Diabetes Prevention and Control Program

Diabetes Professional 
Advisory Council 

The Diabetes Professional Advisory Council (DPAC)  provides leadership for diabetes activities in the State.  DPAC has a large partnership with the community, professional groups, business organizations, third party insurers, health institutions, and voluntary organizations.  

DPAC is comprised of subcommittees responsible for health activities related to the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program.  Below is a brief description of each subcommittee:

• Public Education -- produced the My Diabetes Record and the Diabetes Resources in Rhode Island booklets.  This subcommittee continues to develop products and media campaigns related to diabetes standards of care for people with diabetes statewide.
• Policy -- working on laws and policies affecting people with diabetes in the state of Rhode Island.
• Professional Education -- working on the Behavior Change model geared for Diabetes Outpatient Educators and physicians in the state to help improve patient care. 
• Diabetes and Elderly -- assessed barriers to care for seniors.  One product is a booklet "The Transportation Guide" designed to assist seniors by identifying transportation resources for health care visits.
• Diabetes and Children -- working on informing pediatricians and the community about the criteria for flu and pneumonia vaccinations for children, developing policies for diabetes care in schools, and addressing the increase of Type 2 diabetes among children.
• Diabetes Outpatient Education (DOE) -- works with the DOE Board to certify nurses, dietitians, and pharmacists to become diabetes educators.  Diabetes Outpatient Educators provide state-of-the art diabetes education information and treatment methods for people with diabetes and other related chronic diseases.
• Diabetes Resource Center (DRC) -- provides diabetes care services and supplies for uninsured, underinsured, and homeless populations with diabetes in Rhode Island.