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2019 Jeffrey M. Beck Scholarship

Honoring a Maryland Clinician for their Commitment and Passion in Providing Gambling Disorder Treatment to Individuals and their Families

Overview

Jeffrey (Jeff) M. Beck held the position of the Center’s Clinical Director from March, 2015, to March, 2018.  Although his passing on March 10, 2018, was unexpected, his legacy of commitment and passion to provide hope and help to those who were struggling with the gambling addiction will endure. During Jeff’s tenure at the Center, he demonstrated his compassion and knowledge about gambling disorder through presentations and trainings to clinicians and providers throughout the state. He worked one-on-one within agencies and private practices to assist in integrating problem gambling counseling into existing addiction practices and treatment.  Jeff’s dedication to recovery was boundless as evident in his work with Gamblers Anonymous and one-on-one counseling.  Jeff worked tirelessly here in Maryland and with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) providing valuable insight into “industry” trends to keep those who gamble safe and to help ensure resources for those who need help.

Funded by the Beck family, each year the Center honors a Maryland clinician through the “The Jeffrey M. Beck Scholarship.” The scholarship recipient has demonstrated a continuing commitment and passion to integrate counseling for gambling disorder within mental health and/or substance abuse services and demonstrates ongoing engagement with the Center and displays a continuing interest and pursuit of problem gambling awareness, prevention, recovery and treatment.

The Center once again acknowledges with deep appreciation the 2018 Scholarship Recipient, Emily C. Needles, LCPC, LPCMH, NCC, MAC, for her continued commitment in providing help and hope to those and their families struggling with gambling addiction.

Scholarship Includes:

-All expense trip for the Scholarship Recipient to the 33rd National Conference on Gambling Addiction & Responsible Gambling to be held on July 19-20, 2019 in Denver, CO (including conference registration fee, air fare, hotel accommodations, and misc. travel expenses).

-Acknowledgement and Award presented at the Annual Maryland Conference on Problem Gambling to be held on June 14, 2019.

-Scholarship Award Recipient listed on the Center’s website.

Criteria for Scholarship Award:

-Active practitioner (social worker, psychologist, professional counselor or alcohol and drug addiction counselor), either in an agency or private practice, with current Maryland license.

-An active and confirmed participant (either as a private practitioner or as part of an organization) in the Problem Gambling Reimbursement Program through Beacon Health Options and funded by the Maryland Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration to provide “No Cost Treatment” to individuals and their families.

-Currently listed on the Center’s Problem Gambling Provider Referral Network Directory.

-A minimum of 30 hours of Problem Gambling Clinical Training.

-Demonstrates ongoing engagement with the Center and in the field of problem gambling prevention, treatment and/or recovery.

-Availability to travel to/from BWI-Denver, CO between July 18-21, 2019 and attend the two-day Main Conference (July 19-20).

Application and Selection Process

To access and complete the online application form, click here.

-Submissions must be received online no later than Friday, May 17, 2019.

-Submissions will be reviewed by the Center and a Scholarship Recipient will be selected based on the outlined Scholarship Award Criteria.

-The Scholarship Award Recipient will be notified on or before Friday, May 24, 2019.

-The Scholarship Award Recipient will be announced at the 7th Annual Maryland Conference on Problem Gambling, June 14, 2019, and is strongly encouraged to attend to receive the acknowledgement.

-Note: there is no monetary substitution if the selected Scholarship Recipient cannot attend the National Conference July 18-21, 2019. The 2019 Scholarship Award is only valid for the 2019 National Conference.

If you have any questions regarding this Scholarship or the application and submission process, please contact Donna Gaspar at 667-214-2120 or dgaspar@som.umaryland.edu.