PADRE Foundation

“Accepting. Advancing. Amazing: Diabetes Education and Support” program

The “Accepting. Advancing. Amazing: Diabetes Education and Support” program assists families by strengthening their ability to manage the rigors of Type 1 diabetes, enable better health outcomes, and experience greater family stability. The program goal is to improve the family’s knowledge of diabetes management and help them cope with the disease. Specific activities include: • Educate and Connect: Classes are available in English and Spanish led by Certified Diabetes Educators, dietitians, and endocrine nurse specialists. Our curriculum is recognized by the American Diabetes Association. Class topics include essentials for newly diagnosed patients, pump basics, advanced pump therapy, glucose sensors, insulin shots, carbohydrate counting, caregiver’s instructions, college preparation, and many more. PADRE also offers a free biannual workshop for school nurses, health-care workers, and aides to support students in the school environment. Community education encompasses presentations at schools and clubs, such as 4H. • Psychosocial and Peer Support: Psychosocial events provide safe, medically supervised opportunities to build confidence while teaching better diabetes control. Primarily youth-focused, support groups and events are both social and educational, often with medical professionals in attendance or presenting material. Typical events include monthly support groups, quarterly series for parents of toddlers (childcare provided), Peer Support series, Teen Mental Health Speaker series, Harvest Festival, and Park Days. Family Nights cover topics in depth, for example Celiac disease or Back to School advocacy/accommodations. The Youth Leader program develops mentoring skills, public speaking, and community service. • Treatment Access: Wearable CGMs and/or insulin pumps are life-changing for families. CGMs achieve better glycemic control compared to the usual care, helping health outcomes while also dramatically improving quality of life. For low-income families that could not otherwise pay for the devices, PADRE pays for full or partial costs (amount not paid by insurance). • Resource Counseling: PADRE staff provide intensive one-on-one resource counseling, facilitating access to self-care education and supplies. Calls or visits typically last 30-60 minutes and deliver individualized guidance, solutions, and assistance. Generalized weekly resource education and outreach occurs electronically through text, emails, Instagram, and Facebook.