COALITION ACHIEVEMENTS 2024
Dec 6, 2024 Coalition CEU Day
Hosted by Mental Health Recovery serving Warren and Clinton Counties at the Warren C. Young Center in Lebanon, the event brought together more than 50 in-person and Zoom participants who earned 3 CEUs in problem gambling prevention and treatment. Sessions included “So You Want to Learn Motivational Interviewing for Problem Gambling” (1.5 CEUs) presented by Jeff Rhein, MRC, PCC-S, LICDC-CS, Deputy Director of Outpatient, SUD, Crisis & Criminal Justice Services, and “The Intersection of Gambling and Domestic Violence: Empowering Survivors” (1.5 CEUs) presented by Kristen Beall, LCSW-C, ICGC-I, CAC-AD of the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling.
Exhibit agencies:
Brighter Days Wellness and Recovery, LLC.
Butler Behavioral Health
Center for Addiction Treatment
Hamilton County Suicide Prevention Coalition
Mayo Home
Mental Health America of NKY and SWOH
NAMI SW OH
Safe on Main
Talbert House
Council on Child Abuse (COCA)
University of Cincinnati School of Social Work
Thank you to event Chair Jeff Rhein!
October 20, 2024 Out of the Darkness Walk, Sawyer Park
Enthusiastic volunteers from Coalition Outreach Committee served in various roles, including walking in the event and assisting at Coalition booth. Their participation was invaluable in making this event a success and in helping to spread awareness about this important cause.
September 27, 2024 CE Day and Coalition Meeting
Hosted by the Miami University Regionals Voice of America Learning Center in West Chester and co-sponsored by Miami University, the University of Cincinnati School of Social Work, and Envision Partnerships, this event offered 3 CEUs to attendees. Sessions included “The Rise of Online Gaming and Sports Betting: How It Is Affecting Youth and Young Adults and What Communities Can Do to Raise Awareness” (1.5 CEUs) presented by Alison Wood, MSW, MPA, and “By the Numbers: The Story of Sports Betting in Ohio” (1.5 CEUs) presented by Milan Karna, OCPC (OhioMHAS), Cory Brown, OCPC, ICPS (Ohio Casino Control Commission), and Michael Buzzelli, MA, MPH, OCPS (Problem Gambling Network of Ohio). Special thanks to CEU Chair Kristina Latta-Landefeld, MS, OCPS of Envision Partnerships.
June 28, 2024 Coalition CEU Day
More than 100 attendees participated via Zoom and earned 4.5 CEUs in problem gambling prevention and treatment. The training featured three sessions: “Problem Gambling and Suicide Lethality” (1.5 CEUs) presented by Michael A. Buzzelli, MA, MPH, OCPS, Associate Director of PGNO; “Financial Awareness and Gambling” (1.5 CEUs) presented by Nan Franks, MA, LPC, LICDC, former CEO of the Alcoholism Council of Cincinnati; and “Integrating Problem Gambling Prevention with Substance Misuse Prevention” (1.5 CEUs) presented by Claire Spada, OCPC, ICPS, Workforce Development Manager at PGNO. Special thanks to Event Chair Nathaniel Johnson and Vice Chair for Communications Janina Moman.
May 2024
In May 2024, Coalition becomes a member of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADAC).
CADCA represents over 7,000 community coalitions that involve individuals from key sectors including schools, law enforcement, youth, parents, healthcare, media, tribal communities and others. CADCA has members in every U.S. state and territory and more than 30 countries around the world. The CADCA coalition model emphasizes the power of community coalitions to prevent substance misuse through collaborative community efforts. Prevention of substance use and misuse before it starts is the most effective and cost-efficient way to reduce substance use and its associated costs.
April 2024 Community Engagement Activities
In April 2024, the Coalition expanded community outreach through tabling at two major regional events. On April 20, the Coalition participated in the Invest in Neighborhood Summit, engaging with more than 300 participants representing Cincinnati’s 52 neighborhoods. Later that month, on April 29, the Coalition tabled at the 20th Annual Closing the Health Gap Health Expo at Washington Park in Cincinnati, which drew nearly 10,000 attendees. These events provided valuable opportunities to share prevention resources, raise awareness, and strengthen connections across the community.
March 29 Coalition Conducts CEU DAY
This training offered 3 CEUs and featured two key sessions. “Building Gambling Treatment Sustainability in Your Agency” (1.5 CEUs) was presented by Rachel Johnson, MS, LPCC-S, Vice President of Clinical Services at the Center for Addiction Treatment and a 2022–2023 Ohio Problem Gambling Fellow. “Gambling Screening and Assessment” (1.5 CEUs) was presented by Abdullah Mahmood, LSW, LCDCIII-GAM, OCPSA, Program Coordinator at Maryhaven.
Coalition Tabling at Hardrock Casino Cincinnati, March 2024
March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month held to increase public awareness of problem gambling and promote prevention, treatment, and recovery services.
February 2024
Hardrock Cincinnati Casino sponsorship of two students to attend Problem Gambling Conference.
