Lake County Tribal Health Consortium (LCTHC) has strived to provide evidence-based best practice in Diabetes Education and Prevention to all Native Diabetic patients since 1998, when we first received the Special Diabetes Programs for Indians (SDPI) grant. In 2013, we created the Hinth’el Diabetes Action Council (HDAC) with representation from our local six federally recognized tribes and representatives-at-large, with the common goal of improving wellness in the Native community. HDAC has helped us create community-owned programs since its inception. And it 2016, staff and Tribal Community members were trained on the original developed Stanford-Lorig Diabetes Self-Management Program. Today, the program has evolved into: Wellness Lifestyle Management Program offered to all LCTHC patients, Native and non-Native. LCTHC patients who utilize the Medical, Pediatric, Behavioral, Dental or Obstetrics clinic, can participate in the following programs: Living Well With Diabetes (DSMES) Workshops, Diabetes Prevention Classes (DPP), Group Fitness classes for youth, Kwa Xho Community Garden Classes for youth and adults, Digital Story Workshops, Together We Can (Diabetes Prevention and Management for Native youth), Tobacco Cessation and Education, HomeMeds, Chronic Disease Self-Management (CDSMP), Walk with Ease and the American Diabetes Association’s “What Can I Eat” Workshop. Our Vision Path is to see our fully recognized American Diabetes Association (ADA) accredited program and our Center for Disease Control (CDC) fully accredited Diabetes Prevention Program, reach adults and youth who need it the most. Individuals with two or more chronic conditions or metabolic syndromes benefit from essential disease self-management skills. They can get the support they need to live healthy on a budget. Our referral process enhances clinic outreach and connects patients with these services. This results in a reduction of patient clinic no-shows, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits. We work with patients to develop patient-centered plans in partnership with their Primary Care Provider. Our programs are delivered by certified Lifestyle Coaches and Registered Dietitians. We strive for fun and interactive classes with hands-on education. It is important that we meet patients where they are, and help them reach their personal health goals. Our interventions are tailored to meet the needs of our patients who are struggling with obesity, diabetes and commercial tobacco. To do this, we provide virtual and flexible hours for our Wellness Lifestyle Management Programs. We leverage the reciprocal relationship between individuals, their health care providers, the environment, their family, their community and cultural support to achieve behavior change.
