SERVICES

Thirteen percent of McLennan County residents have diabetes. This past year the Health District was awarded a grant to establish a Diabetes Program to prevent and control Diabetes in McLennan County. This past year the Diabetes Program along with community partners established Diabetes self-management classes, Cooking Classes, After-school programs, Family Activity programs, worksite wellness, and more. All of our programs are free of charge and held in partnership with various community agencies.

The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District along with partners in our community have joined together to provide the following services:

Self-Management Classes

Do Well Be Well with Diabetes

This course is held in partnership with Texas Agrilife Extension Service and other healthcare professionals from our community such as Providence, Hillcrest, Diabetes and Endocrine Center, and more. This program was designed for persons with diabetes, pre-diabetes, caregivers, and others interested in prevention. Ten lessons cover topics such as meal planning, monitoring blood glucose, medications, exercise, managing complications, and foot care. It is held seasonally with day and night meeting time options. Click here for Schedule.

Food & Fitness

Cooking Well with Diabetes

This course is held in partnership with Texas Agrilife Extension Service. Class is held for families with Diabetes or pre-diabetes. Four lesson class covers topics such as carbohydrates, low-fat cooking, food substitutions, and desserts. Each lesson includes interactive food demonstrations, recipe preparation, and sampling healthy diabetes options. It is held seasonally with day and night meeting time options usually following a "Do Well Be Well" with Diabetes Self-management series. It is recommended that you attend the "Do Well Be Well' before attending the "Cooking Well with Diabetes". Click here for Schedule.

Healthy Lifestyles

This is a single cooking class designed for familes wanting to prevent diabetes by healthy eating. Parents and kids will learn nutritional guidelines for healthy eating and participate in preparing and sampling healthy foods. It will be held in the daytime in the summer of 2008. Click here for Schedule

Physical Activity

CATCH Kids Club

This after-school program is held in partnership with MCYC, and Kids and Company after-school programs. The program targets elementary school children in the after-school programs at schools served by MCYC and Kids and Company. The curriculum promotes healthy lifestyles through interactive teaching about healthy eating and physical activity. Each lesson provides 30 minutes of physical activity, and 30 minutes of nutrition. It consists of 32 lessons over a 16 week period. Click here for Schedule.

Family Activity Program

If your family is African American, Hispanic, overweight, pre-diabetes, or have a history of diabetes in your family, you can qualify through our program to enroll in Fitness programs with Parks and Recreation. For a listing of programs options call 254-750-5631. Click here for Schedule.

Walk Across Texas

This is an 8 week walking program conducted in partnership with the Texas Agrilife Extension Service. For 8 weeks participants log their miles to see if they can walk 800 miles across Texas. Prizes incentives are available. If you would like your worksite, church, or community group to participate in this together call 254-750-5631. Programs run in the fall and spring. Click here for Schedule.

Healthcare Providers

Diabetes Toolkits - If you are a healthcare provider you may request a copy of the Diabetes Toolkit for Healthcare Providers at the Texas Diabetes Council website or by sending an e-mail or calling us at 254-750-5631. Each toolkit comes with the latest algorithms, minimum standards of care, and patient handouts.

Pediatric Obesity Toolkits - If you are a healthcare provider that works with children you may request a copy of the Pediatric Obesity Toolkit by sending an e-mail or calling us at 254-750-5631. Each toolkit comes with a BMI Wheel to quickly assess child BMI's, algorithms, and patient handouts.

Posters, Brochures, Patient literature - Contact us if you would like to request additional materials.

Referrals - We offer free one-one diabetes consults for patients by appointment. You can refer any patients with diabetes, or diabetes risk to our program by calling 254-750-5631.

Media Campaigns

The Diabetes Program launched the “Taking Control” and “Get Real” media campaigns from the National Diabetes Education Program(NDEP). These are broadcast in both English and Spanish via public service announcements(PSA's) and advertisements on TV, Radio, Mobile Billboard, Website, and Print media over the course of the year.