GAMBLERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (GAP) EVALUATION

1. GAMBLERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (GAP) EVALUATION PPC Team: Mark, Denise, Carmen, Anna, Jenn E., Janell, Noel, JotaPé 6 November 2007

2. Overview • Introduction: why do we care? • Administration • General Goal of GAP • Components of GAP • GAP Expenditures FY06-07 • Objective Program Evaluation • National Outcome Measures (NOMs) • Main Findings • Current activities • Questions/comments

3. Introduction: Why do we care? Pathological Gamblers: • 1.14% U.S. adult population is affected = 2.25 million people1. • Nebraska adult population affected = 17,741 • U.S. Social Costs: $25.3B2 • Nebraska Social Costs: $200M • Shaffer et al. (1997). Estimating the Prevalence of Disordered Gambling Behavior in the United States and Canada: A Meta Analysis. Boston: Harvard Medical School. 2. Grinols, E. (2004). Gambling in America. Costs and Benefits. Cambridge: University Press.

4. Administration Gamblers Assistance Program (GAP) DHHS-Division of Behavioral Health Coordinator: Eric Hunsberger, MS

5. GAP facilitates: Access to Services Public Education Treatment Outreach General Goal of GAP The general goal of the program is “To reduce the negative impact of problem gambling in Nebraska.”

6. Components of GAP Data Collection System Initiatives • Helpline data • Magellan data • Workforce Development • Certification • Voucher program • Contract Management • Public Awareness Campaign • Helpline • Other Sources: • Nebraska Risk and Protective Factor Student Survey (NRPFSS) • Mental Health Statistics Improvement Program (MHSIP)

7. GAP Expenditures FY06-07

8. Objective Program Evaluation July/2006 – July/2007 Objective of the evaluation: • Assess the internal structure and data collection system of the program. • Internal Structure: Formative Evaluation • Data Collection System: Summative Evaluation (a.k.a. Outcome Evaluation)

9. Evaluation tools: Surveys Focus Groups Interviews Target population: Summative Evaluation NOMs Helpline Data Magellan Data Data Sets: Consumers Providers Stakeholders Statistical analysis: Parametric and non parametric Formative and Summative Evaluation Formative Evaluation

10. Helpline’s computer

11. Helpline Database

12. Helpline Database (cont’)

13. Helpline Database (cont’)

14. Magellan Database

16. National Outcome Measures (NOMs) • SAMHSA. Measuring outcomes to improve services • Reduced morbidity • Decreasing involvement with the criminal justice system • Improving social connectedness to others in the community • Increased access to services for both mental health and substance abuse. • Retention in substance abuse treatment

17. NOMs (cont’) • Finding safe and stable housing • Getting and keeping a job or enrolling and staying in school • Client perception of care • Cost-effectiveness • Use of evidence-based treatment practices.

18. Main Findings • Provider Focus Groups and interviews • Training and certification offered by GAP is widely valued by providers. • Data entry to the online system was described as a significant source of frustration. • Consumer Survey • Nearly 90% of the consumers ranked GAP services as “Excellent.” • Nearly two-thirds of consumers found that all GAP services received were useful.

19. Main Findings (Cont’) • Helpline data: • Proportion of younger callers (ages 18-25) has doubled in the last four years from 6% in 2001 to 12% in 2006. • Magellan data: • People who received both individual and group treatments were significantly more likely to complete treatment than those receiving only group or only individual treatment.

20. Main Findings (cont’) • Magellan Data (cont’): • Single males are two times more likely to engage in gambling activities than single women. • Men begin gambling at a significantly younger age than women.

21. Current Activities • Prevention Program: Garfield, Loup, and Wheeler counties gambling prevention program evaluation (GLW Children’s Council Inc.) • Technical Assistance: Helpline MS Access database • Biannual Report and Final Report

22. Questions and/or Comments?