The Fulton County Commissioners were recently notified that they have been chosen as the recipients of the “Wellness Warrior Award” for their outstanding wellness initiatives in 2016 from County Employee Benefits Consortium of Ohio (CEBCO). They received the award at CEBCO’s Annual Meeting on April 21st, 2017. Fulton County has been a member of CEBCO since, 2012.
“We are thrilled to be recognized for this honor,” states Laura Howell, Fulton County Organizational Development Director and Chair of the Wellness Committee. “This award is a testament of the Board of Commissioners and Elected Officials commitment and support of the Fulton County Wellness Program. They continue to see the benefit and value of health and wellness in the workplace and its relationship with controlling the health and benefits costs of county government. This perfectly aligns with our mission to provide all members with the tools and support to become healthy and productive individuals in work and life.”
CEBCO recognized Fulton County for several 2016 accomplishment’s, one of which includes being recognized by Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and Healthy Ohio Business Council (HOBC) for their walking program. As a result, they were invited to participate in ODH “Pump Up Your Workforce” Webinar and presented at the HOBC NW Region meeting in Maumee. They also conducted three organized walks for employees and spouses, as well as introduced a virtual walk for employees who were unable to make the specific date and time of the scheduled walk.
Other notable activities included a “Fuel Your Day” initiative in which healthy snacks such as, veggie trays, fruit and water, were provided to county departments throughout the year as a part of the committee’s healthy workplace snacking initiative. They offered five employee lunch and learns, a Waist Watchers program and chair massages. A total of 111 employees and spouses participated in a biometric health screening and a total of 80 participants received the annual wellness initiative.
Additionally, through support of county leadership and at the recommendation of the Wellness Committee, there were several standing desks purchased for employees throughout the county.
The wellness program is funded through an annual grant awarded through CEBCO, which amounted to $10,096.00 in 2016. The planning and programming is orchestrated by a Wellness Committee comprised of Howell, Jennifer Connors (Deputy Auditor), Rachel Kinsman (Health Department), Toni Schindler (Board of Commissioners), Sharon Morr (Fulton County Health Center) and formerly Melissa Welker (OSU Extension).
“Our wellness committee is outstanding,” Howell notes, “they are dedicated and forward thinking in the best interest of employee health and wellness.” Up until 2017, the wellness program was only available to CEBCO enrolled employees and spouses. Due to the success and interest in the program and as evidenced by a survey issued late in 2016, the Board of Commissioners resolved to include and provide additional funding for all Fulton County employees in the wellness program for 2017.
“Live Well*Be Well*Work Well” is the committees new tagline, and they look forward to continued success in health and wellness in 2017.
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