Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES)
The only organization solely dedicated to diabetes care and education specialists
About ADCES
What ADCES is All About
ADCES® is an interdisciplinary professional membership organization dedicated to advancing the quality of diabetes care and education. We aim to enhance understanding, prevention and management of diabetes, ultimately improving the lives of those at risk for and affected by the disease.
Looking for AADE?
You're in the right place. On January 22nd, 2020, the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE) became the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) to better align with the updated specialty title and better represent all that diabetes care and education specialists do for people with diabetes, the diabetes care team, the health care system, payers and providers.
Quality Care
Improving Diabetes Care and Education
Diabetes care and education specialists offer comprehensive education, personalized care and promote self-management skills for people with diabetes, prediabetes and related cardiometabolic conditions.
With over 14,000 members, we have a national network of diabetes care and education specialists and other health professionals working within hospitals, health centers, pharmacies, community-based organizations and other care settings to reduce complications and optimize outcomes for people with diabetes.
Our person-centered, team-based and technology-informed approach improves access to care, enhances quality of care, reduces diabetes-related complications and builds the capacity of the diabetes workforce to provide evidence-based care and services in every community.
Our Mission
Empower diabetes care and education specialists to expand the horizons of innovative education, management and support.
Our Vision
Optimal health and quality of life for persons with, affected by or at risk for diabetes and chronic conditions.
Our Values
Leadership – ADCES leads through education, advocacy, resources and support to cultivate confidence, whereby our members can foster a person-centered world where thriving is a way of life.
Excellence – ADCES strives for the highest quality service, products and resources to meet our members’ needs.
Collaboration – ADCES embraces diverse backgrounds and perspectives and promotes partnerships to increase accessibility of diabetes care and education. We are better together.
Our History and Purpose
In 2023, we celebrated our 50th anniversary. Take a brief look at the history of ADCES in this two-minute video. Learn about our storied past and our ambitious agenda for the future.
Consider joining us as we work tirelessly to provide our members with the tools, resources and education they need to help people with diabetes and prediabetes live their lives to the fullest.
ADCES Services
We're committed to supporting a specialty that works across prediabetes, diabetes and cardiometabolic conditions to connect the health care team and offer holistic, accessible and effective care. To accomplish this, we focus our work on several key areas:
Diabetes Education Services
We're one of two National Accrediting Organizations for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). ADCES-accredited diabetes self-management education and support services are located throughout the U.S. and provide comprehensive, whole-person care offered by a diabetes care and education specialist.
Learn About Our Diabetes Education Accreditation Program.
Technology, Aggregation, Education, Resource Development
Diabetes-related technology is moving at lightning speed. To ensure diabetes care and education specialists are positioned as technical resources and data analyzers within their organizations, ADCES has created danatech®, a comprehensive website about diabetes technology with products, education and other resources.
Learn About danatech.
Diabetes Team Training & Continuing Education
Our numerous continuing education courses give health care professionals working in diabetes care the ability to maintain their credentials, learn from experts in the field and stay abreast of current advancements. From the annual conference and other live events to our online courses, webinars and contract programs, we offer a wide array of educational opportunities.
Learn About Team Training & Continuing Education.
Research, Guidance, and Practical Tools
We offer two subscription publications: The Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care, a journal providing original research that builds the evidence base of the field, and ADCES in Practice, a journal offering practice-focused application of research and best practices. We regularly produce educator and patient-focused resources that highlight an aspect of diabetes care or provide easy-to-understand guidance. We also offer a podcast focused on practical aspects of the profession.
Learn About Our Member-Only Journals & Our Podcast.
Networking and Collaboration
Through our ADCES Connect platform, ADCES members can take advantage of a comprehensive networking infrastructure that allows them to share perspectives, resources and interests. Contacts are made, advice is shared, and care is ultimately strengthened.
Visit ADCES Connect.
Addressing Health Equity in Diabetes Prevention & Education
We've been chosen, along with Emory Centers, to lead a CDC-funded, five-year national effort to improve access to DSMES and diabetes prevention among underserved communities throughout the U.S.
Read About This New Initiative.
Advocacy
We're committed to shaping public policy that affects diabetes care and education specialists and people living with diabetes, prediabetes and related cardiometabolic conditions. We tackle problematic regulations, advance programs and policies that work, and champion initiatives that increase access to diabetes education and supplies.
Learn About Diabetes Advocacy.
2024-2028 Strategic Plan
The new Strategic Plan, set to span the next five years, is focused on issues that matter most to the diabetes care and education specialist. Developed by the ADCES Board of Directors, it is designed to:
- Improve access to diabetes care and education.
- Advance the expertise of the diabetes care and education specialist.
- Grow and diversify ADCES membership.
Join us for the ADCES Business Meeting, to be held virtually on December 12, 2023, to hear the Board of Directors review the plan and provide additional details.
Review the 2024-28 Strategic PlanContact Us
Contact Us by Department
Let us know how we can help you and what's on your mind.
Advocacy
Advocacy information, tools & resources, grassroots trainings, state legislative initiatives
BC-ADM Exam
Board Certified Advanced Diabetes Management certification information
CDCES Exam
Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education, Credential and exam guidance
Joint Accreditation
CE/CME program accreditation
Diabetes Education Accreditation Program
DSMES program accreditation, accredited programs, DEAP Information
Educational Content Development
Favorably Reviewed seal of approval for educational materials
Education Products & Courses
Online courses, webinars, webcasts-on-demand, books
Foundation
Scholarships, research grants, fellowships
Marketing Communications
ADCES in Practice journal, The Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care journal
Media Relations
Media inquiries, interview requests
Meeting Services
Annual Conference, CORE Concepts Course, Diabetes Technology Conference
Member Engagement
Membership join or renewal, member benefits, profile updates, newsletters, mailing list rental, information on publications and courses, miscellaneous
Volunteer Engagement
Coordinating Bodies (CBs), Local Networking Groups (LNGs), Communities of Interest (COIs)
Partnerships & Sponsorships
Information on sponsoring/partnering with ADCES
Practice
White Papers, ADCES Position Statements, Practice Advisories, Practice Guidelines, Competencies for Diabetes Care and Education Specialists
Coordinating Body Sites
Find out what is happening at the local level by contacting your State Coordinating Body. View a complete listing of state-specific sites.
Technical Assistance
ADCES website, danatech website, shopping cart