Toolkits have proven to be practical and resourceful products that can be tailored according to the population we serve. Over eight years ago, the National Diabetes Education Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health understood from community health workers and promotores’  focus groups how simple, easy-to-carry tools, multigenerational and culturally appropriate messages and adaptable resources were crucial in reaching ethnic minorities.

Based on the Diabetes Prevention Study, the toolkit’s resources focus on making healthy food choices, increasing physical activity and weight loss, if overweight; to prevent or delay onset of the disease. The toolkit’s main message is that type 2 diabetes does not have to be your destiny; type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed through lifestyle changes. To assist community based organizations, to increase capacity and facilitate trainings, an easy to use and easy to access training guide and video were developed.

The Road to Health Training Guide and Road to Health Training Video were designed specifically for promotores and community health workers who offer train-the-trainer workshops but also may be used to train others, such as diabetes educators, nurses, dieticians, and church-based health ministries (among others) on how to use The Road to Health Toolkit.

The RTH Training Video brings the RTH toolkit to life as it showcases real live examples of previous trainings conducted by National Diabetes Education Program staff that shows steps to follow, so that later you can perform these training activities yourself while learning how to implement the toolkit. The RTH Training Guide supplements your training while it walks you through selected activities to get new ideas about conducting your own trainings.

The RTH Training Guide provides many suggestions to maximize the RTH toolkit’s use. To view the RTH Training Guide in English, click here.  CHWs and promotores dedicated to diabetes prevention will value this resource and find it very practical.

CHWs and promotores can now take advantage of the RTH Toolkit, RTH Training Guide and RTH Training Video. The RTH Training Videos can be viewed on NDEP’s YouTube channel in English or Spanish. The RTH Training Video has a booklet that can be viewed here.

If you prefer to order the RTH Training Guide, RTH Training Video, or the toolkit call (888) 693-NDEP or visit NDEP at www.ndep.nih.gov.

Continuing Education Credits are also available for reading or viewing the Training Guide and Video, and/or the Road to Health Toolkit.

If you have questions e-mail Betsy Rodríguez, at bjr6@cdc.gov.