PHONE: (614) 750-9899
EMAIL: info@pgnohio.org
355 E Campus View Blvd, Columbus, OH 43235, United States of America
Problem Gambling Awareness Month
Ohio’s Impact & Innovation Webinar Series
Join us for a lead-up to Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) with Ohio’s Innovation & Impact Webinar Series, where experts and advocates come together to explore the latest tools and resources in problem gambling prevention, treatment, and responsible gambling initiatives. This engaging series will highlight innovative strategies, impactful programs, and emerging trends that are shaping the future of problem gambling services.
This series is no-cost, and up to 5 CEU's are available.
Tuesday February 25, 2025
Tuesday, February 25: 9:15-10:30am
Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline: From Call to Support to Service
This in-depth session will explore the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline and its role in connecting individuals to critical resources. United Way of Greater Cleveland will provide insight on how they manage the helpline database, website, and reporting tools and will provide insight into how data supports service delivery. Information will also be shared on navigator training, coaching, and client-facing call handling processes that ensure effective support for individuals calling the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline in search of support. Additionally, an overview of the Warmline Transfer process and how help-seeking individuals can without local treatment resources can access the Ohio Gambling Telehealth Network (OGTN).
Matt Finley has worked at United Way of Greater Cleveland's 2-1-1 for more than 14 years, during which time he's held various responsibilities, including database management, telephony scripting, quality assurance, quality improvement and project management. He is currently the Associate Director of Community Resources. He holds Inform USA's Database Curator (CRS-DC) and Resource Specialist (CRS) certifications.
Michelle Snowden serves as the Associate Director of Navigation Services at United Way of Greater Cleveland 211, where she leads a team that connects over 180,000 people each year to essential resources. In her current role, she focuses on enhancing service delivery, developing policy, and fostering collaborations with local, state, and national organizations to strengthen community support systems. With more than 30 years of experience in government and non-profit sectors, Michelle specializes in improving access to services for children, families, and underserved populations. Additionally, she is a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve, a proud mother and grandmother, and a dedicated leader who is passionate about helping others thrive.
Olivia Burris, CDCA is the Intake Coordinator for the Ohio Gambling Telehealth Network. She helps clients navigate the gambling support service system and connects them with local resources. She is passionate about helping those in need in her personal and professional life and spends time volunteering with individuals in recovery from substance use.
Tuesday february, 25: 10:45 am -12:00PM
With the legalization of sports betting in Ohio in 2023, we know that more Ohioans are engaging in sports betting or other forms of gambling than ever before. In fact, calls to the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline increased 55% in 2023! Furthermore, the 2022 Ohio Gambling Survey indicated that 18–24-year-olds have the highest percentage of at-risk or problem gamblers, followed by 25-44 years-olds.
This session introduces Zepf Center’s innovative idea to partner with the University of Toledo to increase problem gambling and responsible gambling awareness, education and outreach efforts to their college students and collegiate sports fan base by providing this information live, at the game! We hope to share with you how this partnership came to fruition and what successes and challenges we’ve experienced so far. Our goal is to provide you with information, tips, & tricks to challenge you to increase problem gambling outreach at the colleges and universities in your local communities.
Megan Poliquin, LPCC-S, LICDC-GAMB is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with her supervision designation and a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor with her GAMB (Gambling) Endorsement. Megan has been at Zepf Center in Toledo, Ohio since September of 2018 where she started as a Gambling Treatment Counselor. Since 2023 she has been the Manager of Gambling Treatment at Zepf Center. Megan is a 2020 graduate of the Ohio Gambling Treatment Fellowship Program, an intensive year-long, forty-hour educational and supervisory program for clinicians certified in gambling disorder treatment. Megan is passionate about building the gambling treatment workforce and providing supportive supervision. In her spare time, Megan enjoys watching hockey (Go Walleye & Red Wings!), spending time with her husband and two fur babies, Lily & Luna, and planning future vacations!
Allison Huss, LPC, LICDC-GAMB is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor with her GAMB (Gambling) Endorsement. She has been at Zepf Center in Toledo, Ohio since 2023 providing individual and group therapy as a Problem Gambling Counselor. She has also developed a financial literacy curriculum to use in early recovery treatment groups to increase education about financial responsibility and normalize the conversation. In her spare time, she enjoys playing sand volleyball, hanging with friends and family, and painting.
Aubrey Price, LSW, CDCA is a Licensed Social Worker and Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant currently working on her Master’s in Social Work. She has been at Zepf Center in Toledo, Ohio since 2023 providing individual and group therapy as a Problem Gambling Counselor. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging with her family on their farm, reading mystery books, and loving on her three dogs, Mildred, Billie, and Rowa.
Thursday February 27, 2025
Thursday February 27: 9:15-10:30 am
This training provides mental health professionals with essential tools and knowledge to address financial management issues encountered by clients, especially those affected by problem gambling. Led by Dr. Axton Betz-Hamilton, AFC® of GamFin and the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO), the session covers common financial management issues, securing finances and protecting assets and accounts from problem gambling. The presenter will share proven strategies to reduce overall financial harm experienced by people impacted by someone’s gambling disorder.
Axton Betz-Hamilton, a financial counselor and educator, holds a PhD in Human Development & Family Studies, an MS in Personal Financial Planning, and a Graduate Certificate in Financial Therapy. Axton Betz-Hamilton understands the emotional toll of debt and financial trauma through personal experience. Today she helps others who are experiencing financial distress caused by addiction.
thursday february 27: 10:45 am-12:00pm
The Problem Gambling Service Consultation Program has supported agencies in developing, expanding, and sustaining their problem gambling services. Through collaboration, the program has helped agencies establish sustainable frameworks for problem gambling treatment, prevention, and community partnerships. This session will highlight how consultation has enabled two Ohio agencies to enhance their services, strengthen workforce capacity, and align their efforts to make meaningful progress towards their goals.
Natalie Alexander is the Program Manager for the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio. With over 15 years of experience in capacity development, education, change management, and prevention, she is dedicated to addressing community needs through education. Her dedication spans the medical, educational, and nonprofit sectors. In her current role, Natalie leads and supports key initiatives, including the Problem Gambling Service Consultation, Community Readiness Assessment, Prevention Fellowship, and Board Report Analysis and Outreach programs, ensuring service excellence and fostering impactful outcomes.
Ken Holt, LISW-S, LICDC-CS, GAMB is a graduate of the Ohio Advanced Gambling Treatment Fellowship, and has been providing problem gambling services as a clinician and supervisor for over 8 years. Ken is a Behavioral Health Supervisor with Signature Health Inc. where he provides direct care and supervision for group and individual counseling specializing in substance use, mental health, and gambling disorders.
Kristina Latta-Landefeld is the Chief Operating Officer at Envision Partnerships, an OhioMHAS-certified prevention agency in Butler County, Ohio. Kristina and CEO, Lori Higgins, co-wrote the 2nd edition of Minimize Risk ~ Maximize Life: a low-risk drinking curriculum for adults. She lives in Hamilton, Ohio where she serves on several community boards as well as the role of Treasurer for Ohio Prevention Professionals Association (OPPA). Kristina is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Health Education with a focus on the prevention of gambling harms at the University of Cincinnati.
355 E. Campus View Blvd., Suite 285
Columbus, Ohio 43235
Phone (614) 750-9899
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