Resources to Encourage Participant Retention

Programs have used many different strategies to help with participant retention. Some examples include:

Interview potential participants to assess readiness to complete the year-long program.
Start program sessions at the first of the year, after the holiday season, and when people are making New Year’s resolutions.
Make learning a shared responsibility for the group, rather than the coach serving as an “expert.”
Provide multiple coaches (co-facilitation) to ensure classes are never canceled.
Check in with participants regularly using multiple communication methods.
Offer periodic door prizes for attendance or incentives for completing food and activity trackers.
Include interactive games and activities, such as food demonstrations and role plays, to keep participants engaged in each session.
Encourage participants to train for a 5K or other community fitness event to focus on a long-term goal.
Offer one-on-one meetings with wellness coaches.
Use a follow-up session to learn a new fitness activity, such as Nordic walking or Zumba.

Retaining eligible participants with prediabetes is critical for your type 2 diabetes prevention lifestyle change program and to improve participant outcomes, check out Keys to Success – Increasing Participant Retention [PDF – 2 MB]