NACDD’s Diabetes Technical Assistance and Support Team is partnering with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to take a new approach to preventing type 2 diabetes. The Employer Learning Collaborative (ELC) was launched to assist select states in engaging large employers to cover the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) lifestyle change program for their employees. States were selected based on the interest and readiness of both the State Health Department and employers. The first cohort of six states is scheduled to end in June this year. In February, two new cohorts started up: one for six new states and another for five national partners. An additional cohort is being planned for 2021. The collaborative intends to:

• Accelerate employer coverage of the National DPP lifestyle change program
• Capture employer perspectives on the road to coverage
• Develop a replicable model for employers to use while considering offering the program as a covered benefit
• Provide technical assistance to states, national organizations, and employers

Sara Hanlon, NACDD’s lead of the ELC said, “The results of this program will include development of a clear and replicable model for employers to use as they decide if offering the National DPP as a covered benefit is a fit for their organization. In addition, we are building an Employer Network committed to cost-effective prevention of type 2 diabetes.” This project was made available and in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Watch for more details about this project in the next issue of The Connector newsletter. For more information, contact Sara Hanlon.