Kaleidoscope | Fall 2021

Juan Baez

Problem Gambling Specialist (Kansas) and Co-Chair of National Council on Problem Gambling Prevention Committee

Juan Baez is a Problem Gambling Specialist with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability. He worked previously as an outpatient counselor, in the gaming industry as a training specialist, and as a targeted case manager with a behavioral health agency. Juan graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Fort Hays State University. He is a licensed addictions counselor, Provisional Kansas Certified Gambling Counselor, and holds an International Gaming Disorder Certificate. He is bilingual and has an abundance of experience working with immigrant populations. He also holds leadership positions in various committees with the National Council on Problem Gambling and Midwest Consortium on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse.

Alexia DeLeon, PhD

Program Director- Professional Mental Health Counseling–Addictions Specialization at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon

Alexia DeLeon, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Professional Mental Health Counseling-Addictions Specialization at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. She is the director and co-clinical coordinator for this program. She previously served as a consultant for Lewis & Clark’s Latino Problem Gambling Services. In her previous role as the Founding Director of this culturally responsive program for Latinx families impacted by gambling, she helped launch and build the program through strategic outreach within Latinx communities in Portland and surrounding areas. The program was very successful and helped serve over 100 Latinx clients who gamble and their family members while in operation. She is now a consultant for diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as gambling related issues for Latinx communities. She focuses her research on how to better serve Latinx communities impacted by mental health and addiction. She travels around the nation to provide consultation for other organizations providing gambling treatment that are interested in launching culturally specific programs for Latinx communities.

Ruth Yáñez, MSW

Program Specialist, National Latino Behavioral Health Association, National Hispanic and Latino ATTC 

Ruth Yáñez graduated from New Mexico State University and she currently holds a master’s degree in social work with a concentration in Generalist Studies. She currently works at the National Latino Behavioral Health Association and the National Hispanic and Latino Addiction Technology Transfer Center where she serves as a Program Specialist. She considers herself to be a bilingual bicultural professional, providing services in both Spanish and English. Her native tongue is Spanish, and this has enabled her to communicate with her Latino community in extensive ways. Ruth has had extensive experience in working with the immigrant Latino community. Before working in her current position, she worked in a medical setting. There she offered interpreting services as well as case management services. Ruth also worked in forensics doing transitions planning and connecting returning citizens to community resources. As a former immigrant herself, Ruth continues to advocate for her Latino Immigrant community to have equitable access to healthcare and behavioral health services.  

National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA):

http://nlbha.org/

National Hispanic Latino Addiction Transfer Center (ATTC): https://attcnetwork.org/centers/national-hispanic-and-latino-attc/home

• Join our Juntos Network to be notified first hand of all of our events and also to have access to our Guide and eCompendium of Evidence-Based Programs: http://nlbha.org/index.php/ebp

• ATTC Problem Gambling Fact Sheet: English – Português – Español

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services

Behavioral Health Services – Problem Gambling Task Force: https://www.kdads.ks.gov/commissions/behavioral-health/problem-gambling-coalitions-and-task-force

• Know Your Limits – Español

• Problem Gambling brochure – Responsible Gambling – Español

• Problem Gambling Brochure – Voluntary Exclusion – Español

Latinx & Gambling/Addiction Related Resources

• A listing of books, social media, and podcasts

Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling – Washington State

• Problem Gambling Helpline brochure – Español:  PAUSA. RESPIRA. CONECTA. Recuerda que no estas solo. 
• ECPG Spanish webpage and PSA: evergreencpg.org/es 
• Gambling Therapy Spanish webpage: Gamblingtherapy.org/es  
• UCLA, Freedom From Problem Gambling workbook, available in Spanish and 18 other languages 
• Gambling screens – Español
  • Breve exploración biosocial de apuestas y juegos (BBGS en inglés): 4 preguntas 
  • Jugadores Anónimos – Veinte Preguntas 
  • Índice de gravedad del problema de los juegos de azar (en inglés PGSI) 
  • Mentira / Apuesta 
  • South Oaks Gambling Screen [SOGS: ESPAÑOL] 
  • ¿VIVES CON UN JUEGADOR COMPULSIVO?- 20 Preguntas [Gam-Anon] 

National Hispanic Heritage Month – September 15 – October 15

“National Hispanic Heritage Month traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries.”

Learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month by visiting www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov