PA cAARds! Info Card

Q: WHAT IS PA cAARds!?

Q: WHAT MAKES PA cAARds! IMPORTANT?

A: PA cAARds! is a statewide training and implementation initiative that

A: Diabetes and tobacco use are a dangerous combination; tobacco use

trains you in a brief intervention and referral process developed to pro-

increases insulin resistance, negatively impacts diabetes control and

actively address the dual risks of unmanaged diabetes and tobacco use.

increases diabetes-related complications. Due to the complex and over-

This process maximizes utilization of regional and statewide resources

whelming relationship between diabetes and tobacco use/exposure,

as well as guides you through the steps of the implementation process.

addressing the harmful impact requires an integrated approach that

PA cAARds! is the first integrated intervention of its kind in Pennsylvania,

emphasizes communication across disciplines.

and a unique collaborative effort between the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Diabetes and Tobacco Prevention and Control Programs.

Q: HOW DOES PA cAARds! WORK?

A: PA cAARds! implements an integrated process through which diaQ: WHO IS PA cAARds! DESIGNED FOR?

betes and tobacco professionals learn to use a brief intervention pro-

A: PA cAARds! is designed for diabetes and tobacco control profes-

cess to cross refer their clients and patients to diabetes education/

sionals and paraprofessionals. Diabetes professionals and paraprofes-

self-management and tobacco cessation services. PA cAARds! uses the

sionals do not need to be tobacco cessation providers nor do tobacco

Ask, Advise, Refer model, which incorporates three of the “5 A’s” (Ask,

professional and paraprofessionals need to be diabetes educators.

Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange), an evidence-based behavioral change

Instead, you can use the brief Ask, Advise, Refer intervention to link

and health modification approach into an abbreviated intervention that

your patients and clients to existing services for tobacco cessation and

remains consistent with recommended guidelines.

diabetes management and education.

Q: HOW WAS PA cAARds! DEVELOPED?

A: PA cAARds! was adapted from California’s “Do you cAARd?” program,

For more information, please visit our

a best practice model developed for diabetes health professionals by the

website at beabridge.org/pacaards,

California Diabetes Program and California Smoker’s Helpline. In October of

or call Marlin Williams, 215.731.6109.

2008, a group of local experts from across Pennsylvania lead by the Health Promotion Council came together to review the California-based program with the purpose of making it bidirectional and applicable to Pennsylva-

PA cAARds! is funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

nia. The result of that meeting produced the framework for PA cAARds!

PA cAARds! is an initiative of BE A BRIDGE, a

Afterwards, each of the six health districts of Pennsylvania reviewed the

program of Health Promotion Council (HPC).

campaign framework and added additional feedback and development. In

HPC is a United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania Community Partner. Donor option code: 589

Pennsylvania, 45 individuals representing 30 organizations across the commonwealth have already successfully participated in the pilot version of the PA cAARds! program during the course of the past year.

Q: HOW DOES THIS TRAINING BENEFIT ME AND/OR MY ORGANIZATIONS?

A: In addition to the impact this intervention will have in improving the health of your patients and clients, PA cAARds! is FREE and Continuing Education Credit hours are available to everyone that attends. Technical assistance is also available in the implementation of PA cAARds! to any organization represented at the trainings.

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