Employee Wellness Program Proposal

By: Kyle Redo & Dr. Andy Koenigs

Emporia High School: Randy Wells and Curtis Simons Emporia Middle School: Matt Baumwart Food Services: Denise KaterLogan Avenue: Ashley Brooks Maynard Early Childhood Center: Keva ScheibRiverside Elementary: Tracy Keough Timmerman Elementary: Casey PhillipsTransportation: Tracy PoseyCustodial / Maintenance: Johnny Drake Turning Point Academy: Ashley ConradeVillage Elementary: Hillary Carlson Walnut Elementary: Manuel Estrada and Allison HarderWilliam Allen White Elementary: Brandi Maples FHSEC: Monica Duncan MHEC: Karen Flood, Paul Beadles & Vicki Schweinler

Wellness Committee 2014-2015

● Met Once a Month● Developed an All-Staff Needs Survey● Researched Other Wellness Programs● Researched Vital Components of Wellness Plans● Learned about Healthy Nutritional Options each month● Shared ideas from each building● Provided Wellness Tips in Clipboard● Made EHS Fitness Center more usable to staff● Heard Presentations Several Wellness Companies● Developed the Emporia Schools Wellness Plan

Wellness Committee Activities

- Scheduled to begin August 2015- Program is COMPLETELY voluntary- Open to all USD 253 employees

General Information

● Wellness is a state of physical, mental, and emotional fitness.

● Some might call it Well-being. ● Employee wellness today often includes

physical well-being, mental well-being, and financial well-being.

What is workplace wellness?

EMS Staff Doing WellnessActivities

Why are companies offering wellness programs now?● Wellness is a “must have” rather than a “nice to have”.● Crushing workers compensation and health care premiums, ● Proactive stance when it comes to the health of their employees.

Employee wellness programs provide a number of immediate benefits. ● Sends an important message to employees: We value your health and well-

being. ● This kind of personal message encourages productivity and helps retain top

talent.● Functions as a unique and effective public relations tool. ● Can translate into a powerful competitive advantage.

Why Wellness?

- Lower health care cost- Reduced absenteeism- Achieved higher employee productivity- Reduced injuries- Improved employee morale and loyalty- Reduced worker’s compensation and

disability-related costs

Wellness Benefits to the Company

● A 2011 study published by the American Journal of Health Promotion demonstrated that health care costs rose at a 15 percent slower rate among wellness program participants when employers consistently offered a wellness program to their employees.

● A review of 72 studies published in the American Journal of Health Promotion showed an average corporate wellness return on investment (ROI) of $3.48 per $1 when considering health care costs alone, $5.82 when examining absenteeism and $4.30 when both outcomes are considered.

Research on Wellness Programs

Employee Wellness Program Components

THE ME

2015-16

1. Biometric Screenings2. Health Risk Assessment (HRA)3. All District Health Fair - Sat. Sept. 19th4. Challenges and Events5. Free Well-Being Classes for Employees

a. Stress Management Classesb. Healthy Cooking/Nutrition Classesc. Financial Fitness

Emporia Wellness Components

6. Incentives7. Local Business Discounts8. Community Partnerships9. Increased Use of School Facilities10. Alternatives and Options11. Regular Communication and Updates

via a Facebook Page

Components (Cont.)

Emporia Public Schools Transportation Department

● Incentive programs are an important part of any wellness program.○ It raises awareness ○ It inspires action○ It Increases employee engagement○ Examples - Discount on health insurance

premium, extra vacation or personal day, t-shirts, prizes, rewards, wrist bands, etc.

Incentives are Critical

Biometric Screenings are a critical component for any wellness program. ● Measure individual improvement● Measure organizational improvement● Helps locate areas to focus on district-wide● Overall its an easy, trackable piece of data that administration can use

Components that make up Biometric screening are the following:● Height● Weight● Blood Sugar● Body Fat (BMI)● Cholesterol

Biometric Screenings

● The HRA a questionnaire of background, family history, personal history, medical info,and personal goals that determine a person’s biological vs healthy age.

● This information is vital to help employees focus on certain factors that might prolong their lives.

Health Risk Assessment (HRA)

Saturday, September 19th from 10am to 2pm at EHSPossible Booths, Vendors, and Community Resources:● Local health clubs● Financial fitness Counseling● Stress management and Mental Health● Lyon County Health Department● Medical clinics and Newman Regional Hospital● Flu shots may be offered● Healthy cooking demonstrations ● Other community resources ● Biometrics screening will take place as well as health risk assessment.

