Worksite Wellness:

Healthy Habits at WIC

CWA and State WIC have launched a new initiative Worksite Wellness: Healthy Habits at WIC. With the 2009-2011 Nutrition Services Plan consisting of predetermined, sustainable goals with objectives that support Local Agencies to focus on staff wellness, the launch of the statewide initiative couldn’t have come at a better time. The vision of Healthy Habits at WIC is to create and sustain a healthy and thriving WIC community that focuses on a culture of mutual support and physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Our staff members are the WIC Program, and engaging them through a “People-First” way of working is critical. To support our employees and their families embrace a healthier lifestyle, a multi-layered comprehensive wellness program is a necessity. Change is difficult and can best happen when employees’ are engaged in the process, and their health priorities are reflected in the Worksite Wellness Program.

Wellness – The Time is Now! Worksite Wellness Programs have shown to be effective in improving employee health and wellbeing, increasing productivity, decreasing absenteeism, improving morale and containing health care costs for organizations. Staff wellness efforts form the core of operations on The Healthy Habits for Life (HH4L) campaign, a collaborative venture with Sesame workshop.

A strong Local Agency-led Advisory committee has been working diligently on this exciting venture. Healthy Habits at WIC will bring tools and information to support Local Agencies in implementing their employee wellness programs. CWA would like the wellness initiative to be as collaborative as possible, so please contact the Advisory committee members to share your best practices or learn from their expertise.

Downloads: The following are presentations made at the 2008 CWA Fall Management Conference. While you are welcome to access the materials on the CWA website, we request you to not post the Powerpoint presentations on your or any other websites.

1. Worksite Wellness Overview
2. Worksite Wellness Planning Guide
3. Worksite Wellness Committee Members
4. Pre-Conference Presentations
   • Worksite Wellness Committee Report – Edie Wiltsee and Angela Damon
   • Dr. Nick Yphantides– Living It! A Call to Walk the Talk
   • Dr. Joseph Leutzinger – Return on Investment: How to Determine an ROI and How to Get There
   • Dr. JoAnn Eickhoff-Shemek – Worksite Health/Fitness Programs: Developing Effective Risk Management Strategies
   • Suellen Haggerty – Overcoming Barriers in Worksite Wellness
   • Sandy Fagin – Working Well at WIC. Wellness Activities at CA State WIC Division
   • Sharen Anthony – Health is Wealth – PHFE WIC
   • Mary Schrank – Worksite Wellness: Building a Healthier Community at Shasta County Public Health
   • Chris Bilbrey – Taking Steps Toward Change – Madera County
5. Pre-conference Binder contents
6. Wellness Resource list
7. WIC Employee Needs Assessment Survey
8. WIC Agency Survey
9. Wellness Resources
   • Par-Q and You
   • Healthy Eating in the Workplace
   • Creative Financing & Fun Fundraising
   • Are You a Stress Eater?