36 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, ME 04345
making connections ~ improving lives Worksite Wellness Newsletter of HCCA
Volume 2 Issue 1 Adult and Worksite Wellness |
|
|
Board of Directors
|
Mary Frances Bartlett
Rebecca West Dick, Chair
Cindy T. Flye
Rob Gordon
Chuck Hays, Treasurer
Bill McKenna
William McPeck, Vice Chair
Kathi Wall
Jim Wood, Secretary
|
|
Our Towns |
- Augusta
- Chelsea
- Farmingdale
- Fayette
- Gardiner
- Hallowell
- Litchfield
- Manchester
- Monmouth
- Mount Vernon
- Pittston
- Randolph
- Readfield
- Richmond
- Vienna
- Wayne
- West Gardiner
- Windsor
- Winthrop
| |
|
|
Welcome to HCCA's Worksite Wellness Newsletter
|
| Save the Date |
Worksite Wellness Meetings
You are invited to attend these free meetings.
February 4, 2009 8:30 -10:00 am
KANNON Communications Training Room
36 Brunswick Ave, Gardiner, Maine
The Healthy Maine Partnership Worksite Wellness Software Demonstration
Amy Wagner, Adult and Worksite Wellness Program Manager will demonstrate the new software available to worksites for worksite wellness programming. This software includes health risk assessments, employee health interest surveys, resources and printable workplans. Participates need register by calling 588-5019 or email awagner@mcd.org by January 26, 2009. As part of the registration process a packet will be mailed including an "inventory" questionnaire that should be completed before the meeting.
April 1, 2009
Health Risk Assessments and Biometrics
Panelists will represent area organizations that offer health risk assessments and biometric screenings. We will learn what they are, how they work and why they are important part of our worksite wellness programs.
June 3, 2009
Coaching 101
Panelists will represent a variety of coaching modalities-health, life and corporate. Coaching is a great way to foster change, build confidence and resiliency.
For more information call or to RSVP Amy at 588-5019 | |
|
|
| January Health Observances |
|
 Cervical Health Awareness Month
Approximately 10,000 American women learn that they have cervical cancer annually, and nearly 4,000 will die from an advanced form of the disease. Every January the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) focuses on educating women about the importance of the Pap test as a screening tool for cervical cancer/human papillomavirus (HPV) and about vaccines that can further reduce the burden of this disease.
To learn more about the National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC), cervical cancer, the human papillomavirus, the vaccines and how to design your company's health observance visit www.nccc-online.org/awareness.html
For women in Maine there is the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program, this program pays for mammograms, breast exam, Pap tests, pelvic exams and limited diagnostic or follow up services. To receive services one needs to be a Maine woman, age 40 to 64, have no health insurance, or health insurance that does not include mammograms or Pap tests or have a high deductible and meet include guidelines. For more information call 1-800-350-5180
Healthy Weight Week
January 18-24, 2009
Healthy Weight Week is a time to celebrate healthy living habits that last a lifetime and prevent eating and weight problems. Traditionally many Americans begin a diet the first week in January and "blow" it by the end of the second week. Healthy Weight Week is the third week, is a time to stop dieting for good and help people normalize their lives. Healthy Weight Week promotes healthy nondiet lifestyles for children and adults. It helps them move ahead to healthy habits thay can live with long term-sound, reasonable habits that allow them to live well and get on with their lives.
Eat well
Live actively and
Feel good about themselves and others.
 Go Red for Women in Maine
A Go Red event is set for Thursday January 29, 2009 at the Maine's Hall of Flags Augusta Capital Building from 8:30 am to 11:30 am.
Get your "Wisdom Gained from the Heart" DVD. This 11 minute DVD is hosted by Kim Block, WGME news anchor and spokesperson for American Heart Association's "Go Red." It touchingly highlights Maine women sharing their personal stories about surviving and living with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The DVD also features discussions by experts about CVD including signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke and major risk factors for CVD including diabetes and smoking. This DVD is a great way to spread the message of women's heart health in your community. If you need a copy for your worksite wellness program, call HCCA at 588-5019.
For Go Red materials and women's heart health educational resources call Mary at: 207-622-7566, ext. 204.
