• Understand that family harm is a serious and largely neglected problem.
• Understand the strong legal and public policy basis for reducing harm to families.
• Learn about the range of solutions available to prevent and reduce harm to families

Judith Glynn is a commonwealth scholar and PhD candidate at the Centre of Excellence in Responsible Gaming, University of Gibraltar. Her primary research interest is the role of gambling in society, especially the public policy, legal and regulatory frameworks established to manage gambling and other risk industries, such as tobacco, alcohol and cannabis. Judith was part of a small executive team tasked with the expansion of gambling in Ontario, Canada, in the late 1990s, creating the public policy and legal framework for several large destination casinos, small charity casinos and 17 racetrack slot operations. From 2000-2012 she managed the world’s largest gambling research program at the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre (OPGRC), working with more than 100 international scientists. Judith has worked with government policymakers, regulators, public health agencies, research institutes and industry across Canada, the US and internationally. She is a member of the Research Review Committee for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and the New Jersey Gambling Treatment Diversion Court (GTDC) Advisory Group. Judith speaks English and French, and A2 level Spanish.

• Learn the importance of having a financial/spending plan in place as part of recovery and to prevent relapse.
• Learn about the obstacles to success and techniques to slow financial harm.

Jim Huh worked in the financial services industry for 12 years as an investment advisor. He’s held monthly seminars for new business owners through the Internal Revenue Service and Small Business Administration. He’s provided estate and business planning, and overall financial planning. Jim has lived experience with gambling and has been active in Gamblers Anonymous for the past two decades, where he’s held several positions of service, including as a trustee for Gamblers Anonymous International, and conducted pressure relief meetings for fellow gamblers. Jim has also worked for non-profits and social enterprises, providing resources to people.

• Understand the landscape of problem gambling.
• Explore effective strategies and initiatives.
• Formulate a vision for future action.

Richard Oni is the director of Services and Training at Progressive Individual Resources Inc. (PIRI). He holds a PhD in Health and Human Services Administration, is a licensed mental health professional, and has more than 12 years of experience in mental health service delivery. At PIRI, Dr. Oni providds social and behavioral health services, with expertise in assisting new African immigrant refugee children and families, and facilitating their social adjustment. He emphasizes the importance of addressing the physical and mental health needs of immigrant and refugee families for their integration into society, workforce productivity and parenting quality.

Lucas Patterson, Neighborhood Youth Academy, is a former pro basketball player who founded Minnesota Prep Academy in 2018 and now leads it. Lucas has a solid basketball background, playing for the Minnesota Ripknees in the ABA and training with the Minnesota Timberwolves from 2006 to 2009. He was the top scorer in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for Augsburg and ranked twelfth nationally in scoring in 2005. As a coach, Lucas has helped 50 student athletes secure college scholarships, including 12 Division I players in the last five years. Under his guidance, Minnesota Prep Academy has seen a 100% graduation rate for its high school participants.

Ange Hwang has served as the executive director of Asian Media Access since 1992. Over the past three decades, she has dedicated herself to fostering understanding of diverse communication patterns and crafting public health messages tailored to specific ethnic communities to address health disparities. Asian Media Access, under her leadership, annually reaches more than 150,000 individuals with “bicultural healthy living” messages through various channels including in-person training, community events and online platforms. Ange has spearheaded national initiatives such as “What About Us” and “Bicultural Healthy Living,” aimed at enhancing cultural resilience among Asian American and Pacific Islanders through the creation of educational materials and nationwide training programs.

Moderator: Adina Black, program manager for MNAPG

• Learn to describe important demographic and clinical risk factors associated with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in the context of gambling disorder.
• Learn how to identify risk assessment methods to help reduce the likelihood of a suicide attempt.
• Learn how to engage in safety planning with an individual who reports current suicidal ideation and/or intent.

Dr. Jeremiah Weinstock is a licensed clinical psychologist, professor of Psychology and chair of the Department of Psychology at Saint Louis University. He received his doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Memphis and completed his post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Connecticut Health Center. Dr. Weinstock is an expert in the assessment and treatment of substance-related and addictive disorders with more than 65 scientific publications and research funding from the National Institutes of Health and the International Center for Responsible Gaming. His primary scientific contributions include: (1) refining our conceptualization, assessment and treatment of gambling disorder, and (2) the use of contingency management in the treatment of substance use disorders. Dr. Weinstock also maintains a small clinical practice focused on working with individuals diagnosed with gambling disorder.

• Explore cultural and societal factors that contribute to the prevalence of problem gambling within the Lao community.
• Identify priority areas for intervention and support most needed within the Lao community.
• Develop actionable strategies and partnerships to enhance support systems and create sustainable solutions.

As a member of the Lao community, Cat Nakhornsak expresses an identity shaped by rich history, cherished family traditions, wisdom from elders and fundamental values. Through acknowledging Lao cultural heritage, Cat also acknowledges the integration of gambling practices in Lao identity, and seeks to emphasize the need for awareness, education and empowerment as methods to highlight and understand the role of Lao heritage in the development of problem gambling as a growing community issue.

• Gain a brief history of gambling in the military.
• Understand why service members and veterans are at higher risk for gambling disorder than the general population.
• Learn about the correlation and connection between disordered gambling, suicide and co-occurring mental health challenges
• Learn about the impact of disordered gambling on the service member or veteran, their family and unit readiness, and learn about resources for help.
• Hear a personal, lived-experience account of gambling disorder as both an active service member and as a veteran.

Dave Yeager is an 11-year veteran of the United States Army and in recovery for a gambling addiction. Dave is the host of Fall In: The Problem Gambling Podcast for Military Service Members and Veterans and the author of Fall In: A Veteran with a Gambling Addiction. Dave is a member of the military committee for the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and serves on its board. He is also on the board of directors for the Evergreen Council. Dave uses his story to help raise awareness about gambling addiction and its impact on military service members and veterans. Dave has been a lived experience and veteran advisor for Kindbridge Research Institute since 2020 and began as a trainer and training developer in July of 2023. Dave is also a behavioral health coach with Kindbridge Behavioral Health.