Everett Public SchoolsCreating a Culture of Wellness

Everett Public Schools Background

Employee Wellness Program Overview

• Everett, WA is located 25 miles north of Seattle. It is home to Boeing.

• Everett Public Schools– 2,100 Employees– 18,000 Students– 26 Schools, 2 Admin Buildings, 1 Maintenance

• Everett School Employee Benefit Trust (ESEBT) — Everett School Employee Benefit Trust (ESEBT)

oversees the benefits of ESD employees. — One of 2 districts in the state of Washington

that is SELF INSURED. — Wellness Program is entirely funded through

the Trust (completely separate budget from the district).

– ESEBT-adopted Employee Wellness Program in 2006• 2006 conducted a health risk assessment with

300 participants

• 2008 hired a full time wellness program director– Conducted an employee interest survey– Developed a 5 year strategic plan

Roadmap for success: SEW Guidebook, HERO, WELCOA, North Carolina: Health Smart Tool Kit

"Our mission is to create a culture of wellness by promoting opportunities that enhance the overall health and quality of life for all district staff."

SEW Steps…A recipe for success

1. Obtain administrative support ESEBT Superintendent Principals

2. Identify resources

Internal Resources IT Food Services Human Resources Athletics

External Resources Local Gyms YMC Local Park and Rec’s Department Weight Watchers Local Hospitals/Clinics American Heart Association and American Cancer

Society

3. Identify a leader Wellness Coordinator hired 2008

4. Organize a committee Wellness Teams at every site Wellness Council of 10

5. Gather and Analyze Data Employee Interest Survey End of Year Survey Pre and Post Seasonal Campaign Survey Health Risk Assessment Participation Rates Medical and Pharmacy Claims-D2 Hawkeye

Dr. Gary Cohn, Superintendent

Educational Services Center, Wellness Team

HRA Results

SEW Steps…A recipe for success6. Develop a Plan

5 Year Strategic Plan SMART Goals

Create a culture of Wellness Increase physical activity Improve nutrition Lose weight Decrease absenteeism Lower incidence of hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypertension

7. Implement the Plan Create a Culture of Wellness

Increase Health Awareness Newsletters, HR Payroll, District News, Monthly Tips District Webpage: Wellness Site

Increase Physical Activity The Wellness Challenge® Seasonal Campaigns: Walktober, Trails Challenge Gym Discounts Fitness Classes at worksites-YMCA

• Improve Nutrition Five-A-Day: The Wellness Challenge® Healthy Cooking Classes 8 Weeks to Wellness 31 Day EAT SMART Nutrition Campaign Encourage healthy snacks at staff meetings Veggie Clubs

• Lose Weight Weight Watchers at Work Mind Body Weight Management

• Decrease Absenteeism Annual FREE seasonal Flu Vaccine clinics and health fairs

• Decrease incidence of hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes Health Awareness Campaigns following National Health Observances i.e. Healthy Heart Tick-Tack Toe

EPS Trails Challenge600 participants walked 40,197 miles and 80 million steps

“I think this challenge was a great idea, it created a lot of camaraderie and a sense of

team spirit at our school”

“The Walktober campaign helped increase friendships with my colleagues and team

members”.

SEW Steps…A recipe for success8. Evaluate and adapt the program

– Pre and Post Campaign Surveys– Pre and Post Wellness Challenge Surveys– Program Surveys– End of Year Wellness Program Survey– Annual Health Risk Assessment– Participation Rates

• District Wide• By School

9. Sustain the program– Broadcast Successes

• Leadership Team Presentations• School Board Presentations• Awards• Press• Wellness Champions• Wellness Team Champions

– Cultivate, Promote, Encourage grassroots wellness effort at sites• Veggie Clubs• Wellness Wednesdays• Walking Clubs• Staff Wellness Day Forest View Elementary, Wellness Team Members

GOAL:Establish a Supportive Environment to Cultivate a Culture of Wellness

One of the main goals of the EPS Wellness Program is to "create a culture" of Wellness.

Do you feel that after the first year there has been a cultural shift toward wellness?

