Question: What are the electronic dashboards mentioned?
Answer: The NOFO states: "Monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting of service metrics including an electronic dashboard (via Tableau or Power BI) will be required." The dashboard therefore must include: "The expected performance goals, indicators, targets, baseline data, data collection, and other outcomes the agency expects recipients to achieve (III.i.5.a.)." An example of a dashboard can be found here: Dashboard.
Question: Would approved subcontracts include an external firm who may assist or even do all of the content creation and media buys?
Answer: The applicant is expected to: "Administer IDHS approved subcontracts with organizations or individuals selected to assist with meeting the goals and objectives of the Illinois Department of Human Services' Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery." This could include an external firm assisting with content creation and media buys. Applicants must also consider: "Subcontractor Agreement(s) and budgets must be pre-approved by the Department and on file with the Department. Subcontractors are subject to all provisions of this Agreement. The successful applicant Agency shall retain sole responsibility for the performance and monitoring of the subcontractor."
Question: Can we get specifics, if possible on the baseline for hotline and website impressions and what an increase of 30% is?
Answer: "Provider will collaborate with clinical providers to increase impressions of the gambling hotline and website by 30%." The annual metrics/results will be made available once calculated by the current provider.
Question: What specifically is meant when we say linking with 100% of statewide clinical providers?
Answer: "Provider will link with 100% of statewide clinical providers to collaborate on public awareness campaigns." Clinical providers may need assistance in implementing the statewide campaign at a local level. The statewide campaign may also need clinical providers to assist with campaign objectives, such as Gambling Disorder Screening Day. Clinical providers have specific needs locally which must be represented in the various campaigns. Examples include: engaging all providers monthly with campaign activities and most recent materials, develop screening event opportunities for providers across the state, generate and disseminate materials for providers to use which have the possibility for provider customization.
Question: Will we be able to build the capacity to coordinate outreach efforts for all the gambling clinical providers in the state? (Section 3.5.g.)
Answer: "Provider will develop and coordinate the Problem Gambling Awareness Month campaign for the entire state including all gambling clinical providers' outreach efforts." Applicant organizations will need to consider in the program plan and the budget their capacity to perform all requirements of the NOFO, including engaging all clinical providers in the campaigns.
Question: As stated in the NOFO, What would be considered "specialized" in the goals?
Answer: "Provider will develop and implement at least 3 specialized campaigns for underserved populations." The Statewide Gambling And Problem Gambling Needs Assessment, identifies populations that are impacted by gambling disorder beyond the statewide average. The applicant is expected to develop specialized campaigns that focus on these populations. As additional research and data become available, the applicant will expected to evaluate and adjust the campaign(s) to accommodate new populations and/or information.
Question: Can you share who has held these gambling grants in the past?
Answer: Previous awardees and award amounts are available on the Illinois Catalog of State Financial Assistance website.
Question: Will the Are You Really Winning campaign continue, complemented with other (more focused) campaigns? Or will the AYRW campaign be replaced by a new one?
Answer: It is expected that the AYRW campaign will continue. Sub-campaigns may have alternate themes, but are expected to support the overall AYRW campaign. "Copies of a campaign/program plan and related calendar of events including special promotions campaigns targeting problem gambling issues and/or at-risk populations within 30 days of the start of the fiscal year."
Question: Is it possible to request funding for targeting minority groups within one large minority group such as the Latinx communities? For instance, creating a culturally responsive campaign for the Latinx communities in IL targeting three specific sub-groups such as Latinx with severe and persistent mental illness, Latinx youth, and Latinx LGBTQ+ individuals.
Answer: Yes, this should be included in the Description noted in the NOFO: "Describe how the organization will consider cultural norms and differences in the development and distribution of marketing campaigns. Include how the organization will ensure the provision of materials in multiple languages."
Question: To apply for this grant is it necessary to develop and implement specialized campaigns for three different groups included in the Statewide Gambling and Problem Gambling Needs Assessment, i.e., Hispanic, Asian American, and African American Communities OR it would satisfy the requirements of the proposal if a combination of groups within the same ethnic group is chosen, i.e., youth African American, African American older adults, and African Americans dealing with mental health conditions?
