Collective Impact continues to work with Washington Drug and Alcohol Commission (WDAC) and Greene County Drug and Alcohol Program on their problem gambling initiatives. With the increased availability of legalized gambling in Pennsylvania comes increased concern regarding the individual and social costs of problem gambling. The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) is addressing this concern by increasing problem gambling prevention, education and outreach efforts throughout the state. Problem gambling prevention activities are intended to increase awareness of problem gambling within the general public; inform teachers, policy makers, and other professionals about the impact of problem gambling on the family unit, schools and communities; and educate at-risk populations such as college students, youth, and older adults about risk and protective factors in an effort to prevent problem gambling.

Along with 6 other community leaders from Huntington, WV, Bruce Decker participated in the four-day Center for Community Progress Leadership Institute (CPLI) at Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Collective Impact was the catalyst for organizing the opportunity. CPLI is a prestigious seminar that equips community leaders with the skills they need to make positive changes in their approaches to vacant, abandoned and problem properties, tackle blight and spark revitalization. The Institute brings together delegations from multiple cities across the United States for intense leadership and technical training under the guidance of national experts. The Huntington delegation was one of 8 communities to be selected to attend this prestigious seminar focused on learning innovative strategies for the productive reuse and revitalization of vacant, abandoned, and blighted residential and commercial properties.

I was very impressed and comfortable with the way Bruce presented the materials and got us involved and productive. I especially liked the variety of ways he introduced the various topics and how he directed us into different ways to think about the topics without being authoritarian. I was surprised at the inclusion of our statewide partners in the planning process as I did not expect that to be appropriate since we had not experienced that approach before. However, I was very pleased with this and thought it was a most productive day.  Bruce’s leadership facilitated a most congenial and relaxed working environment. I was pleasantly surprised at how well and enthusiastically we all worked together. All of Bruce's approaches were user friendly, operationally appropriate, and facilitated positive results in a painless manner. I would most definitely recommend Bruce to other organizations that may need this same assistance. ~ William Lindley, NWVCIL Board President, Morgantown, WV

This video uses simple language and charming illustrations to explain just what we facilitators do! In only 4 minutes the video describes the three principal dimensions of the facilitator´s job in a way that your friends, colleagues, clients -- even your mother-in-law - can understand. Click here!