Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling

Training/Workforce Development: Training is made available to an array of individuals and counselors through classes, conferences, and certification for professional counselors. The program strives to provide specialized training for counseling problem gamblers and family members to increase counselors' effectiveness in helping individuals overcome a gambling addiction or its negative effects on the family. The program also offers certification and training to individuals who are responsible for furnishing treatment services to those who have been identified as having a gambling addiction. Responsible Gaming training is available for gaming industry employees at both the management and frontline staff levels.

A toll-free Helpline is made available to the general public. A call may be placed at any time and information is available to help the caller identify signs that he/she or a loved one may be in trouble or to help the caller connect with treatment programs. The Helpline can also be accessed via chat or text.

Education/Outreach/Prevention: Public education focuses on helping individuals and the community at large to identify and prevent gambling addictions. This is accomplished by making problem gambling information and resources available to the general public, including resources for treatment and support services. The information is available via the Council's website in electronic download as well as in print and video form. The Council operates a speaker's bureau to conduct public awareness presentations throughout the state. The bureau is available at most venues including schools, businesses, civic councils, and agencies within Washington state and other regions. The Prevention program is designed to assist youth in making healthy choices and reducing risky behaviors. Youth Services also includes an arts-based program, New Directions, to help youth become aware of the potential negative effects of gambling addictions and to also become aware of alternate healthy choices in entertainment and recreational activities.

Social Justice: An ongoing commitment to social justice and equity means working and engaging with and listening to representatives from the diverse communities the Council services. This supports efforts to create programs and services that meet diverse needs and to advocate for change in our field that addresses barriers to information and access to care for those most marginalized. Community Advisory Committees are representative working groups that help inform the Council's strategic plans and advise on new and improved services that live at the intersection of the Council's mission and the unmet needs of these communities. Outreach efforts - print, broadcast, digital - are designed to inform and inspire others to understand Social Justice as a Public Health and Mental Health issue that reflects impacts on diverse communities with relation to race, religion, gender and sexual identity, disabilities, and other intersectionality connections.

Treatment/Therapeutic Justice: The treatment and therapeutic justice programs include both residential and outpatient treatment services for problem gamblers. These treatment services are available to all individuals within the state who are striving to overcome gambling addiction. Outpatient treatment services are also available for family members living in Washington who are affected by gambling addiction. A treatment provider manual has been developed with tools and forms for service providers to deliver services to problem gamblers.