Care of Children with Diabetes

Nutrition/Eating Healthy

 If you have an infant or child less than five years of age with diabetes, the Virgin Islands Department of Health - Women, Infants and Children’s (WIC) Program may be able to help. WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for women, infants and children that provides food, nutrition education and referrals to other health and social science programs.

 Children with diabetes should speak with a qualified nutritionist or registered dietician for the appropriate diet to help them control their blood sugar and to ensure proper growth. WIC has nutritionists and dieticians on staff. If your child is on insulin, timing of meals and types of food choices are important to help control blood sugar. Also, certain foods, which contain simple starches such as juices and refined starches, should be used carefully in your child’s diet in order to keep the blood sugar within normal range.

To be eligible for WIC, you must meet the following criteria:

1. Determined to be a pregnant, breastfeeding or postpartum woman or an infant or child less than 5 years of age.
2. Live within the Virgin Islands
3. Have a health or nutritional risk based on:
Height/weight measurements
Blood test for iron deficiency
Health history
Diet history

 You are automatically eligible for WIC if you receive food stamps, medical assistance (MAP) of temporary assistance for needy families (TANF).
If you do not receive these benefits and your household gross income (sum of income for all working members in your household before taxes) is less than the guidelines required, you are income eligible. For more information, please e-mail info@diabetes.org.

This institution (WIC) is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Physical Activity

In St. Croix

St. Croix information soon to come, please check back later.

Photo courtesy of Stewart Shulterbrandt

 Mr. Paul Lane most popularly known as Coach Jackie also provides free soccer training on Saturday mornings from 9:00 am –12:00 pm for children ages 5 to17. The sessions take place at the St. Croix Educational Complex. To register, call Coach Lane at 340-778-5172 or e-mail him at jackie_260@hotmail.com. Please note there may be a cost associated with supplies and equipment such as uniforms and shoes.

In St. Thomas

 The V.I. Housing Parks and Recreation under the direction of Assistant Commissioner, Mr. Stanley Smith provides free and safe physical activities for children after school. With the permission of parents, children can participate in baseball, boxing, basketball, track and field and volleyball. Please note that some insurance fees are required on some activities. Mr. Glenwood Dickenson, Director can be reached at 340-774-2640 to provide more information or to register a child for these activities in St. Thomas, VI.

Baseball
Age: Ages 8-10 and Ages 11-12
Place: Joseph Aubain Ball Park

Boxing Program
Age: Ages 10 and up
Place: Winston Raymo Recreation Center
Must pay application fee, insurance included.

After School Program
Volleyball/Basketball
Place: Alvin McBean Park, Tutu

Stay in School Program
Basketball Tournament for Boys/Girls
Holiday/Weekends/Saturdays/Sundays
Age: Ages 13-18
Place: Charlotte Amalie High School

Track and Field Program
Age: Elementary
Place: Charlotte Amalie High School Track

Elementary Basketball League (starts in January 2004)
Age: Elementary
For both boys and girls

Please note, these are just a few of the free activities available in the USVI, please contact us at 340.713.8224 for specific information on any of the above mentioned.

Helping the Student with Diabetes Succeed: A Guide for School Personnel Now Available from the National Diabetes Education Program

This comprehensive guide provides school personnel, parents, and students with a framework for managing diabetes effectively in the school setting. Developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Diabetes Education Program, the guide includes user-friendly tools, copier-ready action plans, a diabetes primer, and a review of school responsibilities under federal laws. To obtain a copy of the guide, visit www.ndep.nih.gov/get-info/children.htm or call 1-800-438-5383. You can also print a copy of the request form by clicking here.
The NDEP Guide was developed in response to problems faced by both parents of students with diabetes and school personnel. Typical problems involve students who have no one to help them with daily diabetes care tasks (such as checking blood glucose levels or administering insulin) or in the case of a diabetes emergency. Some students are not permitted to self-manage their diabetes. Other problems emerge when students are excluded from extracurricular events and field trips--or even are told they are not welcome at a particular school because they have diabetes.

Helping the Student with Diabetes Succeed: A Guide for School Personnel reflects a consensus from a broad spectrum of federal agencies and leading organizations in the diabetes and education communities on how schools can better meet the medical needs of students with diabetes. Get your copy today.