It is an honor to serve as the 2019 Chair of the Diabetes Council. Thank you to Christopher Lucero (New Mexico) for his leadership as Chair during 2018 and for helping to build a foundation for another year of success.

This is a time of transition as we begin new grants and new work to advance diabetes prevention and management initiatives. The Diabetes Council is dedicated to representing diabetes staff in State Health Departments across the country. Our priority for the coming year is to increase engagement opportunities, including professional development, outreach, and mentoring.

I encourage you to learn more about the Diabetes Council and opportunities to become involved in the Leadership Group, our workgroups, and activities that support your work.

Diabetes Council Leadership Opportunities

The Diabetes Council’s Leadership Group includes staff from State Health Departments who are elected by their peers to serve in 14 positions. Spring elections will be held for the following positions below. Look for an announcement soon about how you can nominate yourself or a colleague. 

Diabetes Council Executive Team

• Chair Elect

Workgroup Co-Chairs

• Professional Development Workgroup Co-Chair

Liaison Positions

• • Liaison to the NACDD Learning and Professional Development Committee

• • Liaison to the NACDD Government Affairs Forum and Diabetes Advocacy Alliance

• • Liaison to the NACDD Epidemiology/ Evaluation Collaborative

• • Liaison to Cardiovascular Health Network

• Liaison to Health Equity Council

If you have any questions, contact Becky DiOrio at becky.diorio@state.co.us or Trish Herrmann at pherrmann@chronicdisease.org.  

Mentoring Workgroup

The Diabetes Council’s Peg Adams Peer-to-Peer Mentoring Program is coming into 2019 with a record number of guides and learners. Guides are experienced volunteers from SHD’s who serve as a mentors for a small group of learners (new staff) working in diabetes. This year there are 12 confirmed guides and their expertise spans from epidemiology to evaluation and from diabetes to heart disease and stroke prevention. NACDD matched the guides with 58 learners in early January and the kickoff meeting will take place before February. The Mentoring Workgroup will also host a Learning Community for new 1815/1817 staff, including those who joined too late to be matched. 1817 non-state grantees also will be able to participate in the bi-monthly calls/webinars. For more information, contact April Reese at areese@chronicdisease.org. 

 

Professional Development Workgroup 

NACDD has provided many opportunities to apply for travel scholarships to attend conferences that inform diabetes work at SHDs. The travel scholarships allow 1815 and 1817 state staff to attend national, regional, or state conferences that enhance their ability to plan, implement, and evaluate grant strategies. There will be a separate opportunity for states to receive travel support for NACDD’s Chronic Disease Academy in April. Work with your Chronic Disease Manager to learn more. For more information, contact April Reese at areese@chronicdisease.org.