Grants

The Stacked Deck Youth Prevention Mini Grant

A 2011 Youth Behavior Risk Survey in North Carolina found that 33% of 9th and 12th graders reported some gambling behaviors. To prevent youth from experiencing problems related to gambling the NCPGP offers mini grants ranging from $1,800 to $5,000 to implement an evidence-based program called Stacked Deck to middle schools, high schools and community-based at-risk programs. All instructors are trained in the curriculum and provided with tools to be successful.

Stacked Deck is effective in preventing and reducing the risk of problem gambling among teens and young adults. The evidence-based curriculum was researched by Robert Williams, Ph.D, and Robert Wood, Ph.D, then published in 2010 and updated in 2021. Offered in five to six sessions that run from 35 to 45 minutes each, the program is aimed at changing gambling-related attitudes, knowledge, beliefs and practices. The Stacked Deck curriculum is heavily interactive and includes activities such as role-playing. Participants have designed posters and produced videos with prevention gambling messages. In addition, the curriculum includes take-home “family pages” to engage family members in the program. Participating students are given a pre- and post-curriculum survey.

The application period is rolling; however, most applications are submitted by August 30 of each year. Forty grants are available each State Fiscal Year (July 1 – June 30). Please inquire regarding the availability of grants if you apply after the soft deadline.

The links below include more information on the grant, including guidelines, the application, and examples of outreach from past grant applicants.

Please contact Alison Drain at alison.drain@dhhs.nc.gov or 919-800-8482 with any questions.

Stacked Deck flyer pdf >

FY 2020 Student Pre- and Post-Intervention Results PDF >

Stacked Deck guidelines pdf >

Stacked Deck scoring pdf >

Stacked Deck application >

Stacked Deck Grant Information 2021-2022

Stacked Deck FY2019 Report

Stacked Deck Grant Scoring System

  • Lexy Daniels was a poster competition winner from Robbinsville high School in 2019

  • Poster winners from Murphy Middle School 2019

  • Danielle was a winner from the Delta House in 2019

  • “Few students have had the opportunity to explore the silent, hidden addiction of gambling. Stacked Deck is a thought- provoking, relevant curriculum; lessons are fun but very powerful! The dialogue between facilitator and students is engaging and comprehensive. It’s easy to collaborate with a variety of disciplines to present the content.”

    — Judy Cluett, School Counselor, Heide Trask High School

  • “Gambling addiction is real, and it’s happening here. While learning the Stacked Deck curriculum, I learned that my classmate’s mother had a scratch-off ticket problem. Her addiction drove her to take out money from their savings account and it almost devastated her family until she got help.”

    — Cody McBride, Student, Heide Trask High School

  • “The Stacked Deck curriculum has had a tremendous impact at Starmount High School. It is important to inform our students of the danger of taking part in such actions and the epidemic that is growing. Some may see gambling as fun and entertaining, but our school is determined to bring awareness to the problem of gambling.”

    — Elbert Thomas, School Counselor, Starmount High School

NCPGP University and College Prevention Mini-Grant

The NCPGP offers mini grants up to $5,000 to universities and colleges to promote problem gambling education and outreach to students, faculty and staff.

The program encourages higher education facilities to provide screening for problem gambling, outreach programs, educational events, by-intervention training, and policy changes to include a campus-wide policy on gambling.

Colleges and universities across North Carolina receive grant funding to increase outreach events and raise awareness of the problem gambling services available. Grantees are encouraged to collaborate across departments and programs, for example, to create outreach materials, co-host events and engage in screening efforts.

The application period is rolling; however, most applications are submitted by August 30 of each year. A limited number of grants are available each State Fiscal Year (July 1 – June 30). Please inquire regarding the availability of grants if you apply after the soft deadline.

The links below include more information on the grant, including guidelines, the application and examples of outreach from past grant applicants.

Please contact Alison Drain at alison.drain@dhhs.nc.gov or 919-800-8482 with any questions.

University and College flyer pdf >

University and College guidelines pdf >

University and College scoring pdf >

University and College application >

  • Louisburg College – Don’t gamble with my heart goody bags 2021 – given out at an event

  • UNC – G Screening Event PGAM tabling pick 2019

  • ECSU – flyer 2021

  • “We utilized the grant to create a student PSA, held a graphic design competition and created promotional T-shirts that are quite popular with our students! Our primary goal with the grant has been to garner peer supported learning about problem gambling and to empower students with knowledge and resources to increase awareness among their families and within their community. Problem gambling is indeed more than a game.”

    — Marbeth Holmes, Director of Student Wellness, Nash Community College

  • “Last semester, a presentation was given to my graphic design class followed by details about a logo competition for a T-shirt for the NC Problem Gambling Program. During the presentation, I learned that gambling addicts are not just those who gamble in poker, and I realized that a member of my family has been a gambling addict for years and my family never recognized it. I informed my relatives about the presentation from class. When I found out that I was the winner for the competition and I was going to have my design on the T-shirts, my family immediately wanted a T-shirt for my relative with the gambling problem. The North Carolina Problem Gambling Program is an amazing program for anyone at any age to seek out support to help with their gambling addiction. I am very lucky to have this program available on campus as well as am honored to have my design associated with the program.”

    — Emely Morales, Student, Nash Community College

  • “The college mini-grant allowed UNC Wilmington to implement a late-night, St. Patrick’s Day-themed educational event with a creative and interactive spin. With a team of several student affairs offices coming together to promote the motto “Don’t Bet Your Life On Luck,” awareness in our community on problem gambling addiction can only grow! The program is an important developmental experience as it aligns with the institution’s vision to inspire intellectual curiosity within the student body.”

    — Darion Bayles, UNCWeekends Graduate Assistant, University of North Carolina - Wilmington