The New York State Office of Alcoholism
and Substance Abuse Services today announced a new, multi-year program to train
counseling professionals to better enable them to deliver problem gambling
treatment and support services. Many individuals seek private practitioners for
help to address problem gambling and this new training program ensures that
private practitioners are knowledgeable about problem gambling and will
increase access to treatment and support services. The Problem Gambling
Training Partnership, funded by NYS OASAS, will offer training on assessment
and treatment for a gambling disorder to social workers, mental health
counselors, marriage and family therapists and psychoanalysts throughout New
York State.
“With these new trainings, counseling
professionals across the state will be better equipped to recognize problem
gambling signs and to treat and refer New Yorkers to the help they need,” said
NYS OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez. “New Yorkers who have a
gambling problem will now be able to tap into a larger network of qualified
health professionals who can help them, and get them back on track toward a
life in recovery. OASAS is pleased to join with the New York Council on Problem
Gambling and our new partners on these new statewide efforts.”
The new program is part of a statewide
collaboration between NYS OASAS and the New York Council on Problem Gambling
(NYCPG). The NYCPG will work with the New York State Chapter of the National
Association of Social Workers (NASW-NYS), the New York Mental Health Counselors
Association (NYMHCA), the New York Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
(NYMFT), and the National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis
(NAAP) to implement this new initiative. These five professional organizations
partnering in this effort represent nearly 20,000 counseling professionals
across the state.
The program will provide evidence-based
training on best practices related to problem gambling prevention, treatment
and support services through in-person training institutes, webinars and print
materials, and clinical support. Training programs will begin in May and be
offered regionally throughout the state. This new funding, totaling more than
$350,000 in 2016 also will enable the associations to develop a public
awareness campaign to inform the public about problem gambling and the
availability of counseling services.
“This initiative to train more
professionals on how to recognize and treat problem gambling is another example
of effective policy in this era of expanded gaming,” said New York Gaming
Commission Executive Director Robert Williams. “We must make sure that quality
help is available for those that need it. OASAS and the New York Council on
Problem Gambling have been invaluable partners in the Responsible Play
Partnership and we commend them for collaborating to expand crucial services.”
“We are excited to be a part of this
project,” said James J. Maney, Executive Director of New York Council on
Problem Gambling. “The work that will be done through this collaboration
is going to increase access to care for New Yorkers struggling with problem
gambling.”
“As an organization representing
thousands of social workers across the New York State, we are pleased to adopt
these education and training measures that will help to proactively address
problem gambling in New York State,” said NASW-NYS Executive Director, Ron
Bunce.
“This program will provide New Yorkers
who may be struggling with problem gambling issues with information about
qualified and licensed mental health and addiction counselors in their
community,” said Judith L. Ritterman, Executive Director of the New York Mental
Health Counselors Association. “Investing in the education of licensed mental
health and addiction treatment professionals shows New York's commitment to
treatment for those with problem gambling issues and to responsible gaming.”
“We are excited to be part of bringing
quality education to mental health and addiction professionals so that they
will be able to serve the treatment needs for those who are affected by problem
gambling in New York State,” said Jennifer Harper, President of the National
Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis.
“The impact of problem gambling for some
of New York’s families can be serious,” said Carol Podgorski, President of the
New York Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. “That is why our
profession is proud to be a leader in shedding a light on the issue and taking
important steps to prepare for treatment needs that may arise.”
To sign up for a training or to learn
more about the trainings offered throughout the state, visit The New York State Chapter of the National
Association of Social Workers or www.oasas.ny.gov/gambling.
New Yorkers struggling with problem
gambling, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling
the State’s HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY
(Short Code 467369). New Yorkers can also find an OASAS-certified problem
gambling or substance use disorder treatment provider by using the NYS OASAS Bed
Availability Dashboard or visiting the NYS OASAS Find Help web
page. For additional tools to use in talking to a young person about
preventing problem gambling, underage drinking or drug use, visit the State’s Talk2Prevent
website.
Source: The New York State Office
of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
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