FAQ Section
General
- Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) program for those who have been diagnosed with diabetes. Our program is accredited with Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialist (ADCES).
- Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) for those who are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes or who have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes. Our DPP is a CDC recognized lifestyle change program that is evidence based and can reduce a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
- BP for Me is a blood pressure management program for those who have been diagnosed with high blood pressure or are at risk for it.
- Get into Fitness Today (GIFT) program is for those who are looking for a wellness overview and/or are looking to kick start a weight loss journey.
- Get into Fitness Together-Learning and Emotional Activity Program (GIFT-LEAP) is for children ages 5-9 years old and discusses where our food comes from, how to pick healthy food choices, the importance of physical activity, and how to cope with emotions.
-A medical referral is not always necessary. You can call us to register for any of our programs.
-You can call (813) 307-8009, fax (813) 307-8094, and/or email us at programinfo@flheath.gov
Diabetes
-Our DSME program has an average 1.15 reduction in A1c. Those who participate in our program will gain the tools to monitor blood glucose, make lifestyle changes, learn valuable information on medications and insulin, and make informed choices about foods and carbohydrates to manage diabetes.
–The program is 7 weeks, and the class will meet 1 time per week for 90 minutes.
-Yes, you need to be diagnosed with diabetes to take DSME.
–You will need to provide us with your most recent lab work, specifically your A1c.
-You need to be 18 years or older and be diagnosed with diabetes.
Heart Health
-Our blood pressure program will help you understand what your blood pressure numbers mean and how an increased blood pressure can increase your risk for heart attack, stroke, heart disease, heart failure, kidney disease, and more. You will learn how to control your blood pressure through the foods you eat and how you prepare them.
–No, you do not need to be diagnosed with high blood pressure to join our program.
-The program is 5 weeks and will meet 1 time per week for 60 minutes
–Anyone 18 years or older.
Healthy Eating
-We offer 2 programs that will lead to weight loss. One is our Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and the other is our Get into Fitness Today (GIFT). To join DPP you do need to be at risk for type 2 diabetes or have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes. If you do not meet those criteria, then GIFT would be a perfect option for you.
-Yes! Those who register for our programs will have access to registered dietitians.
Weight Loss
-Our DPP program has a participant average weight loss of 6.14%. Those who lose 5-7% of their body weight can reduce the risk for developing type 2 diabetes, reduce the risk for heart disease and some cancers, lower cholesterol, and improve blood glucose.
-Those who participate in our DPP program can also learn to increase physical activity, gain the skills to shop and cook to prevent type 2 diabetes, and make the lifestyle changes that keep the weight off.
-Yes. You must be at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, be diagnosed with pre-diabetes, or have a history of gestational diabetes to take DPP.
–You need to be 18 years or older, be at risk for developing type 2 diabetes, are not diagnosed with diabetes, are not pregnant, and have the capacity to lose 5-7% of your body weight. That is better defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher or 23 or higher if you are Asian American.
-The program is designed to meet for 1 year with the first 16 weeks meeting 1 time a week for 60 minutes. It will then continue to meet but 1 or 2 times a month.
-You will need to provide lab work that shows your A1c or fasting blood glucose. You may also qualify to take the program with a CDC diabetes risk test.
-Our GIFT program has helped 90% of participants increase their physical activity! It is for anyone who is looking for health and wellness information and a starting point to lose weight. You’ll learn tools for healthy eating and how to be more physically active.
-Anyone 18 years or older can take GIFT.
-The program is 12 weeks and will meet 1 time per week for 60 minutes.
Children’s Health and Wellness
-Our children’s wellness program, Get into Fitness Together-Learning and Emotional Activity Program (GIFT-LEAP) is designed for children 5 to 9 years-old.
-The program is 6 weeks and will meet 1 time per week for 60 minutes.
Trainings
-Anyone 18 year and over can be trained.
-If you are trained by our staff to become a GIFT facilitator you will be given the skills and tools needed to teach our GIFT program in your community. You will gain facilitation skills that will help your group get the most out of the program. You will also be given tracking tools and starter packets of both facilitator and student guides to be used during your classes.
-If you are trained by our staff to become a Lifestyle Coach you will be given the skills and tools needed to facilitate the CDC Diabetes Prevention Program in your workplace and/or community. The training is conducted by our Master Trainer Select and takes place over a multiple day timeframe. Once completed you will be able to teach your own classes and be able to track program outcomes that are essential for reporting to the CDC. Please note that to be an active Lifestyle Coach you will need to be affiliated with and organization that will then need to register on the CDCs website.
-Those 18 and over can be trained as a CDC Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach. However, you will need to be affiliated with an organization that will then need to register on the CDC’s website.
Programs and Classes
-Each of our programs have unique qualifications. Please see specific qualifications under each program type.
-Our programs are provided at no cost to you.
-Our programs are located throughout all of Hillsborough County. We offer programs in all parts of the county at various location types. Ex: community centers, senior wellness centers, apartment and housing complexes, faith-based locations, etc.
-Yes! We offer most of our programming as an online/virtual option.
-No. Anyone can participate in our virtual/online options. Or if you are visiting us in some type of capacity, you can join our in-person classes.
-No. Anyone can travel to our classes in Hillsborough County, or you can take our classes with the virtual/online option.
Providers
-We offer a variety of wellness, weight loss, and chronic disease prevention and management programs in the community. By referring your patients to our programs, you can be helping them lower their A1c, manage weight, improve eating habits, and develop other positive health behaviors.
-Patients that have been referred to our programs have an average 1.15 reduction in A1c, lose an average of 6.14% body weight, learn the skills and tools need to make healthy lifestyle changes, and learn healthy eating habits with the help from licensed dietitians and health educators!
– You can call (813) 307-8009, fax (813) 307-8094, and/or email us at programinfo@flheath.gov
