$50,000 Grant Awarded to Lake County ADAMHS Board
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 19, 2022
The Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board
David Schick
Director of Communications
Office: 440-350-2193
$50,000 Grant Awarded to Lake County ADAMHS Board
Lake County, OH: The Ohio Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Prevention and Promotion has awarded the Lake County ADAMHS Board a $50,000 grant to be used to raise awareness of youth problem gambling. The campaign called Change the Game will coincide with the Ohio’s significant change on January 1 due to the start of legal sports betting in the state. Sports betting is the most popular form of gambling nationwide, and it’s only getting bigger. Audiences are regularly bombarded with betting-related media during sports events, and legal bets can now be made through phone apps.
The younger in age someone is introduced to gambling, the more likely they are to develop problem gambling as adults. Exposure to gambling can happen innocently enough, from things like parents betting on sports or buying lottery tickets. Friendly bets and card games with peers at school can further introduce young people to gambling behaviors. Additionally, many of the video games and apps youth play simulate the same excitement experienced by gambling. If problem gambling isn’t halted early, it can have lifelong consequences.
“Research shows that children introduced to gambling by age 12 are four times more likely to develop a gambling problem. The exposure to gambling is moving from a traditional casino setting to our homes or even our living room sofa while families watch their favorite sports teams. We are excited to be the only ADAMHS board in the state awarded this grant”, explained Kim Fraser, Executive Director at the Lake County ADAMHS Board.
The Warning Signs of Youth Problem Gambling:
- Students miss classes or entire school days with no explanation.
- Grades suddenly drop or assignments aren’t being completed.
- Disinterest in extracurricular activities.
- Behavior becomes more secretive, defensive, or aggressive.
- There’s an increased interest in money and the value of possessions.
- They speak openly about an interest in gambling or borrowing money.
The Board will be directing this initiative through the following mediums: The News-Herald advertisements, Laketran buses advertisements, digital billboards, printed posters (to be placed in local Middle and High Schools), social media and a new partnership with iHeartMedia Multi-Platform Group, a digital streaming radio, podcast, and media provider.
Resources available through ChangetheGame.org are designed to educate and inform both youth and adults. For local solutions and services for gambling and mental health please call the Compass Line at 440-350-2000 or go to HelpThatWorks.us.
Here are all the awarded recipients of the grant from the Ohio Center of Excellence:
- Apple of HIS Eye
- CHC Addiction Services: Youth to Youth
- Clermont County Suicide Prevention Coalition
- East Central Ohio ESC
- Butler County Suicide Prevention Coalition
- Fairfield County Suicide Prevention Coalition
- Hamilton County Suicide Prevention Coalition
- Lake County ADAMHS Board
- Legacies Empowered
- Lorain UMADAOP
- Clark County Partners in Prevention
- Portage County Suicide Prevention Coalition
- Montgomery County Prevention Coalition
- Circle Coalition
- Project LIFT Behavioral Health Services
- Addiction Services Council
- Tomcat Bridge Builders
- Trumbull County Suicide Prevention Coalition
About the Lake County ADAMHS Board
The Lake County ADAMHS Board plans, funds, monitors, and evaluates services available to residents who are dealing with mental illness and or substance-use disorders. For more information, please visit www.HelpThatWorks.us.
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Any photo attached is owned by Lake ADAMHS Board and can be used per their permission.
This is a sample Laketran bus ad that will be seen on local Dial-a-Ride buses in Lake County.
