GAMBLERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (GAP) EVALUATION

PPC Team: Mark, Denise, Carmen, Anna, Jenn E., Janell, Noel, JotaPé

6 November 2007

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Overview Introduction: why do we care?AdministrationGeneral Goal of GAPComponents of GAPGAP Expenditures FY06-07Objective Program EvaluationNational Outcome Measures (NOMs) Main FindingsCurrent activitiesQuestions/comments

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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: $200M1. 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.

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Gamblers Assistance Program (GAP)DHHS-Division of Behavioral Health

Administration

Coordinator: Eric Hunsberger, MS

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The general goal of the program is “To reduce the negative impact of problem gambling in Nebraska.”

General Goal of GAP

GAP facilitates:

Access to Services

Treatment Outreach Public Education

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Components of GAP

Initiatives Data Collection System

Workforce Development

Certification

Voucher program

Contract Management

Public Awareness Campaign

Helpline

Helpline data

Magellan data

Other Sources:•Nebraska Risk and Protective Factor Student Survey (NRPFSS)•Mental Health Statistics Improvement Program (MHSIP)

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GAP Expenditures FY06-07

FY07 GAP EXPENDITURES

Training6%

Helpline8%

Prevention 8%

Administration8%

Outpatient63%

Data Collection1%

PPC Evaluation 6%

FY06 GAP EXPENDITURES

Training7%

Helpline10%

Administration7%

Outpatient76%

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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)

Objective Program Evaluation July/2006 – July/2007

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Surveys InterviewsFocus Groups

Consumers Providers Stakeholders

Evaluation tools:

Target population:

Formative and Summative EvaluationFormative Evaluation

Summative Evaluation

Data Sets:

Statistical analysis:

Magellan Data

Helpline Data

Parametric and non parametric

NOMs

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Helpline’s computer

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Helpline Database

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Helpline Database (cont’)

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Helpline Database (cont’)

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Magellan Database

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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

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• 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.

NOMs (cont’)

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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.

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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.

Main Findings (Cont’)

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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.

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• 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

Current Activities

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• Questions and/or Comments?