Additional resources:
Maine CDC's Cardiovascular Health Program 622-7566
So, on February 6th make it a Red Day and get everyone involved to successfully spread the message of women's heart health!
February Health Observances and Reminders
Heart Health Month
National Cancer Prevention Month
National Children's Dental Health Month
Wise Health Consumer Month
National Wear Red Day - 6
National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week - 8-14
Random Acts of Kindness Week - 9-15
|
| Update from Worksite Wellness Meeting |
Support Your Employees New Year's Resolutions
On December 3, 2008 Healthy Communities of the Capital Area held its first worksite wellness meeting. Many thanks go out to Crystal Berry of Concentra, Trish Hanley-Goodwin of the Kennebec Valley YMCA and Jim Fortunato of MaineGeneral Prevention Center for participating in the panel discussing ways to support employees New Year's resolutions through programming, creating supportive environments and policies.
Substance Abuse: Crystal Berry of Concentra reported to the participants the statistics of substance abuse in the workplace, the laws around screening for substances, where to go for help in developing your drug free workplace policy and how Concentra can help your organization. To learn more about Concentra call Crystal at 626-5005
Physical Activity: Trish Hanley-Goodwin of Kennebec Valley YMCA spoke about the importance of physical activity and the programs the Y offers to worksites and individuals. Trish is available to visit your worksite for demonstrations, classes and lunch and learns. The Y's software can track employee usage reducing the record keeping burden for employees and employers. Payment plans and scholarships are available. To learn more about how the Y can help your worksite and your employees call Trish at 626-3488 extension 124
Tobacco Cessation: Jim Fortunato of MaineGeneral Prevention Center talked about some of the services available through the prevention center including free tobacco cessation support groups that meets from 5:00 to 6:00 pm in Augusta on Wednesdays and on Mondays in Waterville. Jim is available for presentations and lunch and learns. To learn more call Jim at 621-3741 or 861-5275.
Additional Resources:
Tobacco cessation: Maine Tobacco Helpline 1-800-207-1230.
Tobacco Free Policies: Healthy Communities of the Capital Area 588-5019
Physical activity: Move More www.movemore.com
Worksite Wellness Program Development: Healthy Communities of the Capital Area
588-5019
|
| Time to Start Planning... |
| Move and Improve 2009
The 2009 program is right around the corner. Check out the website to learn about the program at www.moveandimprove.org
The Move and Improve program of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems is a community based program designed to encourage and empower individuals to engage in a healthier
lifestyle through physical activity.
Mark your calendar for the following dates:
Program Dates.........................................March 1 - May 23, 2009 (12-weeks)
Participant Registration..........................February - March 27, 2009
Site Registration.......................................December - March 23, 2009
Online Goal Entry......................................April 27 - June 8, 2009
Random Prize Drawings.........................Wednesday, June 10, 2009
March into May is a FREE, 10 week, community based motivational program, designed to help participants "GET MORE OUT OF LIFE" by improving their health through increased physical activity.
March into May is a great way for people to get active, be healthy, and have fun doing it!
The program has been successfully providing the tools and resources people need
to set and achieve their physical activity goals since 1998.
|
| Indoor Walking Opportunities |
 The following locations are open to the public for walking through the winter:
- Gardiner Area High School Hallways 2:30-4:30 pm School Days
- Gardiner Middle School Gym 6:00-7:00 pm School Days
- Riverview Community School 6:00-7:00 pm School Days
- Pittson School Gym 6:00-7:00 pm School Days
- T.C. Hamlin School Gym 6:00-7:00 pm School Days
- Helen Thompson Gym 6:30-7:30 am School Days
- Laura E. Richards Gym 6:30-7:30 am School Days
- Marcia Buker School Hallways 3:00-5:00 pm Monday through Thursdays when school is in session
- Longfellow's Greenhouse during hours of operations
All walking areas will be available November 1, 2008 through April 1, 2009
| |
|
Thank you for your commitment to the health and wellbeing of our community. Please contact us if we can be of assistance in supporting your southern Kennebec communities' quality of life.
Sincerely,
Joanne Joy, Director
&
Amy Wagner, Adult and Worksite Wellness Initiatives Program Manager
Nationally Certified Worksite Wellness Program Consultant
Healthy Communities of the Capital Area
|
|
|
|
|
