The new DPRP Standards are now posted on CDC’s website and a 2018 DPRP Standards Transition Webinar by CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program was hosted in early March to introduce changes in the 2018 version. If you missed it, the recording is posted here.

The DPRP Standards are a set of guidelines that CDC-recognized organizations delivering the National DPP lifestyle change program need to adhere to in order to be considered a “recognized” National DPP provider. To ensure high quality and impact, CDC sets these standards for organizations that offer an in-person or online lifestyle change program.

Two of the major changes in the 2018 standards are the frequency of data collection (now every six months) and the addition of a category called “Preliminary Recognition.” There are now three recognition categories; Pending, Preliminary, and Full recognition. Pending recognition applies to programs that just entered into the recognition program and have not delivered the National DPP lifestyle change program long enough to prove successful outcomes. Programs are assessed for Preliminary recognition after they have delivered the lifestyle change program for at least 12 months and have met some of the outcomes, particularly as they relate to attendance. Full recognition is assessed after a program has delivered the lifestyle change program for at least 24 months and meets the required outcomes for attendance, weight loss, eligibility, and recording of physical activity minutes. Preliminary or Full recognition are required to become a Medicare Diabetes Prevention  Program supplier of the National DPP lifestyle change program.

The 2018 standards contain additional guidance on the minimum requirements to become a CDC recognized program and requirements for lifestyle coaches implementing the National DPP lifestyle change program. The standards also contain a capacity assessment for programs that are looking to gauge their capacity to become a CDC-recognized delivery organization.