— Programs
Problem Gambling
Community Readiness Assessment Grant
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 focusing on problem gambling.
Based on Community Readiness Assessment results, in fiscal year 2026, grant recipients may be eligible to apply for a second round of funding to focus on developing a problem gambling prevention model and strategic plan.
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, community-appropriate 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.
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 stakeholder 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
Download HereComplete and submit a budget plan. Sample budget can be downloaded by clicking the button below.
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.
