Many Michigan Y’s championed the fight against chronic diseases by on-boarding evidence-based programs geared to maintain or improve the health of our community. With so many staff working on the same projects, but at different stages, three local leaders give us their ’lessons learned’ to help others:
If you could go back in time, What would you do differently?:
NR: Understand the programs: go through the trainings so I know what the instructor should be doing, have a deeper understanding of what Y-USA has already created (Brand Resource Center, online communities, etc). Set the programs up differently - show how they are different than our usual classes (separate place on the website, brochures for membership, registration), and educate the staff/leadership about how the programs are different. Be more organized with program roll-out: create a time-line, task list, template for each location, list of FAQs for staff.
TT: I will be more selective about having a YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Classes at a job-site (work prevents them from attending, it’s harder for non-employees to fit in, not having access to the room schedule or storage area, etc). Regarding trainings, start really early; don’t wait until the training is announced—also get new hires on yexchange and working on the free trainings asap. I would also be more prepared for when referral sources dry up—the initial excitement of the program won’t last for ever; and continuously educate your referral sources because they might not fully understand what the program is.
TC: Always have a back up plan: have one extra person available to take over a class in case the regular instructor isn’t available; when meeting with medical professionals, make friends with a couple of people in the office in case someone changes jobs. I would also do more research into what equipment to purchase - I ordered new chairs for the YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program, but they were not the best choice.
Looking back, what WOULD YOU DO THE SAME?:
TT: I started doing monthly Lifestyle Coach meetings when I first started and they helped staff brainstorm ideas, work through problems, vent, and gave me time to share announcements and upcoming classes. I also got in touch with a couple of nurse care managers who were able to help with referrals from doctors, and follow up with patients. I didn’t spend too much time tracking potential participants down—if they are ready for the program, they will call you back.
TC: I’m glad I went through the trainings; it helped me understand the program, and the personalities of my staff. I only do face-to-face in-takes with potential [YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention] Program
participants. I think it’s helped to weed out the individuals who just aren’t ready to make a lifestyle change. When we converted an older adult program into EnhanceFitness, a class participant became a champion the program: she took class in Florida and was able to answer a lot of questions. Our relationship with WISEWOMAN was made stronger because we added the Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program to our suite of programs.
What would you like to happen with these programs in the future (besides funding)?:
NR: I hope that these programs show the same evidence that they did in the original studies. That we can use the data to enhance the testimonials our participants share; that we can demonstrate the impact locally. I hope we continue to share more: the success of our participants, tips/data/choreography with our instructors, share more between Y’s. I hope that we continue to have training opportunities for coordinators. I hope that we are able to do more offsite, like in senior centers.
TT: I hope we can expand our current programs to more off-site locations, specifically Moving For Better Balance. I would like to find another steady referral source.
TC: I hope that AthenaNet will be helpful for all of our programs and will lead to more referrals. I hope that future Y buildings will have a medical clinic of some kind within the facility. I hope that we’ll be able to offer other programs that don’t currently exist like youth obesity.
In the New Year we are sure to face challenges, but are fortunate to have a strong community among our project leaders. Thank you to our three Y leaders for sharing your experiences; looking forward to more lessons learned and best practices in 2017!