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Learn how Iowa NIATx partners are simplifying processes, overcoming barriers, and increasing admissions for gambling treatment programs. Discover key strategies, insights, and results from the state walkthrough. Explore valuable contacts for further assistance.
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Action II Campaign WebinarJune 8, 2010 Increase Gambling Admissions A Sure Bet with NIATx
Partners Anne Helene Skinstad, Ph.D PATTC Janet Zwick, Lead Coach, PATTC Bob Kersieck, IDPH Mark Vander Linden IDPH
Iowa Gambling NIATx • Nine programs providing gambling and substance abuse services • Eight of the nine programs had substance abuse NIATx experience • Helpline
Important Iowa NIATx Considerations • Aims and Change Cycles determined by individual programs • Keep It Simple: Keep required program paperwork, state meetings to a minimum • Keep it helpful – coaching calls • Waivers to simplify processes • Programs may use a combined SA/gambling change team • Healthy competition among programs
Key Focus of Iowa NIATx • Increasing admissions different than substance abuse treatment program • Many crisis calls do not convert to a screening or admission. • Gambling treatment resources in Iowa currently underutilized • Continuation through early treatment
Program Barriers • Too much paperwork up front • Often seemed to be more important to complete paperwork than listen to client • Most programs were doing three distinct gambling screens with each client despite being required to only do one. .
Helpline Barriers Initial Issues • Phone not answered • Calls not transferred to programs, gave program phone numbers only • Some programs had gambling counselor on call, others used residential technicians, sometimes voice mail only • Inconsistent role of Helpline
State Approach to Programs • Different roles of coach and state employees • Programs may ask for waiver for NIATx projects • Programs may use combined SA/Gambling change team • No paperwork required for this project • Used existing state data programs only had to collect minimal data • Emphasized that it would be simple • No required meetings--maybe learning session at the end • Minimal funding to participate - $5,000/program
Walkthrough Results for the State • Walk-through forced state staff to see: • How unreasonable paperwork was • State data tool-three pages-overly detailed • Outcome monitoring tool – two pages – very repetitious of the data tool • State licensure requirements are intensive • State staff made commitments: • Reduce repetition • Reduce requirements
Walkthrough Results for Programs • Programs often added to required paperwork • Redundant questions • Multiple mental health/substance abuse screening tools • Multiple problem gambling screening tools • Most programs were taking three-to-four-and-a-half hours to do a gambling intake
Walkthrough Results: Crisis Line • 12/15 weekday calls were transferred directly to program, average of less than two rings before picked up • 4/20 evening/weekend calls were transferred directly to a program • Average time on hold 3.5 minutes • Six of the calls were on hold five minutes or longer. • Other significant problems identified. • Some operators doing free-lance crisis instead of referring
Walkthrough Results: Crisis Calls to Programs • 15/26 calls were handled by a counselor • 13/26 calls were able to get an appointment • 5/26 went to voice-mail • Other significant problems identified • Programs generally did a much better job of handling crisis calls during weekdays than during evenings/weekends
Contacts: Janet Zwick, Lead Coach, Funded by PATTC NIATx Coach 515-270-6509 janetzwick@aol.com Anne Helene Skinstad, Ph.D Program Director, PATTC 319-335-5368 Anne-skinstad@uiowa.edu Bob Kerksieck, LMSW, ACADC Health Facility Surveyor for Gambling Programs Iowa Department of Public Health 515-281-3347 rkerksie@idph.state.ia.us Mark Vander Linden, MSW Executive Officer of the Office of Gambling Treatment and Prevention Iowa Department of Public Health mvanderl@idph.state.ia.us 515.281.8802 1800betsoff.org