Several important considerations for individuals who are interested in pursuing this opportunity:   

1.      Time commitment: The certificate requires approximately 11 hours of self-study coursework, and the Learning Cohort Opportunity includes 2-4 hours of meetings. You will have 2 months from the date of enrollment to complete the course.  

2.      Funding: While Maine CDC covers the course fee, it cannot pay for your staff time.  

3.      Roles: The training is intended for complementary workers (including Community Health Workers), who have a defined role in a certified or recognized diabetes education or prevention program. They may also be aligned with practices that serve a dedicated or focused proportion of people with diabetes. We encourage you to review the following list of roles for diabetes paraprofessionals to decide whether it aligns with your current position:  o Build health literacy and health insurance literacy skills 

o  Conduct outreach to educate people and communities about how to access health resources and how health systems operate 

o  Help people with diabetes understand and prepare for medical procedures in plain language 

o  Help individuals apply for support for prescription drugs, transportation, and other resources 

o  Lead culturally and linguistically competent education to promote healthy lifestyles, preventive screenings, and primary care 

o  Conduct participant education to encourage individuals to enroll in Diabetes Self-

Management & Support services or CDC-recognized lifestyle change programs  o Identify individuals for recommended health screenings, immunizations, and referrals to care (through the electronic health record)  

o  Facilitate health screenings, within the clinic or with community partners, to assess diabetes risk, weigh community members, monitor blood pressure, and connect participants to follow-up 

o  Arrange follow-up and providing reminders to engage with care 

o  Refer and connect individuals to resources that address basic social needs such as food, housing, education, transportation, and support 

If you are interested in the course and this Learning Cohort Opportunity, please contact Susan Greene (susan.greene@maine.gov) to receive instructions on how to enroll at no cost.