- Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP)
- Clinical Resources
- Diabetes Standards of Care and Resources for Clinicians and Educators
- Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support
Diabetes Standards of Care and Resources for Clinicians and Educators
Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support
Diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) is an integral part of diabetes care. The goal of DSMES is to improve clinical outcomes, health status, and quality of life for people with diabetes. It provides knowledge and builds skills and abilities needed for effective self-care through informed decision making, problem solving, and collaboration with the health care team. Person-centered, culturally appropriate DSMES helps individuals manage their diabetes care over time. It is especially important if they experience lifestyle challenges, medication changes, disease progression, and stress-related conditions.
Resource Links
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Clinical Practice Recommendations
Recommendations for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support
- Offer referral for individualized DSMES at diagnosis, and then annually. DSMES should:
- Follow the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education. Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov
- Focus on one or more of the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists ADCES7 Self-Care Behaviors for diabetes self-management: healthy eating, being active, blood glucose monitoring, taking medications, risk reduction, healthy coping, and problem solving.
- Evaluate the need for DSMES when not meeting treatment goals, when complicating factors (e.g. health conditions, physical limitations, emotional factors, or basic living needs) that influence self-management develop, or when transitions in life and care occur.
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DSMES services may be offered through a formal education program or through brief encounters that focus on the individual needs of the patient and/or family member/caregiver. DSMES can be a Medicare-reimbursable service when provided by an accredited program. DSMES accredited programs are available in some American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Clinician and Educator Resources
Featured Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Resources
Diabetes Education Recognition Programs
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Education Recognition Program Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov |
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Diabetes Education Accreditation Program (DEAP) Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov |
Patient Education Resources
Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support Patient Education Resources
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Education Materials and Resources (Online Catalog) |
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Managing Diabetes Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov Preventing Diabetes Problems Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov Healthy Living with Diabetes Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov |
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ADCES7 Self-Care Behaviors Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov |
CME Training
| Session Title | Session Material | CME/CE Information |
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New Narrative Medicine: Exploring Patient Experiences of Diabetes Through Zines and Storytelling Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov
Paul Ryland MSW
Department of Social Work College of Health and Human Sciences Western Carolina University (Originally presented on 04/15/2026) |
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New Case Management - Practicing Population Health to Engage Patients as Partners in Care Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov
Krista Haven RN, MSN, CDE
Indian Health Service Department of Health and Human Service (Originally presented on 01/28/2026) |
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New Uncovering the Power of Diabetes Technology: CGM and Its Metrics Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov
Audree Hall BA
Time in Range Coalition The diaTribe Foundation (Originally presented on 01/21/2026) |
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New Sweet Facts about Pharmacists in Diabetes Care and Education Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov
Aimee C. Reinhard
Pharm D, NCPS, Clinical Pharmacist, Diabetes Care and Education (Originally presented on 10/01/2025) |
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New Wewoka Indian Health Center Intensive Diabetes Management Practice Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov
LCDR Robert Montanez PharmD
Wewoka Indian Health Center LCDR Aaron Johnson PharmD Wewoka Indian Health Center (Originally presented on 09/10/2025) |
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Will Funmaker MBA, MLT (ASCP)CM
Executive Director (GLATHB) Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council INC. (Originally presented on 08/06/2025) |
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New Utilizing Community Health Representatives for Improving Diabetes Management Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov
Bill Adams MSN, RN, CDCES, CCHW, NHDP-BC
Indian Health Service Sabrina Baca CHW Jicarilla Apache Community Health and Fitness Center Jicarilla Apache Nation Michelle Tafoya CHW Pueblo of Santa Clara (Originally presented on 07/23/2025) |
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Beverly Thomassian RN, MPH, CDCES, BC-ADM
Colusa Indian Health (Originally presented on 06/25/2025) |
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New Using Motivational Interviewing (MI) to Improve Outcomes for Diabetes Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov
Misty L. Boyd Ph.D.
Chickasaw Nation (Originally presented on 06/11/2025) |
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New dStigmatizing Diabetes: Addressing Diabetes Stigma and Its Impacts Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov
Matthew Garza B.S.
The diaTribe Foundation (Originally presented on 04/16/2025) |
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New Cancer Risk in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes & the Collaborative Development of the Living Curriculum Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov
Melinda S. Smith
Center for Health Equity Research Northern Arizona University Kellen Polingyumptewa Hopi Cancer Support Services Program Hopi Department of Health and Human Services Elvia Sanchez BA Hopi Wellness Center Hopi Department of Health and Human Services (Originally presented on 04/09/2025) |
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New Perspectives from Nutrition Educators on What Can I Eat? Healthy Choices for American Indians Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov
Sarah Stotz PhD, MS, RDN, CDCES
Colorado State University Kelli Begay MS, MBA, RDN Maven Collective Consulting Teresa Hicks RDN, CDCES Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Nick Begick RDN, CDCES Oklahoma City Indian Clinic Jessica LaFromboise MS, RDN Wewoka Indian Health Center Veronica Leahy DCES Tulalip Health System (Originally presented on 03/26/2025) |
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New Spirit Within Project Health Passport Night and Integrated Care Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov
Sarah Maestas CPT
Denver Indian Health and Family Services Leah Fitzgerald PharmD, BCACP Denver Indian Health and Family Services (Originally presented on 12/18/2024) |
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New Defusing Distress: Helping Patients with Diabetes Distress Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov
Carol Greenlee MD MACP
Western Slope Endocrinology (Originally presented on 10/16/2024) |
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New Update on Biosimilar Insulins for Diabetes Management Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov
Kristy Klinger PharmD, PhC, CDCES, BC-ADM
USPHS – Indian Health Service (retired) Gallup Community Health (Originally presented on 05/29/2024) |
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New Reclaiming Indigenous Health: Embracing traditional values, culture, and history to reduce cancer burden Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov
Wyatt Pickner MPH
American Indian Cancer Foundation (Originally presented on 05/01/2024) |
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New Applying the ADCES 7-Self Care Behaviors in Navajo Communities Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov
Denee Bex MPH, RD, CDCES
Tumbleweed Nutrition LLC (Originally presented on 04/03/2024) |
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New Results from the 2023 IHS Diabetes Care and Outcomes Audit Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov
Richard Arakaki MD
IHS Division of Diabetes Treatment and Prevention (DDTP) Karen Sheff MS (Originally presented on 11/08/2023) |
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New Diabetes Motivational Interviewing in Integrated Care Settings Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov
Anthony Fleg MD, MPH
Sister Sky, Inc. (Originally presented on 10/12/2023) |
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Jane K. Dickinson RN, PhD, CDCES
Teachers College Columbia University (Originally presented on 09/13/2023) |
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New Health Coaching: Practitioner Perspectives in Improving Health Outcomes Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov
Jill Breyen MS, RDN, CDCES
Red Lake Comprehensive Health Services Red Lake Indian Hospital (Originally presented on 09/06/2023) |
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