— Programs

Problem Gambling

Community Readiness Assessment

With support from the Ohio for Responsible Gambling (ORG), Problem Gambling Network of Ohio (PGNO) is partnering with PreventionFIRST! to launch the Problem Gambling Community Readiness Assessment Grant.  This grant aims to equip local communities with the necessary resources and support to assess and improve their readiness to address problem gambling. This project will exclusively focus on conducting a comprehensive community readiness assessment from May to December 2025.


Up to five agencies, coalitions, or community organizations will be awarded a $15,000 grant to utilize the Community Readiness Model within communities with a focus on problem gambling.


Grant recipients for this funding opportunity may be permitted to reapply for Year 2 funding focused on the development of a Logic Model and Strategic Plan based on Community Readiness Assessment results.

What Is The Community Readiness Model?

The Community Readiness Model (CRM) is a framework to assess a community's readiness to address a specific issue and guide the development of effective, culturally relevant interventions. It helps identify the stage of readiness a community is at and provides a roadmap for moving towards more effective change. It ranges from unawareness to active implementation of programs. Understanding readiness ensures efforts are aligned with the community’s current capacity and needs.

How Community Readiness Assessments Are Beneficial:

Conserve resources

It conserves valuable resources (time, money, people) by guiding the selection of strategies that are most likely to be successful and effective

Community involvement

It promotes community recognition, ownership and helps to assure that strategies are culturally congruent and sustainable

manageable steps

Community change can be complex and challenging, but the model breaks down the process into a series of manageable steps

SImple to administer

It doesn’t take professional expertise to administer or score

Collaborate with experts

It encourages use of local experts and resources who understand your community

creates clear direction

It creates a community vision for healthy change.

Community Readiness Assessment Goals

1.  Evaluate

Evaluate the current level of community readiness to address problem gambling

2.  Develop Strategies

Develop a data-driven approach for creating sustainable strategies that align with community capacity to address gambling-related harms

Dimensions of Readiness

Readiness is influenced by factors such as knowledge of the issue, existing efforts, leadership support, and available resources. These dimensions guide how communities are prepared to take action and help shape the approach to creating meaningful change.

Levels of Readiness

This scale helps assess a community’s preparedness and guides strategies to gradually elevate their readiness for action.

In This Process, Grant Recipients Will:

Analyze local data to determine a problem of practice

Select community stakeholders that have a pulse on your community

Conduct structured 30-60 minute interviews with each stakeholders focused on your problem of practice

Transcribe each interview

Score interviews to determine dimension and overall readiness score

Review goals and strategies appropriate for your community based on assessment results

Eligibility Requirements & Expectation of Participants

  • Organizations that apply must be:

    Ohio-based organization, coalition, or community group

    Prevention certified through OHMHAS

    Interested in addressing problem gambling in their community

  • A minimum of 4 team members to fully participate including:

    Team Lead: Oversees the project and conducts stakeholder interviews

    Team Member : Conducts and transcribes interviews

    Team Member 2&3: Score interviews and analyze data

    *Additional Team Members are encouraged, but at least 4 are required


  • Active participation in the community readiness assessment process:

    Mandatory Attendance: Attend all required trainings and meetings (virtual/in-person)

    Active Contribution: Complete assigned tasks (interviews, transcription, data analysis)

    Ongoing Engagement: Communicate challenges, ask questions, and participate in check-ins 

    Outcome Presentation: Present assessment findings 


    Attend Scheduled Meetings & Trainings: 

    • Orientation Meeting (In-person)
    • Learning Community Trainings (In-Person)
    • Mid-Project Progress Check-In (In-person)
    • Outcome Presentation and Graduation (Virtual)

    Monthly Organizational Team Meetings: 

    • Plan stakeholder engagement
    • Conduct interviews
    • Transcribe interview responses
    • Score and analyze data

Project Timeline

May 2, 2025 - December 12, 2025

Specific dates and times for meetings and events can be found in the application

Grant Funds

 Grant recipients will receive $15,000 to cover programmatic expenses such as staff time, travel, documentation and transcription services, data analysis, etc.

To Complete the Application, You'll Need the Following

  • Organizational Information

    Include history, problem gambling focused programs, and accomplishments.


  • Team Member Details

    List of team members and contact information (minimum of 4)

  • Statement of Interest

    Explain  interest and need for the Community Readiness Assessment 


  • Sustainability Plan

    Outline strategies for long-term impact

  • Budget Template

    Complete and submit a budget plan. Sample budget can be downloaded by clicking the button below.

    Download Here

Ready to apply? click the link below!


Please submit your application by noon on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

Selected applicants will be notified by Friday, April 18, 2025.

 

Apply Here

Have questions? Contact: Applications@PGNOhio.org

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