Office of Problem Gambling and Prevention
The Office of Problem Gambling Prevention (OPGP) provides prevention and education services to increase community awareness of problem gambling and develop strategies to address this public health concern in the City of Springfield, MA. OPGP is a program of the Springfield Department of Health and Human Services.
Services Offered:
- Presentations about problem gambling for community groups and organizations.
- Development and management of programs and educational services to raise awareness of the risks associated with problem gambling.
- Assess the Springfield community’s awareness and understanding of problem gambling.
- Engage community residents, community organizations in problem gambling awareness and prevention activities.
- Build the capacity of community-based organizations to provide education and awareness related to problem gambling.
- Identify Grant Funding and Other Resources to Increase Problem gambling Education and Awareness in the City of Springfield.
- Build collaboration with other organizations to advance Problem gambling Prevention in Springfield, MA.
Past Programs of OPGP –
Community Health Worker’s Problem Gambling Pilot Program
From 2019 – 2022 OPGP received funding from the Office of Problem Gambling Services of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to support the Community Health Workers (CHWs) Pilot Program.
CHWs interviewed over 150 community residents and leaders about problem gambling and other health issues in the City of Springfield.
The findings of this work will be available on the Springfield Department of Health and Human Services website or by contacting Theresa Glenn, POPGP Program Coordinator.
In addition to this work, CHWs engaged and provided education to Springfield residents about the harms related to gambling as well as provided referrals to health related resources, and services. This initiative is the first to employ CHWs to address problem gambling education and related issues, locally and nationally.