Use the Diabetes at Work Lesson Plans to help your employees learn how to best manage their diabetes. This eight-lesson series provides up-to-date diabetes information and tools for your employees. Offer the Understanding Diabetes lesson first, and then you can offer the remaining seven presentations in any order. All eight diabetes management lesson plans and supporting PowerPoint slides can be found on Diabetes at Work under Quick Links/Lesson Plans. While the lessons focus on diabetes issues, many can be adapted to discuss high blood pressure, heart disease prevention, weight loss and management, physical activity, nutrition and stress management.

Plan now to offer all of the lessons to your employees.

• Presentation Guide with objectives, presentation outline, handout links and suggested group activities or exercises
• PowerPoint Slides with presenter Talking Points

• Schedule your presentation. Each presentation is designed to last 30 minutes. Often, the best times for health and wellness presentations are just before or after shifts and during lunch breaks.
• Secure presenters. Some presentations encourage the use of outside presenters, such as diabetes nurse educators, pharmacists or health plan representatives. Be sure these people are available on the date you have selected.
• Secure a location. Locations must accommodate PowerPoint, and internet access is also helpful. Table seating is ideal because it will allow participants to take notes and interact with the instructor and each other.
• Secure necessary tools and supplies. Each presentation relies on a PowerPoint. Links to handouts are provided. Gather all handouts prior to the session and consider printing out the PowerPoint slides in notes format for the participants. Provide additional paper, pens and pencils. Consider providing beverages and snacks.
• Promote the presentation. Use the various communication channels available in your worksite to promote the session at least one month in advance and weekly thereafter.
• Practice the presentation. Review the Presentation Guide and run through the presentation to be sure you are comfortable with the material and the audio visual equipment.

• Arrive 15-30 minutes before the presentation.
• Set up the room to your specifications and put out handouts, note-taking materials, beverages and snacks.
• Test audio visual equipment and PowerPoint slides.
• Welcome participants and begin presentation on time.

• Before the presentation, review the agenda and ground rules. Remind people to turn off electronic devices or put them on vibrate. Discourage multiple conversations. Let people know when they will be able to ask questions.
• During the presentation, do not answer specific health questions. Direct participants to their health care providers.
• At the end of the presentation, encourage your employees with diabetes to ask their health care providers for a referral to a diabetes self-management education program, preferably an American Diabetes Association Recognized Education Program or a program accredited by the American Association of Diabetes Educators.
• Share additional Diabetes at Work resources with your employees.