The Texas Diabetes Council addresses issues affecting people with diabetes in Texas and advises the Texas Legislature on legislation that is needed to develop and maintain a statewide system of quality education services for all people with diabetes and health care professionals who offer diabetes treatment and education.
Notice: Texas Diabetes, the Newsletter of the Texas Diabetes Council, is no longer available in print.
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Featured Professional Resources:
Diabetes Tool Kit
The Diabetes Tool Kit is an educational resource for healthcare professionals who work with patients who have diabetes. It includes treatment guidelines and algorithms developed by TDC medical advisory committees as well as handouts which may be copied for use in patient education. A PDF version of the Fifth Edition is currently available for download and printing at tdctoolkit.org.
Copies of the tool kit (print or CD version) can be ordered using the online order form found at tdctoolkit.org.
National Diabetes Prevention Program
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Division of Diabetes Translation has launched a new program—the National Diabetes Prevention Program—as part of its efforts to reverse the increase in new cases of type 2 diabetes nationwide. The program’s key component, a structured lifestyle intervention, has been proven effective in helping participants at high risk for type 2 diabetes lose a moderate amount of weight (5% to 7% of their current weight) and increase their physical activity to 150 minutes per week. These two actions have been proven to prevent or reduce the onset of type 2 diabetes by nearly 60%.
To find out more about this program, go to the National Diabetes Prevention Program website at www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention. Also, visit www.cdc.gov/CDCTV/ChangeForLife/index.html to watch the brief video, A Change for Life. This video provides an overview of the program, with highlights of participants discussing how the intervention helped them make sustainable lifestyle changes to prevent type 2 diabetes.
If my organization wants to offer the lifestyle change program, how do we do that?
If your organization is interested in offering the lifestyle change program in your community, CDC recommends that you review the Program's Standards and complete an organizational capacity assessment to see if your organization is ready to move forward.
Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program
CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program will be recognizing evidence-based programs through the Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program (DPRP) in early 2012. Be sure to review DPRP’s Standards and Operating Procedures, the capacity assessment, and application form as you consider applying for recognition. There are many benefits to applying for recognition including being listed in a comprehensive registry of evidence-based lifestyle change programs across the United States, receiving technical assistance to enhance your program’s impact, and the potential of receiving third-party reimbursement for program delivery.
Go to the National Diabetes Prevention Program’s website at www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention for more information on starting a lifestyle change program in your community. CDC will be receiving applications for recognition beginning in early 2012. Sign up for email updates on the website to be notified when applications are being accepted.
Diabetic Eye Disease Program Closeout Procedures for Nominators and Providers
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has been impacted by funding reductions and program changes requiring a full review and assessment of all available funds and business requirements. As a result, effective September 1, 2011, DSHS is not able to provide funding support for the Diabetic Eye Disease Program in the next fiscal year (FY 2012).
Below are some closeout procedures to assist in a successful transition after September 1, 2011:
Provider Office:
- All claims for services provided in fiscal year 2011, which ends August 31, 2011, will be processed.
- Notify patients, as appropriate, that services provided through the DSHS Diabetic Eye Disease Program will not be available after August 31, 2011.
- All claims for services provided in fiscal year 2011 must be received at DSHS by November 1, 2011.
- Claims for services provided after August 31, 2011, will not be accepted.
Nominator Office:
- Destroy all remaining voucher forms or return them to DSHS.
- Notify patients, as appropriate, that services provided through the DSHS Diabetic Eye Disease program will not be available after August 31, 2011.
- Refer patients to resources for eye care information and assistance found on page 11 of the Resources for Persons with Diabetes below.
A Plan to Prevent and Control Diabetes in Texas, 2012-2013
Chapter 103 of the Health and Safety Code requires the Texas Diabetes Council to develop and implement a state plan for diabetes treatment, education, and training. Changing the Course, A Plan to Prevent and Control Diabetes in Texas features the TDC's strategic plan for 2012-2013 and ways state agencies are applying TDC priorities and goals to development of health policy, community-based diabetes programs, education and awareness campaigns, and continuing education for healthcare professionals. A "Diabetes in Texas" section includes key diabetes definitions and data related to prevalence, morbidity and mortality.
» Download Changing the Course, A Plan to Prevent and Control Diabetes in Texas, 2012-2013
| Featured Resources for Persons with Diabetes |
The Diabetes Program at the Texas Department of State Health Services compiles a list with contact information for a number of organizations, publications and programs that offer information and assistance for persons with diabetes.
