WVDHHR > Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease > Focus Areas > Diabetes

Diabetes Self-Management Programs

HPCD and our partners use many approaches to improve rates of chronic disease in West Virginia. One approach is to provide community-based programs and resources for those with or at risk for diabetes. The programs listed in the table below are being implemented in West Virginia.

Diabetes self-management education (DSME) is the process of teaching people to manage their diabetes. The goals of DSME are to control the rate of metabolism (which affects diabetes-related health), to prevent short- and long-term health conditions that result from diabetes, and to achieve for clients the best possible quality of life, while keeping costs at an acceptable level.

To find classes or information in your area, visit the Resource Directory located on our home page.

American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) AADE's Diabetes Education Accreditation Program is based on the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education. Diabetes educators are healthcare professionals – primarily nurses, dietitians and pharmacists – who focus on helping people with diabetes achieve behavior change goals which, in turn, lead to better clinical outcomes and improved health status.	Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP) The Diabetes Empowerment Education Program (DEEP) was developed to provide community residents with the tools to better manage their diabetes in order to reduce complications and lead healthier, longer lives. The Diabetes Patient Education Program is designed as an 8-10 week curriculum for diabetes self-management education. The curriculum is divided into eight modules covering topics that include diabetes risk factors, complications, nutrition, physical activity, use of the glucose meter and medications, building partnerships with a diabetes health care team, psychosocial effects of illness, problem-solving strategies, and how to access community diabetes resources.

Dining with Diabetes Drawing on the strengths of WVU’s many academic disciplines, extension educators target communities’ social, economic, environmental and technical problems. To address diabetes in West Virginia, educators use Dining with Diabetes, a program designed for people with diabetes and their family members. The program consists of a series of three classes that includes learning, demonstrations, and tasting healthy foods. Dining with Diabetes is a grant-funded program offered free to people with diabetes in West Virginia.is a grant-funded program offered free to people with diabetes in West Virginia.	Everyone with Diabetes Counts (EDC) Everyone with Diabetes Counts classes are taught by certified diabetes trainers and are comprised of weekly group sessions that typically last six to ten weeks. Participants are guided to effectively self-manage their diabetes by learning about nutrition, exercise, self-monitoring, diabetes medications and community resources and support, among other important topics. There is no cost to eligible beneficiaries to participate in the program.
Stanford Diabetes Self-Management Program (DSMP) The Stanford Diabetes Self-Management Program workshop is given 2½ hours once a week for six weeks, in community settings such as churches, community centers, libraries and hospitals. People with type 2 diabetes attend the workshop in groups of 12-16. Workshops are facilitated from a highly detailed manual by two trained Leaders, one or both of whom are peer leaders with diabetes themselves. Classes are highly participative, where mutual support and success build the participants’ confidence in their ability to manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives.