This is part 1 of a 4-part series on "Technical Assistance for Success" to provide a
high-level overview of becoming a CDC-recognized deliverer of the National Diabetes Prevention
Program lifestyle change program. This segment will discuss the Organizational Capacity Assessment.
Understanding the DPRP. CDC's Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program,
also known as the DPRP, is the quality assurance arm of the National Diabetes Prevention Program.
The DPRP identifies organizations that have demonstrated their ability to deliver successful,
evidence-based Lifestyle Change programs that help people prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.
Organizations that want to be CDC-recognized are strongly encouraged to complete the Organizational
Capacity Assessment. The assessment will reveal whether your organization has the necessary
knowledge and resources to receive CDC recognition for successfully delivering the National DPP
lifestyle change program and will identify any areas you may need to enhance before you apply.
Meeting the DPRP Standards. To become CDC recognized, an organization must meet the DPRP
Standards and Operating Procedures, the evidence-based requirements by which all programs
are evaluated for CDC recognition. Fulfilling the DPRP Standards includes having the right staff,
understanding their roles, making sure you can sustain the Lifestyle Change Program long term,
and knowing the requirements associated with each of the four different delivery modes:
in-person, online, distance learning, or combination. Your organization must
also have the ability to recruit, enroll, and retain participants to sustain the program.
Selecting a Delivery Mode. For in-person only programs, participants are physically present
in a classroom or classroom-like setting that has a private area for weighing and monitoring
participants. Sessions are led by trained Lifestyle Coaches. Online year-long Lifestyle Change Programs,
on the other hand, are always delivered online. Participants log into course sessions
with computers, tablets, or smartphones. Lifestyle Coaches track their progress through the course.
Distance learning is delivered via remote classroom or telehealth with live delivery
of session content by the Lifestyle Coach. And combination programs are delivered as combinations
of in-person, online, or distance learning sessions for the same group of participants.
Live interaction by Lifestyle Coaches is a requirement of all delivery modes and should
be offered to each participant no less than once per week during the first six months and once per
month during the second six months. E-mails and text messages can count toward the requirement
for life coach interaction as long as there is bi-directional communication (that is, organizations
do not simply send out an announcement via text or e-mail and count that as live coach interaction; the
participant must have the ability to respond to and get support from the Lifestyle Change coach).
Conducting Make-up Sessions. All organizations may offer make-up sessions to participants who miss a
scheduled session. Make-up sessions can be provided in any of the previously mentioned delivery modes
and are analyzed in the same way as regularly scheduled sessions; therefore, make-up sessions must
be comparable to regularly scheduled sessions in content and length. The make-up session is
used to review a CDC-approved curriculum module, which is generally about an hour.
Understanding Program Staffing Requirements.
Once you've identified the delivery mode for your participants -- in person, online, distance learning, or
combination -- you need to determine how many staff members are necessary and if they'll work full - or
part-time. Delivering a one-hour session requires three to five hours of staff time, depending on
the setup of the class and the time it takes for email or text reminders and data documentation
and reporting. The number of Lifestyle Coaches you need to hire and their time allocations will vary
depending on the delivery mode used and, more importantly, how many classes they're teaching.
Reviewing Roles and Responsibilities for Staff. As for your staff, there are three key roles you need
to fill: Lifestyle Coaches, Program Coordinators, and Data Preparers. Lifestyle Coaches use a CDC-
approved curriculum and provide support and guidance for program participants.
Along with motivating participants, they make learning an interactive, shared, and fun experience.
They also lead the make-up sessions and work with the Program Coordinator
and, if a separate person is in this role, the Data Preparer. And while Lifestyle Coaches
are sometimes health professionals, they do not have to be. Lay health workers, such as Community
Health Workers or Promoters, may also serve in this role. Program Coordinators serve as
institutional experts who implement the Lifestyle Change Program consistent with the DPRP Standards.