Yes 315 68%

No 15 3%

Maybe 113 25%

Other, comments 17 4%

Total 460 100%

“Many people in my workplace participated in worksite classes, creating a supportive culture for

changing habits”.

Mill Creek Elementary Weight Watchers at Work Group

Has your health improved as a result of having the EPS Wellness Program in place? If so, how? Please list ALL that apply below.

2011-2012

% surveyed

2010-2011

% surveyed

2009-2010

% surveyed

Weight loss 5-25 lbs 49% 45%

Weight loss 25-50 lbs 9% 6%

Weight loss of more than 50 lbs 2.% 1%

Weight Loss 2011-2012 61.%

Weight Loss 2010-2011 52%

Weight Loss 2009-2010 45%

Lower blood pressure 23% 13% 16%

Lower cholesterol 18% 11% 11%

Healthier eating habits 73% 59% 52%

More physically active 69% 59% 75%

Less stress 40% 26% 43%

Improved sleep 29% 21% 28%

Need less medicine for chronic disease/condition 5% 3%

4.00%

Received a FREE flu shot and did not get the flu this year 48% 38% 32%Fewer sick days this year 26% 20% 11%Improved Fasting Blood Sugar (new question) 6%

Silver Lake Elementary, Hoop Dancing Class

Cascade High School, Wellness Team and “BIG CLIMB” team

One of the main goals of the EPS Wellness Program is to "create a culture" of Wellness. Please read the statements below and then rate all that apply. 2011

2012Agree

somewhatStrongly

agree2010 2011

Agree somewhat

Strongly agree

2009 2010

Agree somewhat

Strongly agree

I notice that my colleagues and I are more conscientious about our health since the inception of the wellness program.

49% 48% 17% 16% 17% 15%Wellness Program activities have helped to create a greater sense of camaraderie at my workplace. 50% 40% 19% 11% 17% 13%There is more general conversation and discussion about health and wellness topics.

40% 52% 17% 14% 16% 14%We have become more conscientious about having healthier food options for staff meetings and gatherings.

39% 46% 15% 14% 16% 12%Having a district wellness program in place makes me feel that my health and well being are an important priority for district administrators and leadership.

25% 70% 10% 23% 11% 22%Seeing district administrators and the leadership team involved in wellness activities inspires and motivates me to participate too. 43% 38% 15% 11% 14% 10%

Sustain the Program…Highlight Successes

Kelly ShepherdSequoia HS PrincipalEnrolled in the Wellness ChallengeJanuary1st 2011…as a result

• Logs her healthy behaviors regularly• Goes to the gym every morning at 4:30 am• Weight Loss (over 65 pounds to date)• Started a “Veggie Club” at her school• Training for her first ½ marathon, ran her first 5K

last spring• Says she’s a better principal because she FEELS

better!

Wellness Team Champions

• Turkey Trot• Women with Weights• Weight Watchers at Work• Healthy Pot Luck Building Social

Wellness Champions

Longfellow Wellness TeamVeggie Snack Club Founders

Sustain the Program…..Inspire

Darcie CooperCascade High School

Journey began with….• Eight Weeks to Wellness in January 2009

• To date, she has lost over 125 lb weight loss

• Lower cholesterol, blood pressure and fasting blood sugar.

• Completed the STP Bike Race this summer and the Danskin Triathlon.

• Currently training for her first ½ marathon.

• Awarded a Lifestyle Change Award by the American Heart Association

"I can definitely say the Wellness Program not only changed my life but has truly saved it!

I know it is all the work I have put in, but having the path to follow and the people who have guided and

supported me have made changing my life possible"!

Darcie Cooper, Lifestyle Change Award the American Heart Association

Changing Culture

“I have worked for this district for over 25 years and this year when the wellness program offered free flu shots I felt like the district really cared about my well-

being”

Contact Information

Gail Buquicchio, NDEmployee Wellness Program Director

Everett Public Schoolswellness@everettsd.org

(425) 385-4273http://www.everett.k12.wa.us/wellness