Diabetes Prevention and Control Program

Diabetes Multicultural Coalition
(DMC)

What is the DMC?  The Diabetes Multicultural Coalition

The Diabetes Multicultural Coalition is a group of 62 agencies and individuals whose mission is to inform, educate and bring awareness of diabetes and its complications to all the multi-cultural and multi-lingual communities residing in Rhode Island.

Goals of DMC

• Reduce and/or eliminate disparities regarding access to care and/or diabetes complications for persons with diabetes
• Empower the caretaker(s) to become an integrated member of the diabetes care for the family member with diabetes

DMC projects and activities

The DMC participates and develops activities geared to provide information on diabetes and its complications in a manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate for the intended audience.  

The DMC collaborates throughout the year with various partnerships using the National Health Observance Calendar

Some activities include:

September
Multicultural Month in Rhode Island
During the month of September the DMC invites community agencies, libraries, churches, banks and any other interested groups to join diabetes awareness celebration by providing free diabetes information, educational workshops and glucose screening through the DMC collaborators

November
Diabetes National Month

February
Heart Disease Month

January
Eye Care Month

March
National Nutrition Month

April
Minority Health Month

May
Stroke Month
Asthma Month
Arthritis Month

Then DMC also works closely with partners such as the Diabetes Foundation of Rhode Island and the American Diabetes Association, increasing awareness regarding diabetes and its complications.

The Diabetes Eye Care Project -- this is an activity/campaign held in partnership with Saving Sight Rhode Island.  This project offers individuals with diabetes who have not had a dilated eye exam during the last 18 months, and who are uninsured, under-insured, or confronting barriers to health care access, a free dilated eye exam, a regular eye exam and eye glasses (if needed).  

For more information regarding the Diabetes Eye Care Project or additional questions in Spanish contact Maria Matias (See contact information below).

Diabetes Training for persons interested in becoming Diabetes Information and Referral Specialists.    

• DIRES Qualifications:  Candidates must be over 18 years of age and have a High School Diploma or GED; bilingual preferable.
• Note: If you are a nurse, dietitian, or pharmacist you may also qualify to become a Diabetes Outpatient Educator.  [See DOE program page for details].
• If you are a person with diabetes and are interested in receiving diabetes education, please link to this web page: DOE program