Support Groups and Workshops
Diabetes and Me
A workshop for 11-to-14-year-olds with type 1 diabetes
A fun and informal workshop for middle schoolers (11 to 14 years old) that is focused on living with diabetes, facilitated by two diabetes social workers. Topics to be discussed may include:
- Talking to friends and classmates about diabetes
- Coping with the ups and downs of diabetes
- Bullying, teasing and just feeling different
- Dealing with high and low blood sugars
- Making room for diabetes care in sports, activities and hobbies
Space is limited (a maximum of 12 spaces available) for all workshop dates. At this time, this workshop can only be offered to patients seen at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
Times, dates and location
Saturdays, 10 am to Noon
Virtual via Zoom
Registration and more information
At this time, all in-person gatherings at Seattle Children’s remain on hold and this disrupted the typical frequency of Diabetes and Me in 2020 and 2021. For now we plan to hold these valuable gatherings via Zoom and are hopeful (though not certain) that we may be able to hold some of the 2022 workshops in-person on the dates listed. Please email Jessica Koppy, LICSW, or call her at 206-987-0179 for the most updated group status, to reserve a spot, or for more information.
L’Kidds (Little Kids With Insulin-Dependent Diabetes)
A parent support group
Little Kids With Insulin Dependent Diabetes (L’Kidds) is a parent-led support group for parents of infants, toddlers, preschoolers and elementary school age kids with diabetes. Join us as we share with each other what it is like to parent/care for a young child with diabetes. We look forward to meeting you!
Times, dates and location
Saturdays, 10am-11am
Virtual via Zoom
- Feb. 5, 2022
- May 7, 2022
- July 30, 2022
- Nov. 12, 2022
Registration and more information
Please email the parent facilitator for more information, to RSVP or for questions regarding this group. Group meetings will be held virtually until further notice.
Parent-Designated Adult Classes
We offer a 2 part series on diabetes care and management for caregivers. A Parent Designated Adult (PDA) is someone who has been trained to provide care for patients who need medical attention in a school setting. The PDA is taught basic information and skills for diabetes management, such as:
- Basic information about Type 1 Diabetes
- How to use a glucometer
- How to read and interpret a continuous glucose monitor
- How to calculate insulin doses
- General information about insulin pumps
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of low/high blood sugars
- How to treat low/high blood sugars
- How to administer emergency medication in case of severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- When to contact parents
This certification includes 2 sessions and participants must complete both to become certified as a PDA.
The first part is to watch our educational Diabetes Parent Designated Adult Video Module Series on your own time. The second part is to attend an in-person skills verification session to demonstrate knowledge. We allow up to 20 participants to attend an hour-long session on the dates listed below. Once the participant’s skills have been verified, they will receive their certificate.
Times, dates and location
The skills verification sessions are held at the Sand Point Clinic.
- Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022 from 4 to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022 from 1 to 4 p.m.
We will offer this class monthly or quarterly during the academic year based on the demand.
Registration and more information
Please email us for more information and to register for a time for the skills verification session.
Insulin Pump Therapy
We offer insulin pump therapy classes to caregivers of our current patients only. The first class provides general information and reviews the different types of insulin pumps. The second class is a training that occurs once you have received your child’s insulin pump.
Times, dates and location
Insulin pump information class is held on Tuesdays.
Insulin pump training is held on Thursdays.
Virtual and in-person options are available.
Registration and more information
For more information on insulin pump therapy classes, please talk to your child’s provider.
