YamhillCounty Health and Human Services
Policies and Procedures Manual

Program / Admin / AMH / Abacus / CD / DD / F&Y / PH / All
Written By: / Rebecca Heuser /

Original Date:

/ 12/3/2013
Revised By: / Bonnie Corns /

Last Revised Date:

/ 01/29/2014
Approved By: /

Approved Date:

OAR/ORS: / OAR 415-56-0040
SUBJECT: / GAMBLING POLICY
NUMBER:

PURPOSE:

Yamhill County Health and Human Services provides prevention and treatment services to individuals who experience problem gambling, or are at risk of being triggered for or developing,problematic gambling behavior. The purpose of this policy is to create a supportive environment where program staff, community partners and clients receiving services feel comfortable and supported in seeking assistance and recovering from problem gambling, or from gambling disorders.
POLICY:

While not all gambling meets the criteria for a gambling disorder, any gambling during work time or using work-related resources to gamble is not an appropriate or acceptable use of work time or resources, and may affect job performance. Yamhill County Health and Human Services explicitly prohibits any gambling while at work. This includes use of Yamhill County e-mail, phone, internet, etc. to gamble.

If an employee is caught gambling on Yamhill County time or using work-related resources, the employee may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, up to and possibly including discharge from employment. In such a case, the employee may be given an opportunity to go to an employee assistance program and/or a licensed problem gambling treatment program for a problem gambling evaluation and treatment if recommended.
DEFINITIONS:

Gambling: Risking something of value in the hopes of obtaining something of greater value (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Gambling is the wagering of money or other valuables on the outcome of events. This includes, but is not limited to, card and dice games, sports pools, lotteries, raffles, and Internet gambling.

Gambling Disorder: Persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behavior leading to clinically significant impairment of distress (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

PROCEDURES:

1. To reduce the negative effects of gambling, no employees may participate in any gambling activity while working or using county-provided equipment. Including, but is not limited to, NCAA tournament brackets, sports betting, fantasy football, Lottery/Powerball pools, etc.

2. Program staff will refrain from discussing or sharing information on their own or others’ wagering activities while on duty.

3. Training and education will be provided to Health and Human Services staff on problem and pathological gambling, the links between gambling and other addictive behaviors, and information on how to access available resources for those who may need assistance.

4. The Oregon Problem Gambling Helpline (1-877-MY LIMIT) resource and treatment information will be posted in easily accessible locations for staff and clients in Health and Human Services buildings.

5. Yamhill County Health & Human Services will be responsible for reviewing and updating the existing policy every five years or as needed.

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