Clergy / Lay Minister Certification

Prevention Track
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Requirements for Clergy Certification

This certification program trains clergy and lay ministers to assist those struggling with problem gambling. It provides:

  • Essential knowledge: Understanding gambling addiction, treatment, and recovery.
  • Improved skills: Recognizing signs of problem gambling.
  • Family support: Resources and guidance for families affected by gambling addiction.

Through this program, certified individuals can offer:

  • Guidance and support: Spiritual care, educational materials, and hope.
  • Referral services: Connecting individuals with specialized help like certified gambling counselors and support groups.
  • Community outreach: Educating the parish and wider community about problem gambling.
  • Ongoing support: Assisting individuals throughout their recovery journey.

This internationally recognized certification is granted by the International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Organization.

Specialized 12 Hour Training for Clergy and Lay Ministers

The required 12-hour core level training will assist clergy persons in meeting the International Problem Gambling and Gaming Certification Organization (IPGGC) Clergy Certification professional requirements.  The program’s emphasis targets (1) early intervention through prevention education, (2) awareness-outreach, (3) informed, supportive consultation to accompany referral care, (4) spiritual care and (5) recovery support.

Additional Requirements

  • Adherence to a Professional Code of Ethics
  • Recommended Readings
  • Completed, quizzes and/or Individual Class Project (completed and approved)
  • Attendance at one Gamblers Anonymous Meeting and at one Gam-Anon Meeting, and
  • A written reflection of one’s attendance at each Meeting

Payment

$50 application fee 

Recertification

Documented completion of 18 hours of gambling-specific Continuing Education hours every three years following initial Certification

The recertification fee, payable every three years, is $95 for the Clergy/Lay Ministers Certification.

Details and Definitions

Core Curriculum
  • The dynamics and psychology of addiction.
  • Problem gambling defined and described; pathological gambling defined and described; the scope of problem gambling in American society.
  • The impact of problem gambling on families; the components of effective support for the loved ones of gamblers.
  • The financial issues that gamblers and their families/members of the problem face.
  • The goals of problem gambling treatment; the options for treatment.
  • Spirituality and its significant role within the recovery process:the spiritual issues commonly encountered by disordered gamblers and their loved ones.
  • The unique role of certified clergy within the recovery care process.
  • Problem gambling support groups:  GA; Gam-Anon; Celebrate Recovery; others.

    (Note: the clergy certification process does not train clergy to be therapists; rather, clergy will learn about treatment and what individuals in treatment may encounter as they go through the recovery process.)

    Clergy Approved Training Programs

    Indiana

    The Indiana Problem Gambling Awareness Program is part of Prevention Insights at the IU Bloomington, School of Public Health. IPGAP is funded with a contract with the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Indiana Gamblers’ Assistance Fund. For more information, contact Mary Lay, MPH maholtsc@indiana.edu.

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    Examination Information
    REcertification Information