Exclusion Criteria: Exclusion criteria were selected to enhance safety and ability to complete the study protocol. They include: (1) history of hypoglycemic coma/seizure within the last 12 months, (2) hypoglycemia requiring 3rd party assistance within the last 3 months, (3) history consistent with type 1 diabetes, (4) unwillingness to do capillary blood testing using the FreeStyle monitor, (5) unwillingness or inability to participate in scheduled group classes or individual counseling sessions, (7) subjects currently on renal dialysis, (8) any factors likely to preclude adherence to the study protocol including dementia, alcohol or substance abuse, plan to move within the next 8 months, lack of support from the subject's primary health care provider (i.e. PCP is aware of significant risks such as extreme variation in blood glucoses and/or comorbidities that would make participation in the study unsafe), failure to obtain informed consent from the participant, current participation in another clinical trial, and (9) subjects who are not available by telephone during the hours of 8am to 6pm.