From:
Danielle L. Kirby, Director
Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery
Problem Gambling Awareness Month Activities
The Illinois Department of Human Services/ Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (IDHS/SUPR) is continuing to expand screening, assessment, treatment, case management, community intervention and recovery support services for individuals with gambling disorder or at risk for gambling disorder.
March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM)!
IDHS/SUPR, in collaboration with the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling (ICPG) and the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), is dedicating March to bringing awareness to the gambling disorder and directing people to the help they need. PGAM is designed to help raise awareness of the prevention, treatment and recovery services available for those adversely affected by gambling. Across Illinois, organizations will be sponsoring community events, holding screening and trainings days and running media campaigns to ensure that problem gambling services are widely available and accessible. For a current list of events, please go to: https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=117443. The Chicago Skyline will be lit orange during the week of March 1-7 to honor all those who struggle with gambling disorder and bring awareness to the impact of gambling on communities. If you would like someone to present on gambling to your organization, please contact our Statewide Gambling Coordinator, Kellie Gage, at Kellie.Gage@illinois.gov.
IDHS/SUPR Welcomes New Gambling Programs
IDHS/SUPR is pleased to announce two (2) new programs that will expand Illinois' capacity for treatment and intervention services for individuals with gambling disorder. We congratulate these agencies for being new aware recipients and welcome them to the group of service organizations that will assist IDHS/SUPR in expanding outreach and treatment services for people who suffer from Gambling Disorder. This expand available services in the central and southern regions of the state. For a complete list of providers, go to: https://weknowthefeeling.org/support/
- Alpha Omega Counseling Center - Champaign and Vermillion County
- Family Guidance Center - Cook County
- Pui Tak - outreach in Chicago
- Illinois Problem Gambling Association - outreach in Illinois
Gambling Statewide Needs Assessment
IDHS/SUPR is conducting the first needs assessment of gambling disorders in Illinois. The primary goals of the study are to examine the prevalence of legalized gambling, its patterns in Illinois, the demographics and socio-cultural characteristics of individuals at-risk for gambling disorders and the State's capacity to meet the needs of individuals with gambling disorders. IDHS/SUPR is please to announce that the needs assessment will be conducted by Health Resources in Action.
NOFO to Expand Gambling Services - Organizations are encouraged to share IDHS/SUPRs Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for further expansion of gambling services.
- This NOFO allows licensed SUD treatment providers to apply additional funding to deliver gambling disorder treatment services.
- The NOFO allows other community-based organizations to apply for funding to provide aggressive outreach to populations and areas of the state that are most impacted by the expansion of gambling in Illinois.
Gambling Disorder Counselor Four-Day Core Training (30-hour Course) - IDHS/SUPR is offering a Four-Day Gambling Disorder Core Training free of charge for all counselors and therapists who want to increase their skill and knowledge in assessing and treating problem gambling and Gambling Disorder.
Through this training, participants may earn up to 30 hours of continuing education units which can be applies towards the Problem and Compulsive Gambling Certification (PCGC). Participants must arrive on time and stay for the entire day each day to receive CEU credit. There are five additional trainings across the state prior to June. Please register at https://weknowthefeeling.org/for-providers/. This web page also includes recorded webinars from the past year and registration for upcoming webinars.
Other Gambling Resources:
www.weknowthefeeling.org or 1-800-GAMBLER
For information regarding the gambling initiative, or to order brochures and posters, you may contact Kellie Gage, Program Coordinator, at Kellie.Gage@illinois.gov or Gajef McNeill, Contract Manager, at Gajef.McNeill@illinois.gov.
