Coalition Development
In an effort to increase awareness of the prevention and self-management of diabetes, the Diabetes Initiative of South Carolina (DSC) formed a partnership with the South Carolina Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (SC DPCP) to form local diabetes coalitions in the fall of 1999. After establishing the local coalitions, DSC and SC DPCP identified the needs for linkage between the coalitions throughout the state. To assure that all coalitions were operating under the same guidelines, DSC and SC DPCP, along with eight coalition representatives came together and developed the Principles of Organization (pdf).
Currently there are, 34 coalitions across the state. Of the 34 coalitions, 16 of them are currently still active and producing outcomes while the remaining 18 have experienced challenges and need leadership and guidance. The SC DPCP will provide them with training and skills to improve their community capacity. There are also numerous support groups throughout the state that have been organized to help support those with diabetes. Coalition members have formed a deep commitment to attending the local coalition chapter meetings along with participating in the local efforts to address diabetes in their communities.
Click here (pdf) for a map of the South Carolina Diabetes Prevention and Control Diabetes Coalitions.
The goals of the coalitions are to:
- Provide a forum for local communities to discuss diabetes-related activities that are locally driven and controlled.
- Share resources and information with the expectation that all such efforts will support the implementation of the DPCP/DSC 10 Year Strategic Plan.
- Help create awareness of diabetes and its related issues at the community levels.
- Increase communication and coordination among existing organizations and institutions to reduce unnecessary duplication of diabetes related projects.
- Obtain collaboration between organizations.
- Help solicit corporate support for community projects.
The DPCP continues to provide mini-grants to establish coalitions across the state that
implement activities aimed at increasing awareness of diabetes in SC. Each year the SC DPCP funds up to 8 local diabetes coalitions to provide a forum for the coalitions to establish
infrastructure, write a plan to address the issues surrounding diabetes in their individual
communities, and to progress towards sustainability. The amounts awarded ranged from $3000
to $14,000.
The coalitions funded for FY 08-09 are:
Capacity building funding in the amount of $3000
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- Georgetown CORE Group (Coalition (Region 6)
- Horry County Diabetes Coalition (Region 6)
- Edisto Diabetes Coalition (Region 5)
- Aiken County Diabetes Coalition (Region 5)
- Midlands Diabetes Coalition (Region 3)
Basic implementation funding in the amount ranging from $9,000 -$14,000
- Low Country Diabetes Initiative (Region 8 - $$9,000)
- Williamsburg Diabetes Education and Control Coalition (Region 6 - $14,000)
Activities planned for this grant cycle include implementing Diabetes Today Training, Diabetes 101, nutrition/physical activity program, Health Ministry Training, implementation of the Choose to Live Curriculum, NDEP’S Power to Prevent Curriculum, Wisewomen, WiseMan and New Leaf Curriculum, developing or updating a diabetes community resource directory, conducting Diabetes Road Shows, hosting "Ask the Doctor" community sessions, hosting community mini-diabetes conferences, and developing exercise and nutrition programs with local churches. During the DSC Annual Fall Symposium the coalitions displays some of their accomplishments by participating in the scientific the poster session. The top three will receive a monetary reward form DSC. Coalitions are required to submit two success stories throughout the grant cycle. They are also responsible for reporting their activities to DPCP using SCORES. The funding period begins August 25, 2008 and will end March 29, 2009.
For additional information contact:
Michelle Moody, BA, MPH, CHES
Statewide Coalition Coordinator
803-545-4473