The Seminole Nation of Oklahoma Diabetes Program is a community directed Diabetes Prevention Program funded out of the Indian Health Service, "Special Diabetes Program for Indians". This program focuses on the Best Practice of 'Physical Activity Education' by providing educational opportunities for all American Indian/Alaska Natives residing within Seminole County. We currently offer prevention education and physical activities to any high risk, pre-diabetic, or Type II diabetic tribal citizen living within our service area. Our program staff provides diabetic counseling and diabetic supplies to patients registered in our program. Our Exercise Specialist develops individual exercise prescriptions for clients to help increase physical activity and instruct them on how to safely and successfully exercise/train. Along with adults that fit this criteria, our program also offers prevention education, fitness classes, and nutritional opportunities for tribal youth throughout the program year.
The Seminole Nation Diabetes Program will be operating from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023. The program staff consists of a Program Director, Program Nurse (LPN), Community Health Educator, Exercise Specialist, Exercise & Lifestyle Coach, Wellness Technician, and Program Assistant. We are looking to increase our number of participants with this funding opportunity by continuing to expand our services in order to help combat Type II Diabetes. Our program staff will be able to offer multiple diabetes prevention and physical activity classes that coincide with the Physical Activity Best Practice. These will include:
-Sports/Summer camps and age-appropriate fitness classes for tribal youth
-Exercises classes for tribal adults and elders
-Fitness/Nutrition competitions for tribal employees/members
-Diabetes Education/Prevention classes for high risk, pre-diabetic, and Type II diabetic adults
-Individual Exercise Prescriptions for program participants
-Case Management provided by Program Nurse to help patient monitor nutrition, blood pressure, glucose levels, neuropathy, and any other diabetic complications
The Seminole Nation Diabetes Program has partnerships with 12 organizations and/or individuals that have helped provide successful numbers for our SDPI goals and objectives over the last 14 years. We are always looking to add new partnerships to offer more effective education for diabetic patients and the community. Our program also assists many neighboring tribal programs by providing health education, community physical activity events, diabetes awareness events, and health fairs/school presentations. These educational opportunities help increase the awareness of diabetes within the state of Oklahoma. The FY2023 program year project cost is $442,182.00.