PADRE Foundation

PADRE's mission is to:

•  Provide educational classes, support groups and psych/social events for all children with diabetes, as well as for their parents and siblings. 
•  Support community education on diabetes and disease management. 
•  Partner with research aimed toward better detection, prevention and management of diabetes and ultimately towards a cure.

PADRE began in 1985 when the parents of a child with Type 1 diabetes discovered a lack of resources for education and support. In conjunction with pediatric endocrinologists, RNs, Certified Diabetes Educators, and nutritionists, they launched a series of diabetes self-management workshops and support events. Until there is a cure, PADRE’s mission is to: Provide educational classes, support groups and psychosocial events for children with Type 1 diabetes, as well as their parents and siblings; Support community education about Type 1 diabetes and disease management; and Partner with research efforts aimed toward better detection, prevention, and management of Type 1 diabetes and ultimately a cure. Different than agencies that focus solely on research or seasonal camps, PADRE is the only organization in Southern California providing year-round education and support. PADRE is a stakeholder in the Type 1 diabetes community, alongside entities such as Children with Diabetes and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

“When we were introduced to the PADRE Foundation, it was definitely a relief. All these words had been thrown at us in the 6 hours of training that we’d gotten as we’re sitting next to our daughter in a hospital bed…all these scary words that I had no idea what they meant, so to then see a list of classes that addressed exactly what the doctor had told us we needed to learn how to do, was an absolute relief and it gave me some hope.” —parent of eight-year-old

PADRE has delivered diabetes education and support services since its inception in 1985. Successful results are evident with respondents agreeing our classes helped them improve in three areas: disease management skills (93-96% of respondents), attitude (95%), and family function (96%) (12 months ending December 2022). Evaluation utilizes a web-based survey to measure:

• Increased competency and confidence in managing their or their child’s disease.
• Greater positivity and fortitude in living with diabetes.
• Improved effectiveness in family functioning.

Families experience these positive outcomes both in the near-term and the long-term. Because disease management continues to change as children get older, sustained education and support is necessary, culminating in long-term impact. Ultimately this impact will be realized when teens graduate at age 18 from our program with the competency, confidence, support connections, and perspective to independently manage their Type 1 diabetes as they enter adulthood.

Core operating support Support for educational events 
Volunteers having experience with Type 1 Diabetes and Children Volunteers to assist with special events 

California: Greater Orange County area, Los Angeles and Riverside. Some families travel as far away as San Diego County to attend our programs. 

Being involved with PADRE Foundation means that you will have support for issues arising throughout the stages of growing up. There are so many things that we don't know until we are faced with them. Each situation is unique and having support from others that have gone through it is invaluable. Spreading knowledge and awareness about Type 1 diabetes is so beneficial so that more people are aware of how to help those in need when experiencing a low blood sugar or knowing what can happen to the body with prolonged high blood sugar. Knowledge is key to the successful management of T1d. -- Mary Mailman, Director