Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) has partnered with El Centro de Corazón again this year through their Healthy Kids, Healthy Families Initiative. BCBSTX has awarded El Centro with a 2016-2017 grant of $100,000 as part of their commitment to help stem the rising tide of obesity and related chronic conditions (like diabetes) by focusing on four areas: nutrition education, promoting physical activity, preventing and managing disease, and supporting safe environments.

As a Healthy Kids, Healthy Families grantee, El Centro aims to improve the health and wellness of children, adults and families through the Reducing Diabetes Risks for the Whole Family Project. This project is an initiative to equip families with the nutritional support, medical care and tools needed to improve Type 2 diabetes.

Through this grant, El Centro plans to implement the CDC’s Lifestyle Change Program, which is an evidenced-based program to specifically prevent Type 2 diabetes. The CDC’s Lifestyle Change Program at El Centro will be implemented by a multidisciplinary team that will work together to become lifestyle coaches and that will train in educating and coaching participants on strategies for the self-monitoring of diet and physical activity, building self-efficacy and social support, and problem-solving to overcome weight, exercise and eating challenges.