They supervise daily program operations, guide and support Lifestyle Coaches toward quality outcomes,
and share information from CDC. They also help with program data submissions,
help monitor data, and engage in other key functions such as publicity and marketing.
The third required role is a Data Preparer, who gathers, reviews, and submits data to CDC. Depending
on your organization's size and resources, this role might be held by a different individual or
by the Lifestyle Coach. Proper staffing for each role is critical to ensure your organization
delivers a quality Lifestyle Change Program with fidelity to the evidence-based DPRP Standards.
Reviewing Training Requirements. All Lifestyle Coaches must be trained to the
specific curriculum being used by the recognized organization before offering their first class. The
recommended minimum length of formal training for new Lifestyle Coaches is at least 12 hours
or two days. This can be done in one of four ways: 1) by a training entity listed on the CDC website,
2) by a private organization with a national network of CDC-recognized program sites, 3)
by a CDC-recognized virtual organization with national reach, or, 4) by a Master Trainer who has
completed at least 12 hours of formal training as a Lifestyle Coach, has completed a Master [Trainer]
program offered by a training entity listed on the National DPP Customer Service Center,
and has delivered the Lifestyle Change Program for at least one year. Because program evaluation
findings have demonstrated that well-trained and highly motivated Lifestyle Coaches
have a positive impact on participant outcomes, all Lifestyle Coaches must complete at least
two hours of Advanced Coach Training each year by an approved training entity.
Advanced Coach Training builds on the foundational skills necessary for helping participants make
effective change. Lifestyle Coaches are also encouraged to be trained on group facilitation,
motivational interviewing, data collection, and strategies for addressing social determinants
of health. Additional continuing training is encouraged, including CDC-sponsored webinar
trainings on specialized topics such as program delivery and data submission.
Since Program Coordinators are responsible for overall program implementation, they should also
complete both formal training and annual Advanced Coach Training, just as Lifestyle Coaches do.
This is because of the important role the Program Coordinator plays
in hiring, mentoring, and supervising Lifestyle Coaches and, if necessary, acting as a back-up coach.
You'll find links to various Training Entity profiles with details on their offerings by
referencing the Training for your Lifestyle Coaches resource on the National DPP Customer
Service Center. Because Program Coordinators are responsible for hiring, guiding, and supervising
Lifestyle Coaches having at least one year's experience working as a Lifestyle Coach is highly
recommended. For a complete description of the exact skills and knowledge the Lifestyle Coaches
and Program Coordinators need, along with their responsibilities, see the current DPRP Standards.
Estimating Program Cost. While CDC estimates the program delivery cost per participant at about $500
for the year, this cost varies depending on things like the organization's funding and resources,
ability to get private or public insurance reimbursement by working with partners,
and whether the program is offered at a worksite as part of an employee benefits package.
Organizations with additional funding sources may cover some of the program costs,
while others may ask participants to pay a small fee.
Taking Next Steps. You should thoroughly read the DPRP Standards before filling
the Capacity Assessment, which you'll find included in the current DPRP Standards.
After you complete the assessment, total the number of yes, no, unsure, and N/A answers.
If You Responded with "Yes" to the Majority of Questions. If your answers are mostly yes,
you're ready to apply for CDC recognition. However, you would benefit from improving
any areas where you marked "no" or "unsure" as all are important for successfully delivering the program.
You can apply for CDC recognition on the CDC website. If you have any questions about applying,
please reach out by visiting the Customer Service Center at nationaldppcsc.cdc.gov and submitting a
technical assistance request. To submit a request, you will need to complete a brief profile by
selecting "Login" and then "Register." Once logged in, select "Contact Us/ Contact Support" on the home page.
If You Responded with "No" to the Majority of Questions. If "no" and "unsure" responses
outnumber the "yes" ones, you may want to apply at a later date. And think about partnering with
another CDC-recognized organization in your community, working with your organization's
leadership to enhance your capabilities, or contacting CDC's DPRP for technical assistance.
Thank you. And remember, CDC is always available to help guide and support you.