and readily usable materials can be downloaded from IPGAP's site.  Then too, the program's Lending Library provides access to a variety of materials for programming and individual use.

To introduce you to IPGAP's outreach services, the following represent a sampling of materials you can obtain through their website.  Enjoy!

• Data & Research:  Reports, over the years, detailing survey results concerning Indiana Adolescents and Gambling, Adults and Gambling, and Older Adults and Gambling
•  Treatment Providers:  List of state-funded, certified gambling treatment providers throughout the State of Indiana
•  Gam-Block Information: Blocking access to gambling websites program information
• Environmental Strategies:  Approaches focusing on changing conditions in the shared social environment that contribute to or protect against gambling problems and consequences

• Materials

         Problem Gambling Tool Kit for Professionals:  screening, assessment, referral, and     

         treatment information 

        History of Gambling

         Glossary of Gambling Terms

         Military and Veterans Resource Information

         Professional Certification

         For Family and Friends of Problem Gamblers: Personal Financial Strategies for Loved   

         Ones of Problem Gamblers

         For the Gambler: Self Assessment Quiz & FAQ's on Problem Gambling

         Many Other Fact Sheets on Problem Gambling

 

IPGAP, also, provides tools for counselors to use within their work with problem gamblers:

Gambling Progression Chart; Counseling Log; Certification Tracking Form; Early Stage Couples Work Guide 

Online Presentations: Scoring the South Oaks Gambling Screen; Problem Gambling 101 

Special Populations Information: Youth; College Students; Older Adults 

Furthermore!!  All seven PowerPoints presented at the First Responder Conference are posted on the IPGAP website!   

Check out Gambling Recovery Ministries: A Faith-Based Approach under the "Special Populations/Faith-Based" page!  This PowerPoint, also, includes the Lunch Session PowerPoint on  Spiritual Issues of Problem Gamblers. 

One final note:  the Indiana Problem Gambling Awareness Program (IPGAP) is funded by a contract with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Division of Mental Health and Addiction with funds through the Indiana Problem Gamblers' Assistance Fund. 

For more information on IPGAP, contact Mary Lay, IPGAP Project Manager, at maholtsc@indiana.edu  OR  Desiree Goetze, Assistant Project Manager, at dgoetze@indiana.edu 

OR call 1.800.346.3077 (in Indiana); otherwise call (812) 855-1237  

Blessings, 

Rev. Janet Jacobs

Gambling Recovery Ministries, Director

 

For more information on problem gambling and recovery issues, go to www.grmumc.org