Building Community Support for Diabetes Care

Campesinos Sin Fronteras

The goal of CDMP was to build strong collaborations among medical providers and community resources to advance the care and self management of type 2 diabetes among the targeted population. CDMP was instrumental in developing and providing community resources and self management education and support services for this population by creating strong partnerships among CSF, Sunset Community Health Center, the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension and the Arizona College of Public Health. The program was effective because of the intimate knowledge that CSF staff had of the target population, which led to the main strength of the project: direct involvement in the target population through recruiting and hiring Promotoras de Salud, or community health workers.

The promotoras proved to be a credible and effective resource of health information and advocacy for their community. Their primary purpose was to provide advocacy, support and education for people with diabetes and to help them manage their condition. Promotoras recruited new participants for the program throughout the community in schools, churches, faith based organizations, stores, neighborhood events and health fairs.

Promotoras checked on participants at least once a week, either at groups, in the person’s home, or by phone. They reminded participants to attend their weekly support groups and/or cooking classes. They informed them about community resources and referred them to other services they may have needed. Promotoras also helped participants order supplies for their glucometers and translated letters they received from their medical providers or insurers. They called and visited participants who were sick or in the hospital and celebrated their birthdays too.

To aid the promotoras, CDMP implemented the “Animadora” model through which long-term program participants were trained to help promotoras conduct the support groups. But most important were the “little things” promotoras gave to participants like attention, care, kindness, compassion, understanding, confidentiality and respect.

Staff Person Praised -- Emma Torres of Campesinos Sin Fronteras is highlighted as one of the 10 most influential Hispanics in Yuma County.

Summary

Key Interventions

• Promotora outreach to the farm worker community offering:
• Animadora-led support groups
• Case management and client follow up
• Home visits/family education
• Diabetes education classes
• Community workshops and forums
• Collaboration with an extensive network of community agencies

Key Accomplishments

• Significantly strengthened the partnership with Sunset Clinic, achieving reciprocal referrals, program space and shared staff
• Developed a family curriculum for diabetes education in the home
• Promotoras developed an 11module curriculum that addresses diabetes follow up and support, coping skills and the importance of mental health

Lessons Learned

• Promotoras play an important role in helping people with their diabetes self management at home and in the community
• Community promotoras help people with diabetes manage their negative emotions
• Promotora-led support groups help people with diabetes improve self management skills

Grantee Presentations