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CCBH DIET ProgramThe CCBH “DIET” Program – “Dietitians Involved in Education & Training”Professional Assistance for Healthcare Providers with Children & Weight Management
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The Cuyahoga County Board of
Health (CCBH) “DIET” program was developed to increase the knowledge and enhance the skills of
healthcare providers (HCP) in preventing and managing childhood obesity and related chronic
diseases. The CCBH assessed local healthcare providers’ knowledge and skills related to
childhood obesity management through a random survey. Local data and survey findings
supported both national and local concerns related to childhood obesity, spurring the development
of the CCBH “DIET” program. This program has developed into a well established and successful
project under the Steps to a Healthier Cleveland Initiative.
OBJECTIVE:
The CCBH “DIET” program targets HCPs including physicians, residents, medical
assistants, nurses, dietitians, social workers, community health workers and students.
The HCPs receive a one hour training session focusing on prevention and
management of childhood obesity with strong nutrition and physical activity components.
HCPs communicated the need for additional diabetes education and resources,
thus, the program has recently partnered with the Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland to meet
this need.
The training sessions include the most current, best practices in assessment
(i.e. calculating Body Mass Index) and the latest motivational interviewing techniques which can
facilitate positive behavior modifications.
The goal of the training is to assist HCPs in assessing their patient’s
readiness to adapt and self monitor realistic healthy lifestyle goals.
Trained participants receive a toolkit of literacy appropriate and culturally
diverse educational materials, resources and references for staff and patients’ on obesity,
diabetes, asthma, physical activity, nutrition and tobacco prevention and cessation.
The evaluation component includes pre- and post tests to assess participant
knowledge and follow-up visits to assess the application and utilization of concepts learned and
educational materials received.
The CCBH “DIET” program also works collaboratively with the Community Health
Worker (CHW) program of Steps to a Healthier Cleveland to cross train HCPs and CHWs.
This collaboration is most beneficial to HCPs in that they will have access to
trained health educators providing community level education and outreach and this provides an
additional member to the healthcare team.
The CCBH "DIET" program is now providing an additional service for HCPs and
patients. Waiting room bulletin boards will be developed and maintained with positive health
messages to improve patient awareness.
In an effort to expand and sustain the CCBH "DIET" program, it was
incorporated into the CCBH Cardiovascular Health grant, funded by the CDC and administered by the
Ohio Department of Health. Through this grant, cardiovascular health related intervention
strategies are provided in target communities in both Cleveland and Cuyahoga County.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS:
Cleveland Department of
Public Health (Steps Community Consortium), Area Hospitals, Case Western Reserve University,
Diabetes Association of Greater Cleveland, Greater Cleveland Asthma Coalition /
American Lung Association, NorthEast Ohio Neighborhood (NEON) Health Services - WOW! Program and
An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound: Preventing Childhood
Overweight
a project of the Ohio Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, ohio Department of Health
and Ohio Dietetics Association.
CONTACT INFORMATION: Please call for more information
or to schedule a meeting to outline a tailored plan for your practice:
External Link. |
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