Answer: "Provider will develop and implement at least 3 specialized campaigns for underserved populations. "The Statewide Gambling And Problem Gambling Needs Assessment, identifies populations that are impacted by gambling disorder beyond the statewide average. The applicant is expected to develop specialized campaigns that focus on these populations. The applicant will expected to evaluate and adjust the campaign(s) to accommodate new and/or sub-populations in accordance with new and additional research findings."
Question: Will the current AYRW website and 1-800-GAMBLER number continue functioning or do they need to be replaced by new ones? Is the role of the new grantee to develop such services or to work in collaboration with the current providers?
Answer: The current AYRW website and number will continue under the Gambling Disorder Helpline and Website NOFO (FY26-444-26-2841-01). As stated in the NOFO: "Communicate and collaborate with clinical providers, hotline provider, the Gambling Needs Assessment provider and training provider on their marketing plans and coordinate the execution of the state plan with providers to maximize impact including Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM)."
Question: Does the applicant need to include the design and implementation of a new Statewide Gambling and Problem Gambling Needs Assessment? What would be the specific responsibility of the grantee in regards to a new assessment?
Answer: Research, including a new needs assessment, is the responsibility of the Gambling Disorder Center of Excellence (FY26-444-26-2379-01). The public awareness campaign will support research by engaging individuals in research and communicating the results once published. "Communicate and collaborate with the Gambling Needs Assessment provider on the development of a campaign focused on the completion of follow-up assessments and the second statewide gambling needs assessment."
Question: Should we develop four campaigns (a statewide public awareness campaign + three specialized campaigns for underserved populations) or just three campaigns (focusing solely on the underserved populations)?
Answer: The generalized statewide public awareness campaign is required: "Provider will develop and implement at least 3 specialized campaigns for underserved populations." The Statewide Gambling And Problem Gambling Needs Assessment, identifies populations that are impacted by gambling disorder beyond the statewide average. The applicant is expected to develop specialized campaigns that focus on these populations. As additional research and data become available, the applicant will expected to evaluate and adjust the campaign(s) to accommodate new populations and/or information.
Question: Are letters of support required for subcontractors such as translators, videographers, etc., or is a clear description of this subcontracted work and the project cost sufficient?
Answer: Letters of support are not required for purchased services (e.g., translators, billboards, social media platforms). Letters of support are required for sub-contracted services required by the NOFO (e.g., campaign creation, provider engagement, public outreach by applicant). Also include descriptions of sub-contracted services in the narrative: "Describe what resources and other knowledge, skill, and abilities, relevant to the objectives of IDHS/SUPR regarding gambling disorder services, the applicant lacks and how will the applicant acquire the resources. If the applicant will deliver services via subcontracts, then describe the results of such business relationships and how goals and objectives were accomplished."
Question: Are we permitted to include attachments to the 10-page narrative (e.g., letters of support, additional details about campaign work, etc.)?
Answer: Letters of support are permitted beyond the 10 page maximum. Additional information on the campaign outside of the 10 page maximum will not be considered for scoring purposes.
Question: What about references? Can we include a separate page for references? If not, can we include links to the references in the narrative?
Answer: References can be included either in the narrative or as a separate page beyond the 10 page maximum. However, information outside of the 10 page maximum will not be considered for scoring purposes. So if the reference is needed for scoring it must be in the narrative.
Question: Where do we classify the research in the budget (R&D or misc.)?
Answer: Initial submissions should include research in the miscellaneous section of the budget. This may change after the final applicant is selected and budget reviews are completed.
Question: Do we claim indirect costs on research?
Answer: No
Question: Since specific research topics have not been identified yet, what do we put in the narrative?
Answer: Applicants are welcome to suggest topics they consider appropriate for research, however specific topics will be determined in collaboration with SUPR after the grant has been initiated.
