Year: 2025

Below is the summary from the Q&A call we held yesterday for the DSMES Mentorship Cohort Program. Included is a link and password to view the recording of the Q&A session. Reminder, all applications are due by 5:00 pm on August 25, 2025. The link to the application is in the opportunity announcement document, click here, and here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/25_26DSMESApplication

Recording Link

https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/mtp5DQmdX4MZvxlDRRXiHAu8lPKuZ6AI7-P91JICNi_PYJN3O3LBebq3GryAAtJL.WDlgoj_iCy2V1taC 

Passcode: 4Aif$pBM

Link to PowerPoint here

Summary

Diabetes Mentorship Program Launch

The Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida, along with partners including the Florida Department of Health, Florida Diabetes Alliance, WellFlorida, and Big Bend Health Council, launched a new 3-year diabetes self-management education and support mentorship program. The program aims to increase access to diabetes education services in underserved areas by providing mentorship, technical assistance, and up to $4,000 in resource support to 5-8 agencies per cohort. The program will be implemented through monthly technical assistance calls and one-on-one mentor support, with applications being accepted through a SurveyMonkey form.

Statewide Diabetes Education Support Program

The meeting discussed a program to support diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) services across the state. Peggy explained that the program will provide resources and mentorship to organizations working towards accreditation or recognition from the American Diabetes Association and the Association for Diabetes Care and Education Specialists. She outlined the program’s objectives, which range from building basic services to expanding existing programs, and emphasized the importance of community partnerships. The program will run from September 12th through May 8th, and will prioritize serving rural and underserved communities.

Cohort Program Mentorship and Reporting

The meeting discussed the details of a cohort program running through May 8th, where participants will be paired with mentors to guide them through establishing work plans and achieving program success. Reporting requirements were outlined, including monthly surveys via SurveyMonkey to track progress and compliance with national standards, demographic data collection, and participation in monthly Zoom calls featuring lessons from the Florida Diabetes Alliance. Julia Cooper, the manager of community initiatives, explained the application process through SurveyMonkey, emphasizing the importance of reading the provided documentation to ensure the program aligns with participants’ needs.

DSMES Program Application Overview

Julia explained the application process for the diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) program, emphasizing that only adult-focused programs are eligible. She outlined the scoring criteria and application requirements, including the need for proposed staff if the organization does not currently offer DSMES services. Peggy clarified that county health departments are not eligible for funding but encouraged them to seek technical assistance and other support. The application deadline is August 25, and the program will run until May 8, 2026.

Diabetes Education Program Funding Criteria

The meeting discussed the criteria and funding details for a diabetes education program. An inquiry was made about whether the grant would cover certification exam fees, to which Peggy clarified that it would not, but training for program building could be funded. It was asked about the funding for glucose monitors, and Peggy explained that only educational materials, curricula, training, and accreditation fees would be covered, not clinical items or marketing. The conversation ended with an invitation for written questions and a reminder about the upcoming recording and summary distribution.

We’re thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity that could transform diabetes care in Florida! Applications are now open for the Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) Mentorship Cohort Program.

What is this opportunity?

This mentorship cohort is designed to empower organizations like yours to establish, build, achieve accreditation for, sustain, increase access to, or expand high-quality DSMES services for adults across Florida. If you’re passionate about making a real impact in your community, this program is for you! Click here to access the program opportunity document for more information. 

What’s in it for you?

Successful applicants will receive:

• Individual and group technical assistance and mentorship from experts in the field.
• The chance to request $1,000 – $4,000 in resource support to bolster your efforts.

The program runs from approximately September 12, 2025, to May 8, 2026, offering ample time to achieve your goals.

Our Shared Mission: Why This Matters

The core purpose of this program is to significantly increase access to quality DSMES services and strengthen the organizational capacity to deliver exceptional diabetes self-management education and support.

We are particularly focused on reaching:

• Rural communities that currently lack recognized or accredited DSMES programs.
• Populations disproportionately affected by high rates of type 2 diabetes, its complications, and diabetes-related deaths.

Our short-term goal is to help more DSMES programs get on the path toward accreditation or recognition. The long-term vision is to dramatically increase the number of programs in Florida that meet the National Standards for accreditation and/or recognition, ultimately improving countless lives.

Ready to Apply?

Applying is simple! Complete your application via our SurveyMonkey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/25_26DSMESApplication

Important Dates and Information:

Have questions after reviewing the funding announcement and application? Please submit all questions using this SurveyMonkey link before the Q&A call: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XGHBWFK

Key Dates:

• Q&A Zoom Call: Monday, August 11, 2025, from 3:30 – 4:30 PM ET
  • Join here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86499027872?pwd=op0G7V9WsXp4tIAmi0XsawThklAfR0.1
  • Meeting ID: 864 9902 7872
  • Passcode: 168880
• Application Deadline: Monday, August 25, 2025
• Awards Announced: Anticipated by Friday, September 12, 2025

For any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Peggy Brown at Planning@hpcswf.com.

