Promoting Problem Gambling Treatment Services

This training will provide valuable guidance and insight on effective ways to promote your organization’s problem gambling services in your community. Participants will step away with ideas and strategies for disseminating promotional materials. This training is interactive. We expect participants to come to the training prepared to engage in creative discussion, ideally with cameras on and microphones functioning.

Cost: Free

Location: Virtual

Number of CE(s): 1

Instructional Level: Introductory. This training includes breakout rooms and other interactive aspects. This training counts toward the MA PGS Certificate Fundamental Coursework. 

Agenda

• Problem Gambling 101
• Promotion Best Practices
• Skills Practice: Fix the Mistake
• Exploring Massachusetts Health Promotion Clearinghouse Resources
• Additional Resources

Learning Objectives: 

As a result of completing this training, you will be better prepared to…

1. Explain key messages for promoting problem gambling awareness and services.
2. Describe community and audience factors to consider when creating promotional materials. 
3. Apply best practices to design and improve promotional materials using non-stigmatizing language and imagery.

Instructor Bios

Instructor #1: Shantel Mercedes, MPH; Shantel Mercedes is a Program Associate for Health Resources in Action and works on the Training and Education team for M-TAC. She has 2 years of experience working in the gambling addiction field and has facilitated online trainings on a variety of topics pertaining to Gambling Disorder. She is particularly interested in the cultural significance and influence regarding common problem gambling behaviors. She has a BA in Public Health and Health Equity from Mills College and a Master’s in Public Health from Simmons University. 

Instructor #2: Kira Landauer, MPH; Community Health Educator Supervisor at the Division on Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance and member of the Training & Education Team at the Massachusetts Technical Assistance Center for Problem Gambling Treatment. Ms. Landauer has developed and facilitated live trainings and online courses on a variety of topics pertaining to Gambling Disorder (with a particular focus on screening for Gambling Disorder) for Massachusetts social workers, mental health and addiction specialists, allied health professionals, recovery and support providers, and others. Ms. Landauer manages Gambling Disorder Screening Day—an international grassroots movement started by the Division on Addiction at Cambridge Health Alliance to support and encourage providers to screen clients for Gambling Disorder. She received her Master of Public Health from Boston University School of Public Health in 2019 and completed a Learning Design and Technology Graduate Certificate from Harvard Extension School in 2024.

Instructor #3: Maya A. Williams-Bond-Jackson LMHC, CCTP-II, MA PGS II, ADHD-CCSP, CCATP; Maya is an Integrative Clinical Therapist who advantageously became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 10 years of experience working with various populations nationwide. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the illustrious Clark Atlanta University, a historically black college and university (HBCU) in Atlanta, Georgia. Maya then sought to earn her master’s degree in clinical psychology and graduated from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Maya provides integrative therapeutic care at her private practice with an emphasis on neurodivergency, complexities of trauma, gender and sexual identity, affirmation, and expression, anxiety and mood disorders, chronic medical conditions, and impulsivity. As a Clinical Consultant for the M-TAC organization, she supports and develops educational contact primarily focusing on psychoeducation about Gambling Disorder and its biopsychosocial layers.

Approval Statements

• NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals – This course has been approved by the Division on Addiction, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #84058, the Division on Addiction is responsible for all aspects of the programing.
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW) – This program has been approved for 1.0 Social Work Continuing Education hours for relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number D10615-2.
• Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) – The Massachusetts Technical Assistance Center for Problem Gambling Treatment is authorized by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to sponsor, conduct or approve continuing education programs for alcohol and drug counselors/assistants (LADCs). This program offers 1.0 continuing education credit. 

Funding Statement: The Division on Addiction and Health Resources in Action collaborate to produce M-TAC trainings, courses, and resources, which are funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Problem Gambling Services. The instructors have no financial interests that might create a conflict of interest in the development or delivery of this training. Click here to access our full list of our funders and conflict of interest/grievance policies and procedures.