Employee Health Fair

Encourage more usage of what we already have such as:● EHS Fitness Room● Walking Path between EHS & EMS● Gyms● Tracks● Tennis Courts● Jones Activity Center

Utilize School District Resources

Corporate Discounts or a standard percentage discount would be sought out with area businesses for all employees participating the district wellness program. The silicone wrist band would identify that employee as a wellness plan participant.● Gym/Health Club Discounts● Emporia Rec● Golf Courses● Putt Putt● Dynamic Discs● Bowling Alley● Nature’s Paradise● Other Local Business

Discounts at Local Businesses

Build partnerships and discounts for employees at local health clubs and gyms. ● Genesis ● Rec Center● Emporia Fitness● 24/7● Heart Center Studio Yoga

Gym/Health Club Partnerships

● Dan’s Hands, Celtic Massage & Essential Kneads● GNC & Nature’s Paradise● Brown’s Shoe Fit● Hibbett Sports & High Gear● Dynamic Discs ● Mike’s Sporting Goods● Local Golf Courses● Local Bike Shops

Other Local Business Considerations

● EMPAC is a resource that is already available to all employees at no cost.

● This will be promoted as a district-provided resource.

● Suggestions or tips on well being,mental health issues or stress could be made through the Facebook page.

● This may include stress management classes, financial counseling, marital counseling, substance abuse counseling, and personal counseling.

Emotional Well Being

Stress Management● This course would focus on helping individuals with developing healthy

stress management techniques

Financial Wellbeing● This course would focus on helping individuals with developing a budget and

alleviating financial hardships

Smoking Cessation● This class would provide steps, counseling, and support on how to stop

smoking to improve your health within the wellness program.

Offer Classes on Wellbeing

Group Fitness Classes● Zumba, yoga, aerobics, or boot camps could be taught by local gyms or school

employees who had an interest in teaching a classHealthy Cooking/Nutrition ● This class would educate participants on eating healthy, making wise food choices,

recipes for healthy foods, etc.

Classes Continued

● All activities, points and events are approved through the wellness committee. Points may be given depending on intensity and duration of activity. Points may be utilized toward an incentive program.

● District employees can earn points through approved activities either organized through the buildings, district or community. Activities do not need to be local to count, they would need to be sent to the wellness committee to approve and promote to district employees.

● Buildings may organize group fitness activities such as Zumba, lunch walking bunch, weight training, aerobics, etc. and promote throughout the district. There will be a dedicated communication site/calendar on which all activities will be listed.

Organized Approved Activities

● Options for staff that can’t participate in some of the events will be developed

● Any wellness plan will have alternative activities or opportunities for staff unable to participate in an activity if this activity is required for an employee incentive.

Options/Alternatives

Creation of a wellness facebook group for participating employees.

This will be our main source of regular communication with wellness program participants. It will be a closed group that only participants in program will be able to see. The page will contain the following:● General information about wellness program● Upcoming district wellness events on calendar● Healthy recipes● Employee success stories ● Local coupons ● Fitness quotes● Workout tips

Regular Wellness Communication

● The cookies, chocolate, and donuts would NOT be banned but healthier options would made available to staff to make healthier choices

● Staff lounges and vending machines available at schools would offer healthier options such as fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, protein bars, Healthy crackers, yogurt, granola bars, oatmeal, bottled water, protein shakes, etc.

● During PLC or other district meetings where snacks or food are available, healthier options will be encouraged to give the employee choices

Healthier Options for Staff

Food service now offers chef salads for staff members and will deliver to each school. Possibly look at creating a healthy lunch menu from food service with two or three standard items to choose from for staff.

Example: Chef Salad or Turkey Wrap

We would like to see healthy lunch options offered to staff daily

Healthier Options Continue..

Onsite Medical ClinicAn On-Site Medical Clinic could be located in our district at one of the schools so employees and their families could access for health care. The clinic would be staffed by a RN, Nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant who could prescribe medications . Most onsite clinics are at no cost to employees because the district picks up the cost.

Personal wellness coach (online/phone/in person)A personal wellness coach, much like a personal trainer or instructional coach, is a person who helps support an individual’s wellness goals. Wellness coaches can be onsite coaches where staff could make appointments and check in on their progress toward meeting their goals. The coach is a support person but also helps keep employees accountable to their goals. Some wellness coaches are available offsite and communication is via phone, online, or through email.

Wellness Program - Long Term Plan

● Starts in 2015-16● Completely voluntary● Goal is to increase employee engagement,

morale and overall health and wellness of our employees

● It’s all about providing healthier options and resources, not about banning anything.

● Uses the resources we already have in the district and community

Summary

Questions?