The document describes a successful partnership model used by MGHP to address problem gambling in culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The model involves: 1) Conducting a needs analysis and service mapping to identify a target community. 2) Inviting key community organizations to become partners. 3) Forming a partnership and advisory group through a Memorandum of Understanding. 4) Providing funding to support community participation. The model was applied successfully with the Karen community in Melbourne, reducing gambling risks. Factors contributing to the Karen partnership's success included allowing time to build trust, being flexible, clarifying roles, and providing financial support to the community agency.

1. learnings from the
karen partnership project
produced by siri gunawardana | november 2013 | MGHP
a case study

2. purpose of the case study
the model
MGHP partnership model draws on community
development principles, which encourage community
empowerment and the development of trust and
relationships between two or three partners.
The steps in developing the partnership are as follows:
1. The process begins with a needs analysis
using all accessible data, which includes defining a
catchment area, identifying culturally and linguistically
diverse communities (CALD) at risk and ensuring that
no previous problem gambling interventions have
been undertaken. A potential target community is then
selected.
2. A service mapping exercise is conducted,
identifying all relevant agencies used by the
target community. A snowballing methodology is
recommended as many community organisations are
not available through public listings.
3. Key organisations are invited to become
a partner. An appropriate organisation has direct
relationships with the target community, has capacity
to commit to the project and is interested in addressing
problem gambling in the community. A diverse range
of organisations have worked on these partnership
projects including ethno-specific welfare services,
community groups and religious organisations.
4. A partnership is formed between the
target community organisation, MGHP and key
service providers through a signed Memorandum of
Understanding. These organisations form the executive
group to oversee the project.
5. To ensure full participation, a grant is
provided to the target community organisation to cover
the costs associated with dedicated staff hours for
participation in project activities.
6. A broader advisory group of key community
stakeholders is also formed. Then through a dynamic
and evolving process, advisory group members
contribute their expertise to plan, implement and
evaluate a range of tailored and culturally appropriate
strategies to address presenting issues.
The application of this model has been successful in
reducing the risk of problem gambling in a number of
culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
the karen partnership project
The project began after concern voiced by settlement
workers and members of a Karen women’s group
that community members were at risk of developing
gambling problems. The partnership was strengthened
by the diverse skills and resources of the partners and
their willingness to share their expertise and resources.
The project started small and escalated as over a
number of years as the awareness and capacity of the
community grew. The first year of the project focused
on community education and raising awareness.
The second year of the project focused on developing
and disseminating a Karen problem gambling DVD, and
reaching disengaged men. A new project worker and
advisory group were recruited for each year of the year
of the project.
factors contributing to the partnership’s
success
allowing time for the process
Community organisations need to be approached
well in advance of starting a project. Rapport and
trust between service providers and community
members must be built over time. For example,
some communities are not comfortable in discussing
stigmatised issues, such as gambling, at the beginning
of a relationship and it can take a number of meetings
before substantive project planning can begin.
To conduct a skills assessment of advisory group
members can help identify the levels of support needed
This case study is designed to share the key learnings of working in partnership with a culturally
and linguistically diverse community. It draws specifically on the experiences of a partnership
with the Karen community located in the Wyndham municipality of Melbourne, Australia to
reduce the risk of gambling related harm. This partnership was between the Centre for Culture
Ethnicity and Health (Multicultural Gambler’s Help Program - MGHP), Gambler’s Help Western,
Health West Partnership and New Hope Foundation, with funding from Victorian Responsible
Gambling Foundation. It was successful in developing a community specific problem gambling
response and raising awareness about problem gambling to more than 1,000 community
members.
For further details about the project see the evaluation report Learning about Partnership and
Engaging a CALD Community from the Karen Project (CEH 2013). Health West Partnership has
also produced Working Effectively with the Karen Community: a Service Provider Resource.

3. for them to participate fully. In the Karen partnership
some advisory group members did not have an
understanding of what is expected from an advisory
group and so the lead agency developed plain English
documents and the role of the advisory group was
regularly clarified.
being flexible
To adopt a participatory approach involves shared
decision making over the life of the project with the
community. The Karen partnership project developed
a community specific problem gambling DVD. Service
providers normally would screen it as part of a
community education session. However, as soon as
the DVD was produced, the advisory group began
screening the DVD at their community and religious
meetings. The project partners needed to adapt their
practice to be inclusive of this approach.
Memorandum of Understanding
MGHP formalised partnerships through a memorandum
of understanding (MOU) which clarifies the roles
of each partner agency and the decision making
processes. The MOU assists to acknowledge the work
of each partner and commit to on-going representation
to the project.
financial support to CALD community agency
Many CALD community organisations and groups are
poorly resourced and often run by volunteers. Providing
financial support to the community agency can help
sustain their participation. In the Karen partnership
project funds were provided to allow for a dedicated
Karen project worker.
For further information on working partnership with
CALD communities contact CEH on (03) 9418 9929
or visit our website www.ceh.org.au
the advisory group
the karen community cup
a karen story DVD launch

4. The Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and
Health (CEH) is a unique agency that
provides specialist information,
training and support on cultural
diversity and wellbeing.