Background of new cases of Diabetes Mellitus Type II  in Banyumas Regency in 2014 Insulin Dependency  Diabetes Mellitus as many as 306 cases and Non Dependency Insulin  as many as 1,878 cases. Diabetes mellitus is also a major health problem in the work area of ​​the Karanglewas Health Center, Banyumas Regency. Previous research found that the support of community leaders in rural areas was lower in preventing DM. So that in the development of DM prevention and management programs, definite data is needed about the readiness of community leaders. This is in accordance with the steps for developing an international DM management and prevention program that requires an assessment of the readiness of community leaders to develop a DM management and prevention program. This study aims to identify the potential of existing resources in the community and to determine the community's readiness related to their active participation in DM prevention. Methods: This research is a qualitative research with in-depth data collection and observation of community leaders, both formal and informal community leaders who are in the working area of ​​Karanglewas Health Center. Data analysis is done by content analysis. The Ethical Permit is approved by the General Sudirman University Medical ethics committee. Research results: it is known that not all community leaders are ready both cognitively and psychomotorically in supporting the development of community-based Diabetes Mellitus prevention programs in rural areas. Conclusion: It is necessary to increase the role of community leaders both in their functions as extension workers, movers, motivators, catalysts, and as role models in community-based DM disease management programs.

Keywords : Diabetes Mellitus, Community Leader, Readiness