Chronic disease self-management lay leader training to start Sept. 19

The Delaware Chronic Disease Self-Management Program will host free lay leader training from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday, Sept. 19-20, and Sept. 26-27, in Dover. 

The workshop teaches people the skills needed in managing chronic conditions day by day and maintaining or increasing activity levels. The program is designed to help people gain self-confidence in their ability to control their symptoms and learn how their health problems affect their lives. 

Small-group workshops are six weeks long, meeting once a week for two-and-a-half hours, led by lay leaders with chronic conditions. The meetings are highly interactive, focusing on building skills, sharing experiences and support. 

Participants will learn how to make weekly action plans and help each other solve problems they encounter in creating and carrying out the self-management program. 

In becoming a lay leader, a person should have a chronic condition or be a health professional or want to do volunteer work with a minimal stipend provided. Potential lay leaders must be willing to implement at least two to six days of workshops annually. Lay leaders must have interest in helping improve the quality of lives for people living with chronic conditions.

To be eligible to teach, participants must attend all four days of training. 

For more information or to sign up call 302-990-0522 or email selfmanagementprogramsde@gmail.com.