Gambling affects people across every community in Minnesota. But the ways people talk about it, seek help for it, and recover from it can look very different depending on who they are, where they come from, and what kinds of support feel safe and familiar.
Standard treatment models (12-step programs, individual counseling, helplines) work well for many people. For others, those approaches may feel distant, culturally mismatched, or simply hard to trust. When that happens, people often don't reach out at all, not because help isn't available, but because the available help doesn't feel like it was made with them in mind.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services funds community organizations across the state through a competitive RFP process to develop gambling support and prevention resources that are designed from within specific communities; by people who understand the culture, the language, the social dynamics, and what makes it hard to ask for help. These partnerships are a core part of how Minnesota makes sure support is genuinely accessible, not just available.
What Community Partnerships Do
Minnesota DHS community grantees develop and deliver a range of work depending on the needs of the community they serve. That work can include:
These are not add-ons to the main program. They are how DHS ensures the full program reaches the full breadth of Minnesotans who need it.
Community Partners at Work
The following organizations are among the community grantees DHS has partnered with to develop culturally grounded gambling support and prevention programming. They represent the kinds of approaches this partnership model makes possible.
MNAPG
Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling
Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling (MNAPG), Minnesota affiliate to the National Council on Problem Gambling, is a non-profit, gambling-neutral organization dedicated to improving the lives of Minnesotans affected by problem gambling. MNAPG is a coalition of individuals and organizations sharing the belief that problem gambling is a serious public health problem that is both treatable and preventable.
MNAPG works to raise public awareness about problem gambling and the stigma that’s often associated with it. They advocate for funding for treatment programs and provide professional training for those who work with problem gamblers. The collective impact of their efforts helps individuals, their families and their communities deal with the devastating effects of problem gambling.
Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota
Community served: Twin Cities Lao and Southeast Asian communities
The Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota (LACM) provides essential, culturally specific outreach and support for Lao-American individuals and families impacted by problem gambling.
Recognizing that language and cultural barriers can often prevent people from seeking help, LACM offers interpretation and translation services to help community members navigate available resources.
Their staff acts as a bridge, connecting individuals to professional counseling and state-funded programs while providing a safe, familiar environment for discussion.
In addition to direct referrals, LACM engages in community education to raise awareness about the risks of compulsive gambling and the "hidden" nature of the disorder. By integrating gambling help with their broader health and social stability services, they ensure that problem gambling is addressed as part of a holistic approach to family and community well-being.
Progressive Individual Resources (PIRI)
Community served: Sub-Saharan African communities in Minnesota
Progressive Individual Resources (PIR) is a St. Paul-based organization that specializes in providing culturally specific prevention and treatment services for Sub-Saharan African immigrant communities.
Their team of bilingual and bicultural professionals understands the unique challenges (such as shame, trust, and cultural taboos) that can prevent people from admitting a gambling problem. PIR offers both outreach education and direct treatment, helping individuals find a path to recovery that respects their cultural heritage and spiritual values.
PIR utilizes a "community-wellness" model to engage community leaders and families in meaningful conversations about the impact of gambling. By offering services that are free of charge through state grants, PIR removes financial barriers and provides a confidential space where community members can seek help for both gambling disorders and co-occurring mental health concerns.
McFarlane Media Interest
Publisher of Insight News
McFarlane Media Interest, the parent company of Insight News, serves as a vital media partner in Minnesota’s efforts to address problem gambling within the African American community. Through targeted public service announcements, educational articles, and community-focused media campaigns, they work to break down the stigma surrounding gambling addiction.
Their outreach efforts are designed to ensure that culturally relevant information about local resources and the state’s 24-hour helpline is accessible to those who need it most.
By leveraging their trusted platform, McFarlane Media Interest helps families recognize the early warning signs of a gambling problem and promotes the availability of free, confidential treatment services. Their work is a key component of the state’s broader mission to provide inclusive, community-centered awareness that speaks directly to the lived experiences of Black Minnesotans.
LifeGate Services
Based in Rochester, LifeGate Services is a community-based organization dedicated to reducing the impact of problem gambling among African immigrant populations in Minnesota.
Their programming focuses on early prevention and the destigmatization of seeking mental health support.
Through their partnership with the Minnesota Department of Human Services, LifeGate Services works to increase awareness of the state’s free treatment options.
Santamaria Broadcasting
Owner of La Raza Minnesota & Amor Radio MN
Santamaria Broadcasting, which operates prominent Spanish-language radio stations like La Raza Minnesota and Amor Radio MN, is a leading voice for gambling awareness in the Latino community. By broadcasting culturally tailored messages and hosting on-air discussions about the signs of problem gambling, they help normalize the conversation around addiction and recovery.
Their media campaigns are specifically designed to reach Spanish-speaking families, providing them with immediate access to information about the 1-800-333-HOPE helpline.
Their work focuses on reducing the "elephant in the room" by encouraging listeners to talk openly about the financial and emotional toll of gambling. By partnering with the Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling, Santamaria Broadcasting ensures that the Latino community is not left behind in the statewide effort to provide life-changing resources and support.
Kaleidoscope
KaleidoScope-Kawm Thiab Siv, LLC is a community-driven dissemination clearinghouse dedicated to translating evidence-based research and health communications in a timely and culturally-responsive manner to the Hmong community.
They are a minority-owned social enterprise composed of two bilingual Hmong health educators and researchers (Kong Mieng Vang, MS and Serena Xiong, MPH) who believe in fostering a more health-informed and health-literate Hmong community.
Together, thier team can effectively manage and deliver culturally-appropriate health-based messages to the Hmong community.
For Community Organizations
If you work with a Minnesota community that is affected by problem gambling (and you believe your organization is positioned to develop culturally grounded outreach, prevention, or support services) Minnesota Department of Human Services' community partnership program may be relevant to you.
Minnesota DHS prioritizes partnerships with organizations that have existing relationships and trust within the communities they serve. You do not need to be a gambling treatment provider to be considered. Prevention, awareness, youth education, and community outreach approaches are all within scope.
What community grantees typically do
Community partnerships with Minnesota DHS can take many forms: Awareness campaigns in community languages, culturally adapted outreach materials, prevention programming for youth or specific populations, training for community leaders and social service professionals, or direct culturally specific support services. The approach is designed around what works for a given community, not a standardized template.
What happens when you reach out?
-
1. You call or text
-
2. A trained counselor responds (not a bot).
-
3. You decide what you want to share.
-
4. They explain options clearly.
-
5. You choose what happens next.