Diabetes Self-Management Education Program
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, pre-diabetes, or gestational diabetes, you know it is a disease in which the body is unable to properly use and store glucose. You also know that with education and careful management you can live well with diabetes.
Our Diabetes Self-Management Education Program is designed to help you understand the disease and learn to manage it.
Experienced staff is here to guide and advise you. We provide care to help you achieve the optimum level of health. We also provide the support you need to make well-informed decisions about your care.
Our program has been recognized by the American Diabetes Association and meets its national standards for self-management education programs. These standards ensure that the program is well organized and effective in providing the instruction and support needed by diabetes patients to manage the disease. The standards also ensure that our program is comprehensive, well staffed and designed to meet the individual needs of all the participants.
Services
Group Sessions to Assist with Skills, Information and Living with Diabetes
Our program offers a series of workshops where you can discuss all aspects of
diabetes management, from basic information to advanced level skills, in a small
supportive group. Your partner or support person is invited to attend with you.
Classes are conveniently offered at the following locations: Farmington, East
Hartford, West Hartford, and Simsbury.
Workshops include:
- New to Diabetes Care
- Meal Planning and Carbohydrate Counting Workshop
- Diabetes Self-Management Series (Full Day Program)
- Healthier Holidays: Reduce Stress, Enjoy, and Avoid Weight Gain
Our team will meet with you and your support person, and provide information on all aspects of diabetes management and control.
Individual Counseling Sessions on Type 1, Type 2, Pregnancy Planning, Gestational Diabetes, and Using New Equipment
Discussion topics include:
- Meal planning, carbohydrate counting, weight control
- Activity and exercise planning
- Medications
- Self blood glucose monitoring
- Sick day management
- Ketone testing
- Pregnancy and pre-pregnancy planning
- Gestational diabetes guidance
- Stress management, risk reduction and problem solving
- Updates on new injection equipment, monitoring devices, medications
- Intensive insulin management and insulin pumps
Insurance Coverage
Fees for our services are covered by many insurance plans; a written referral will assist with insurance coverage. Please contact your insurer about coverage and out-of-pocket expenses. Fee or co-payment is required prior to the class at check-in. Cash, check or credit cards are accepted.

How to Register
To register for group sessions or make an individual appointment, call 800-535-6232 or 860-679-7692.
A patient referral form is required prior to registering for a workshop or scheduling an appointment. Ask your physician to complete the Patient Referral/Order Form and fax it to 860-679-8359.
Program Locations
UConn Health Center
Dowling North Medical Building
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06030
Directions
UConn Health Partners
99 Ash Street
East Hartford, CT 06108
860-282-8510
Directions
UConn Health Partners
65 Kane Street
West Hartford, CT 06119
Directions
UConn Medical Group
381 Hopmeadow Street
(Near the Simsbury Inn)
Simsbury, CT 06070
Directions

Jean Kostak
Talks About Diabetes Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies
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