We look forward to partnering with you to make a significant difference in the lives of Floridians managing diabetes!

The Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida, Inc. recently completed our annual meeting, where we provided an overview of our agency, a summary of all services and programs, and some information on their impact on the counties in our area. We also unveiled the 2025 County Health Profiles and discussed how our efforts align with the health priorities of each county. Below is a summary of the annual meeting, along with links to the county health profiles and the impact survey.

Click here to view the presentation that was used during the meeting. 

Link to County Health Profiles

Link to HPC Impact Survey

Quick recap

The Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida presented an overview of their programs and initiatives aimed at improving health and wellness across 11 counties in Southwest Florida. Key programs discussed included early intervention services, infant mental health, health planning data collection, ACA navigation, emergency preparedness, and housing assistance for individuals with HIV/AIDS. The council emphasized their commitment to community partnerships and provided insights into their various resources, including county health profiles and strategic planning services.

Summary

Health Planning Council Impact Overview

The Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida, led by CEO Brian Hemmert, provided an overview of their programs and impact on the community. The organization, which has been operating for nearly 50 years, focuses on improving health and wellness, promoting early intervention, and reducing health disparities across 11 counties in Southwest Florida. Key programs discussed included early intervention services, infant mental health, health planning data collection, and ACA navigation, with each program achieving significant outcomes such as assisting over 6,000 families through early intervention and helping over 20,000 individuals with healthcare coverage. The council emphasized their commitment to community partnerships and expressed gratitude for the support of various organizations and board members.

Early Intervention Programs Overview

Trina presented an overview of early intervention programs, focusing on Early Steps, a statewide program funded by federal and state governments, which serves children birth to 3 years old with disabilities or developmental delays across 10 counties. She explained the program’s services, including individualized family support plans, home visits, and a seamless transition to preschool through the Child Inclusion Project. Trina also highlighted the Alternative Augmentative Communication program, which provides devices to nonverbal children, and the community playgroups that promote social interaction. She emphasized the importance of early intervention, citing research showing significant cost savings and improved outcomes for children with developmental delays. Trina discussed a donation request for old iPads and tablets to be converted into loanable devices for children in the AAC program.

Navigator Project

Mokina presented an overview of the Navigator Project, explaining its role in assisting individuals with enrolling in health coverage through the marketplace since 2013. The project provides unbiased information, helps with applications, and conducts community education, with services available in multiple languages and through various outreach efforts.

Early Childhood Mental Health Programs

Jessica Stone, a licensed mental health counselor and Infant Mental Health Coordinator, presented on the importance of early childhood development and the impact of early intervention programs. She discussed her work with the Early Learning Coalition of Southwest Florida, where she provides consultation visits and coaching support to preschools to enhance educators’ capacities in supporting children’s social and emotional needs. Jessica also highlighted her role as Chapter Chair of the Southwest chapter of the Florida Association for Infant Mental Health and mentioned the association’s endorsement program for various professionals working with young children. Brian, who previously ran psychiatric hospitals, emphasized the significance of infant mental health programs in preventing future mental health issues and their potential to make a substantial impact on the community.

Southwest Florida Healthcare Coalition and HOPWA

Peggy Brown, the director of planning at the Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida, discussed various programs and initiatives, including the Southwest Florida Healthcare Coalition, which focuses on emergency preparedness and response. She highlighted the coalition’s efforts in training, exercises, resource management, and communication, and mentioned the launch of health profiles. Brown also talked about the Pediatric Emergency Preparedness Initiative (PEPI), which includes distributing sensory kits to ambulances and training EMS agencies to handle pediatric emergencies. Additionally, she explained the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program, which provides housing assistance to individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS.

Health Planning  Program Overview

Peggy Brown presented an overview of the Health Planning Council’s programs, including the Health Planning program, community health assessments, and strategic planning services. She highlighted an ongoing assessment in Collier County and mentioned that the council offers various fact sheets and educational resources on topics such as youth substance abuse and disaster preparedness. Peggy also introduced HPC Strategies, a new service offering strategic planning assistance to nonprofits and other organizations.

2025 County Health Profiles Overview

Julia presented the 2025 County Health Profiles, an annual update created by Health Councils across the state. She demonstrated how to access and navigate the profiles on the HPC SWF website, highlighting key features like color coding for county comparison, trends analysis, and data sources. Julia walked through various data categories including demographics, socioeconomic factors, workforce health, healthcare access, and community context, using examples from different counties to illustrate important points about interpreting the data.

Health Initiatives Overview

The Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida presented an overview of their programs and initiatives, including county health profiles, mental health services, chronic disease management, and access to care. Peggy and Brian discussed how the council collaborates with local organizations to address health priorities in the region. The meeting included a survey for feedback and encouraged participants to reach out with suggestions for future partnerships.