PROBLEM GAMBLING OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY (Post 95)

THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017

Post 95

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

WAIVER NEWS!

At the IGCCB Board Meeting on May 11, 2017, the International Board voted to extend the Waiver of Initial Certification Fees ($185) through June 30, 2018.  Therefore, the Administrative Fee of $50 remains the cost for filing initially for Certification**, along with your completed forms.  Re-certification continues to be every three years; and the re-certification fee is $95.  

(** International Gambling Counselor Certification Board’s Clergy/Lay Minister Certification in Prevention, Education, Awareness, and Spiritual Outreach Care)
For more details contact the IGCCB at (202) 547-9204 or inquire at Certification@ncpgambling.org

PART II:

PROBLEM GAMBLING OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY

As noted in May’s edition of the GRM Blog, with the growing number of persons completing the 4-Module Trainings, interest in ideas for individual Class Projects is mounting.  This month, ideas for problem gambling outreach to the community, as a whole, are highlighted.

WHAT CAN I DO IN MY COMMUNITY?
LOCAL / STATE / NATIONAL OUTREACH POSSIBILITIES

·        Provide informational materials on problem gambling at Health Fairs (hospitals, churches, community clinics, places of employment)
·        Provide informational materials on problem gambling at Community Events  (“information booths” at local fairs and town/city celebrations),
·        Provide informational materials on problem gambling to hospital chaplains
·        Create a Speakers Bureau type of service on problem gambling and recovery issues.  This can be offered to community organizations and/or for events
·        Educational outreach to schools: parent organizations, teen groups (such as SADD), school counselors, student councils
·        Provide information displays for local, State, and regional conferences (eg., Public Health Conferences, Social Work Conferences)
·        Area Libraries: provide pamphlets, brochures, Help Lines, fact sheets
·        Include educational materials on gambling addiction  in “social service information malls” of various agencies
·        Provide educational and resource materials for women’s health delivery agencies/service providers; women’s health clinics/fitness facilities
·        Post GA and Gam-Anon Meetings information on Community Bulletin Boards and in local newspapers
·        Establish a hospitality drop-in center for persons in recovery for problem gambling
·        In providing informational materials, include Criminal Justice professional arenas and Aging service providers
·        Create a Problem Gambling Awareness and Recovery Blog
·        Establish relationships with retailers of  lottery outlets and provide them with PG Helpline posters and brochures

One final note:  Awareness is awareness is awareness!  The more public information about problem gambling and recovery appears within a community, the greater the need for help develops.  The more help developed and offered, the greater the awareness grows:  MORE HELP, MORE HOPE!!  

Blessings,
Rev. Janet Jacobs CCGSO    
Founding Director
Gambling Recovery Ministries
     www.grmumc.org

 For more information on problem gambling and recovery, visit:

www.indianaproblemgambling.org
www.ipgap.indiana.edu
www.mdproblemgambling.com
www.gamblersanonymous.org
www.gam-anon.org
www.kycpg.org
www.pgnohio.org
www.calproblemgambling.org
www.christsd.com
 

Posted by Gambling Recovery Ministries at 1:04 PM