San Antonio Metro Health partners with YMCA for diabetes workshops

During its Jan. 16 meeting, the San Antonio City Council authorized city officials to enter into an agreement with the YMCA for the implementation of diabetes workshops for San Antonio Metropolitan Health District’s Diabetes Prevention and Control Program.

The overview

According to city documents, the $242,750 program will run from Feb. 1-Sept. 30. Through this agreement, Metro Health will expand the department’s capacity to deliver evidence-based diabetes prevention and self-monitoring education to community members free of charge.

Services provided through the agreement include the implementation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's approved Y-Diabetes Prevention Program and the Y-Living Program for diabetes prevention. As part of the agreement, YMCA will ensure a minimum of 300 individuals complete one of the workshops annually. Additionally, YMCA will provide referrals to Metro Health’s DPCP program for individuals who already have a diabetes diagnosis and need diabetes self-management workshops.

The contract has a renewal option for a one-year term for a total amount up to $485,500. Funding for the workshops comes from the Medicaid 1115 Waiver. Funding for additional years is contingent on the annual budget and funds.

The background

Metro Health’s Diabetes Prevention and Control Program provides residents with health education tailored for people with diabetes. The Diabetes Self-Management Program is designed to educate people at risk of developing diabetes.

Metro Health offers these programs through a series of virtual workshops. Free and open to the public, the workshops are led by trained lifestyle coaches and will teach participants about healthier eating and how to increase their physical activity to help lower the risk of diabetes.

To sign up for these programs, visit Metro Health’s Diabetes Help SA webpage.