FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
?
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
JIM HORNE
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
CHARLES PATRICK G
JULIA L. JOHNSON
WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
LINDA K. TAYLOR
CONTACT PERSONS
:
Name:
Michele Polland
Helen Lancashire
Phone:
(850) 922-3727
Suncom:
292-3727
E-mail:
Michele.Polland@fldoe.org
hlancash@tempest.coedu.usf.edu
DPS:
05-017
M E M O R A N D U M
To:
District School Superintendents
From:
Jim Warford, Chancellor, K-12 Education
Date:
July 20, 2004
Subject: Problem Gambling Prevention Program
Problem and compulsive gambling among young people is a growing concern in the State of
Florida. While gambling is not a new activity, changes in attitudes and access over the past two
decades have contributed to its newfound status as a prevalent high-risk activity among youth.
According to a 2002 Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) sponsored adolescent
prevalence study (conducted by the University of Florida and funded by the Florida Lottery),
3.8% of Florida adolescents, ages 13-17, are suffering from serious to severe gambling-related
problems and 8.2% are at risk of developing such difficulties in the future unless some type of
intervention measures are undertaken.
JIM WARFORD
K – 12 Chancellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
District School Superintendents
July 20, 2004
Page 2
Currently, little gambling prevention information exists. To respond to this lack of available
information, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling has developed
Problem Gambling
Prevention Program,
a prevention tool geared toward middle and high school youth, educators,
counselors, parents and others associated with problem and compulsive gambling. This program
is a result of a state-funded agreement between the Florida Department of Lottery and the FCCG.
The
Problem Gambling Prevention Program
contains middle and high school gambling
curriculum instructor guides and a middle and high school counselor guide. The purposes of the
curriculum are to bridge the gap in awareness and education of the problem gambling among
youth and to provide knowledge of the risks associated with the activity of gambling. The
FCCG made a concerted effort to facilitate awareness of problem and compulsive gambling in an
educational format that is consistent with Florida Sunshine State Standards requirements across
curriculum, including Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Health and Physical Education
components. The curriculum includes the following information:
•
Risks and consequences associated with gambling
•
Impacts of gambling on individuals, families and society
•
Odds of winning at gambling
•
Effects of gambling on credit and debt
•
Strategies for identifying or assisting someone with a gambling problem
•
Approaches to accessing help for a gambling problem
Copies of the Problem Gambling Prevention Program will be disseminated to Assistant
Superintendents for Instruction, middle and high school principals, and Student Services
Directors.
Copies of the Middle and High School Counselors Guide will be sent to Guidance
Supervisors and Student Service Directors.
To request additional free copies of this program or
to request training, please contact:
Ms. Pat Fowler, Executive Director
Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, Inc.
237 Lookout Place, Suite 100
Maitland, Florida 32751
Telephone: (407) 865-6200
Fax: (407) 865-6103
E-mail:
pfowler@gamblinghelp.org
As educators, we can help to bridge the gap in awareness and education of problem and
compulsive gambling among adolescents and provide knowledge of the risks associated with the
activity of gambling. The Florida Department of Education appreciates your support to help
facilitate information on and implementation of the
Problem Gambling Prevention Program.
District School Superintendents
July 20, 2004
Page 3
This program provides a natural extension to existing alcohol and substance abuse prevention,
education and treatment activities. It may be included in general curriculum areas, Life
Management, and in personal/social development standards of middle and high school guidance
programs.
If you have questions regarding this information, please contact Helen Lancashire.
JW:MP:hl
cc:
?
Adult and Community Education Directors
Area Technical Center Directors
Assistant Superintendents for Instruction
Directors of Secondary Education
Dropout Prevention Coordinators
Exceptional Student Education Directors
Guidance Supervisors
Health Education Coordinators
High School Principals
Middle School Principals
Safe Schools Coordinators
Student Services Directors
Student Services University Trainers