» Click here to view resources for persons with diabetes in a Word file (DOC, 158 kb, viewing information)
» Click here to view resources for persons with diabetes in a PDF file (PDF, 74 kb, viewing information)
Web links and contact information for organizations listed in the files above are for referral purposes only and do not indicate endorsement by the Texas Diabetes Council or Texas Department of State Health Services. Web sites may also not be accessible to persons with disabilities.
Managing Diabetes: It's not easy, but it's worth it.
People who learn to manage their diabetes from the start have fewer health problems from diabetes years later. You can too. Learn how to better manage your diabetes. Read 4 Steps to Control Your Diabetes. For Life. from the National Diabetes Education Program to learn more.
For more information, visit www.YourDiabetesInfo.org or call 1-888-693-NDEP (6337).
If you have diabetes, visit the NDEP web pages below to learn more about managing diabetes:
» I Have Diabetes
» Tengo diabetes
» To find a diabetes education program accredited by the American Diabetes Association in your area, visit http://professional.diabetes.org/
erp_zip_search.aspx and enter your zip code as directed.
» View diabetes education programs accredited by the American Association of Diabetes Educators by state at http://www.diabeteseducator.org/
DiabetesEducation/Programs.html.
» Click here to view a listing of community diabetes projects offering classes on diabetes prevention and management. Programs offered vary by location.
| Featured Community Resources |
Diabetes and Healthy Eyes Toolkit (also available in Spanish)
The Diabetes and Healthy Eyes Toolkit provides community health workers and health educators with unique tools to inform people with diabetes and their loved ones about diabetic eye disease and maintaining healthy vision.
For more information, visit the National Eye Health Education Program at http://www.nei.nih.gov/nehep/.
Diabetes and Healthy Eyes Toolkit: http://www.nei.nih.gov/healthyeyestoolkit/
Texas Healthy Communities Initiative
The University of Texas Department of Kinesiology and Health Education and DSHS are working together, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), to introduce and implement Healthy Communities statewide. A blog has been designed to provide guidance and information for Texas communities as they work toward building healthier environments for their citizens. Using lessons learned from Texas communities experienced in designing and implementing healthy community initiatives, together with the expertise from established national programs, this blog serves as a resource to those who are contemplating developing healthy community programs.
» Visit the Texas Healthy Communities Blog
Guidelines for Training School Employees Who Are Not Licensed Healthcare Professionals
Chapter 168 of the Health and Safety Code relates to the care of students with diabetes in schools. House Bill 984 (79R) requires that principals identify unlicensed personnel to assist with caring for students during the regular school day or while participating in a school activity. The Texas Diabetes Council (TDC) develops guidelines for training school personnel to be diabetes care assistants.
Guidelines for Training School Employees who are not Licensed Healthcare Professionals to implement House Bill 984 (79th Legislature) related to the Care of Elementary and Secondary School Students with diabetes (Updated August 2009, PDF, 193 kb, viewing information)
Frequently Asked Questions related to implementing House Bill (HB) 984 (Updated 08/11/2011, PDF, 40 kb, viewing information)
» View resources for implementing HB 984.
Diabetes at Work
The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) offers the DiabetesAtWork Workshop Toolkit for employers. This publication was created as a result of nationwide workshops that focused on the key role employers can play in diabetes prevention and control through workplace interventions.
Texas employers and community organizations interested in implementing DiabetesAtWork can visit
www.diabetesatwork.org for pilot tested, evidence-based, and copyright-free tools and materials to assist in developing worksite diabetes programs. Contact the Texas Diabetes Program for on-site presentations and technical assistance related to DiabetesAtWork at (512) 458-7490.
Diabetes and Disasters
The Texas Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) provides credible and reliable information relating to disaster preparedness and recovery. Texas EDEN is a joint effort between the Texas Cooperative Extension and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Go to the Texas EDEN web site for disaster supplies and tips for persons with diabetes.
Texas Diabetes Public Health System Assessment
In January 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Diabetes Translation, directed CDC-sponsored state Diabetes Prevention and Control Programs to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the collective performance of their state diabetes public health systems. The basic framework for this assessment was the National Public Health Performance Standards developed by the CDC, in collaboration with six national public health organizations, during the period 1998-2002.
Click here to view (PDF, 4.4 mb, viewing information)