In 2019, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Office of Problem Gambling Services (OPGS) launched the Community Level Health Project (CLHP) to address gambling-related concerns in the casino-host community of Everett, Massachusetts. The CLHP was an innovative, upstream gambling prevention project centered on the engagement of community stakeholders and multi-sector collaboration. The purpose was to propose and implement a community-level health improvement plan through a community-driven assessment process (Community Level Health Project Everett Massachusetts: Planning Year Report June 2021 ) to identify and address a specific gambling-related health concerns and identify strategies to be implemented at the community level to address those concerns.

Project RISE builds off the lessons learned from the recent Everett Community Level Health Project that elevated behavioral health for immigrant communities as a priority issue within the catchment area of the casino in Everett, Massachusetts (which was later named Project RISE). Project RISE was a two-phased intervention program aimed at building capacity and providing services and prevention programs for behavioral health. In the capacity-building phase, communities were engaged to design interventions centered on racial equity and access to culturally appropriate services. The second phase addressed the four levels of the socio-ecological model with targeted and community-based services and programs, prevention, and policy work. As a result of this intervention, Massachusetts adults and families within the catchment area of the Everett casino received culturally and linguistically appropriate services. Project RISE built a foundation for providing ongoing emotional wellness services for immigrant communities and enhancing their sense of belonging.

The purpose of this project is to build capacity within community-based organizations to promote and distribute problem gambling resources to immigrant families to raise awareness of the risks associated with problem gambling. The goal is to provide Massachusetts families with information and resources that are culturally and linguistically appropriate. This is done by providing capacity building and technical support to community-based organizations (CBOs), who provide problem gambling information and resources to their communities. CBOs can help raise awareness and increase education around the harms associated with gambling and related issues, are knowledgeable about their community, and can serve as a resource repository to assist families in navigating complex systems where they may be seeking support. CBOs and their Family Systems Navigation can be a powerful tool to reduce disparities and increase more timely access to local community resources (such as sharing information about local organizations offering education or support services for immigrant families, promoting support groups or programs, programs offering alternative activities to reduce or prevent program gambling, transportation, and additional services families may be seeking) for those in need. Comprehensive efforts and strategies are required to address the current challenges among at-risk populations to prevent and mitigate harm associated with gambling and related issues.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health Office of Problem Gambling Services currently funds the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center to implement Project RISE 2.0.