February 2024, Princeton HS Financial Fitness Fair
Thank you to Mr. Jim O'Connor, M.Ed., Princeton High School Teacher for inviting the Problem Gambling Coalition to exhibit at Princeton High School's first Financial Fitness Fair. The Coalition was represented by (photo L to R) Prevention Outreach Committee Chair, Cindy Chizewick and Vice Chair for Communications, Madison Noble.
Jan. 26, 2024 Coalition Hosted by Envision Partnerships, Butler County
Sixty-one prevention and treatment professionals earned 1.5 hours in problem gambling continuing education. Michael A. Buzzelli, MA, MPH, OCPS, Associate Director PGNO presented an overview of the gambling landscape in Ohio, including what has been learned from the 2022 Ohio Gambling Survey and information gained in the last year since Sports Betting became legal.
Exhibiting organizations included:
- Butler County Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Serv. Board
- Miami University Gaming and Gambling Institute
- Ohio Casino Control Commission
- Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
- Prevention Action Alliance
- Problem Gambling Network of Ohio
COALITION ACHIEVEMENTS 2023
Dec. 19, 2023 - Community Partnership and Student Support Highlights
Robert Wamsley, Director of Compliance for Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati; Tammy Sanderson, Coalition Outreach Committee Vice Chair for Gaming. Tammy will lead the Outreach Subcommittee that will staff an information table at Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati in 2024.
Thank you to Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati for sponsoring the conference registration of two UC students to attend the February 2024 Problem Gambling Conference, Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center, Columbus, Ohio - Elisa Kibbey (Columbus, Ohio) is a UC BSW-DL student graduating in December 2024. She recently applied as an Ohio Prevention Registered Applicant and is renewing her Ohio Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant credential. Gabrielle Bradley (Columbus, Ohio) is a UC BSW-DL graduating in August 2024. Gabrielle is an Ohio Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and recently applied for Ohio Prevention Registered Applicant.
October 2023 - June 2024, Ohio Coalition Grant, 1 of 12 in Ohio
Ohio Coalition Grant, Monica Coffey-Faison, Jennifer Radt and Gregory Stewart are investigators for a 2023-2024 grant to strengthen the Problem Gambling Coalition capacity and structure. Learning community activities that are focused on 1. Developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for enhancing the infrastructure and sustainability of Coalition; 2. Collaborating with peers to enhance community coalition efforts; and 3. Participating in professional development and leadership skill-building opportunities. Learning will be supported through a series of professional development opportunities, monthly coaching support meetings, and the practical application of skills learned to enhance overall coalition’s efforts. https://ocamnetwork.org/
November 2023 - June 2024 Problem Gambling Consultation Grant focused on Co-Occurring Disorders
Advocating for Students with CDCA Credential Lisa Zimmer and Gregory Stewart are investigators to advocate for students who have earned the CDCA or LCDC II. The 2023-2024 mini grant had two objectives: Advocate for Social work students to maintain chemical dependency credentials and to understand co-occurring disorders; Advocate for Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Coalition members to earn the Ohio Gambling Endorsement.
Oct 18, 2023 Ohio Casino Control Commission
(left to right) Dr Stewart and Casino Control Commission Christopher Smitherman (Commissioner Smitherman is former Vice Mayor of the City of Cincinnati) Dr. Gregory Stewart, Associate Professor, University of Cincinnati, School of Social Work and Vice Chair, Communications, Problem Gambling Coalition of SW OH presented to the Commission on the work of the UC School of Social Work and founding of the Problem Gambling Coalition SW OH
Sept 25, 2023 Gamban
The Coalition hosted a zoom meeting with Cory Brown, Manager of Problem Gambling Services at Ohio Casino Control Commission and Susan Diamond, Responsible Gambling Program Coordinator at Ohio Lottery Commission to present:
Time Out Ohio - https://timeoutohio.com/
Gamban - https://timeoutohio.com/gamban/
Objective: Share information with individuals and groups who can utilize it in helping to protect Ohioans and others experiencing problems related to gambling.
Fifteen Coalition members participated from a variety organizations including: Center for Addiction Treatment; Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health, Clermont County; Sojourner, Community Health Alliance ; The Crosslands Center; UC Clermont College; UC School of Social Work; UC Student Wellness Center, Clifton; UC Main Counseling & Psychological Services; UMADOAP Cincinnati
Sept 15, 2023 Problem Gambling Treatment CEU Training Great Success
Sixty social work and counseling prevention and treatment professionals earned 4.5 hours in problem gambling treatment continuing education. A sampling of organizations represented included Best Point, Brighter Days Wellness and Recovery LLC, Center for Addiction Treatment, Cincinnati UMADOAP, Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Envision Partnerships, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services (GCBHS), Mercy Health, Mount St Joseph University, Pinpoint Behavioral Health Solutions, Pressley Ridge, Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, Resurge Recovery, Talbert House, The Crossroads Center, TriHealth Cincinnati, UC Clermont College, UC School of Social Work and geographic representation from Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, and Warren Counties. Thank you to the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services for funding this continuing education series. In addition, thank you to the UC College of Allied Health Services and School of Social Work for hosting the event.