2010 MASSACHUSETTS CONFERENCE ON GAMBLING DISORDERS HELD IN WORCESTER 06/02/2010 On Friday, May 7, 2010, the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling’s 2010 Massachusetts Conference on Gambling Disorders: Sharing Successful Practices across New England to Prevent, Intervene and Treat Problem Gambling was held at the Crowne Plaza, Worcester.
The 2010 Conference was a collaboration of the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling and the New England Problem Gambling Consortium. Leaders from problem gambling organizations across New England shared information, and answered questions about best practices in the prevention, intervention and treatment of problem gambling.
Distinguished guests: Timothy P. Cahill, Massachusetts State Treasurer, Independent Party Gubernatorial candidate; Jill Stein, Green Party Gubernatorial candidate; and Michael Botticelli, Director of Substance Abuse Services, Massachusetts Department of Public Health talked about problem gambling as it related to the possibility of expanded gambling in the state.
Keynote speaker, Keith Whyte, Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling presented Linking Advocacy, Education and Public Awareness Across the States. He also facilitated a Community Forum on Gambling, Problem Gambling and Related Services in New England.
Conference attendees also enjoyed a special 45 minute dramatic presentation entitled, Bait and Hook: Problem Gambling in Older Adults, which highlighted the unique issues surrounding problem gambling in the older adult population. The subject matter was presented from the viewpoints of three older adults, showcasing the beginnings of their gambling, their descents into addiction, the effects it had on their lives, and their transitions into recovery.
In addition, the forum discussed a variety of topics including: advocacy, education and public awareness for problem gambling services across the states; post-traumatic stress and other anxiety disorders and problem gambling; college student gambling; and beginning residential gambling treatment in Massachusetts during breakout sessions. Please click on workshop titles to download copies of the presentations:
Starting Residential Gambling Treatment in Massachusetts Presenter: Jesse Mellor, LADC I, CAS, MAPGS, Director of Substance Recovery Services at the Henry Lee Willis Community Center in Worcester; Senior Instructor, Cambridge College
Beyond a Collateral Client: Centering Problem Gambling Treatment on the Family Presenter: Mary Lou Costanzo, LCSW, NCGC, Clinical Director, Problem Gambling Services, State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
Post-Traumatic Stress and other Anxiety Disorders and Problem Gambling: Clinical Implications Presenter: Arthur C. Friedman, PhD, LICSW, a clinically trained social worker with over 30 years of experience working in health and human service settings
College Student Gambling: Research, Interventions & Policy Presenters: Ryan J. Martin, PhD, Thomas N. Cummings Research Fellow Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School Division on Addictions, Cambridge Health Alliance, and George T. Ladd, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Rhode Island College
Recovery Oriented Systems of Care: What Do They Mean and Where Does Problem Gambling Fit? Presenters: Jim Wuelfing, Director of Prevention, Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling; Bruce Tassone, Helpline Specialist, Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling; and Jim Hiatt, Constituency Services, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Abuse Services, Representative of the Massachusetts Recovery Centers
Moving to Science Based Problem Gambling Prevention with Adolescents: Yes, We Can! Presenters: Ingrid Gilllespie, MSCED, Director, Lower Fairfield County Regional Action Council; Kristin duBay Horton, MPH, duBay Horton Asssociates; and Susan D. McLaughlin, MPA, CPP, Prevention Services Coordinator, State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Problem Gambling Services
Web 2.0 in the 21st Century- Using Innovative Technology to Further Your Mission Presenters: Katie Warner, Prevention Assistant, Mass. Council on Compulsive Gambling and Margot Cahoon, Communications Specialist, Mass. Council on Compulsive Gambling
Problem Gambling and Latinos/as in the Northeast: Culturally Competent Techniques and Strategies Presenters: Haner Hernández, PhD, CADACII, LADCI, Assistant Director of Prevention and Programs, Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling, and Carlos Reinoso Jr., Community Prevention Educator, Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling.
For more information about trainings and conferences offered by the Mass. Council, please visit www.masscompulsivegambling.org or contact Program Director, Marlene Warner at marlene@masscompulsivegambling.org / 617-426-4554. |