36 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, ME 04345
making connections ~ improving lives Worksite Wellness Newsletter of HCCA
Volume 2 Issue 14 Adult and Worksite Wellness |
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Board of Directors
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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
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Our Towns |
- Augusta
- Chelsea
- Farmingdale
- Fayette
- Gardiner
- Hallowell
- Litchfield
- Manchester
- Monmouth
- Mount Vernon
- Pittston
- Randolph
- Readfield
- Richmond
- Vienna
- Wayne
- West Gardiner
- Windsor
- Winthrop
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| Breathe Easy! |
Maine law LD 67 makes common areas in our state parks and state historic sites smoke-free. These areas include:
- Beaches
- Playgrounds
- Snack bars
- Picnic shelters
- Business facilities
- Any enclosed public place or public restroom
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Welcome to HCCA's June 2009 Worksite Wellness Newsletter
Please Note: The unusual length of this newsletter is due to Actual Tools
included for your use in helping to
Reduce Teen Substance Abuse
HCCA's monthly Worksite Wellness e-newsletter contains general wellness, community information & subjects specific to worksite wellness program development.
Visit the HCCA Worksite Wellness webpages at
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| Quick Links to Community Events |
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"Grow a row for the library" program begins Saturday, May 9 and will continue through the summer. Gardiner Public Library staff is asking area gardeners to plant an extra row of flowers, asparagus, carrots, lettuce, squash, herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers or whatever else they may grow in their garden. Then, when the produce is ready to be harvested, the gardeners will contribute whatever has grown in the extra row or rows to the library for the staff to sell. For more information call the library at 582-3312 .
Hallowell Area Board of Trade announces "Hallowellcome" Shop, dine, relax and play in historic Hallowell, experience the culture, commerce and creativity of the historical riverfront community.
Hallowellness - A Celebration of Mind Body and Spirit and Riverfront Celebration Saturday, June 27, 2009, 11 am to 5 pm, Riverfront Park, Hallowell. For more information visit www.hallowell.org
Gardiner - Wednesday 2 - 6 pm at the Commons
Augusta
Turn Pike Mall - Wednesdays and Saturdays 9am - 1pm
Mill Park - Tuesdays 2 - 6 pm
Hallowell - Water Street - Sundays 11 am - 3 pm
Winthrop - Tuesdays 2-6 pm and Saturdays 9am -1pm
The Friends of the Kennebec River Rail Trail is holding its annual Trail-a-thon to support the trail on June 27, for more information visit www.krrt.org
DAY IN CAPITOL PARK - Whatever Family Festival
FREE FAMILY FUN! Saturday, June 27th, Family Day in Capitol Park will feature some 80+ fun events and activities All activities at the "Day" are free of charge
Event Location: Augusta Civic Center Capital Park, Union & State Street, Augusta For more information visit www.augustamaine.com | |
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| June Health Observances |
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National Men's Health Month
The purpose of Men's Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and to encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. This month gives health care providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury.
Blueprint for Men's Health discusses the main health issues that men face today. Each chapter focuses on a single condition or group of related conditions effecting men. This 70+ page book discusses the factors that increase health risks, shows how to recognize symptoms, and gives practical, easy-to implement prevention strategies. Blueprint for Men's health is available as a free download www.menshealthnetwork.org/blueprint/
NATIONAL TRAILS DAYŽ 2009 American Hiking Society's signature trail awareness program, National Trails DayŽ (NTD), inspires the public and trail enthusiasts nationwide to seek out their favorite trails to discover, learn about, and celebrate trails while participating in educational exhibits, trail dedications, gear demonstrations, instructional workshops and trail work projects. NTD also provides an opportunity to thank volunteers, land managing agencies, and outdoor-minded businesses for their support in developing and maintaining trails. For more information visit www.americanhiking.org/ntd.aspx
Healthy Maine Walks
Healthy Maine Walks is sponsored by a coalition of trail and health agencies and organizations working together to build a healthier Maine. They have joined forces to promote healthier lifestyles by making it easier for Mainers to find and use walking routes in communities all across the state. The website provides a central location for towns and local groups to register walks. To find a trail near you visit www.healthymainewalks.com
Kennebec Land TrustDedicated to protecting the Kennebec River and Lakes Region through preservation of its natural features and working landscapes. For more information call 207-377-2848 during office hours Tuesdays - Thursdays 10 am - 3:00 pm or visit www.tklt.org/
Kennebec River Rail Trail
The 6.5 mile rail trail welcomes locals and visitors to walk, run, jog, bike, etc on the trail that parallels the rail bed along the Kennebec River from Augusta's Maine Waterfront Park through towns of Hallowell and Farmingdale and ends in Gardiner. For more information visit www.krrt.org
Pine Tree State Arboretum The six-mile, year round trail system is open to hiking, jogging, bird watching, non-motorized biking horseback riding, and cross-country skiing on groomed winter trails.
A number of trails have hard-packed surfaces suitable for wheelchair access. Enjoy a picnic, take some photos, look for birds (over 150 species have been spotted).
Pets are permitted on a leash. Trail maps are available at the Trail Information sign board, seven days/week or at the Viles Visitor Center Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm. To learn more visit
http://www.pinetreestatearboretum.org/
The Benefits...
Walking helps manage weight, control blood pressure, boost good cholesterol levels, decrease risk of osteoporosis, heart attack, stroke, diabetes and some cancers while decreasing stress, elevating mood and sense of well-being. Any amount of walking is good, but for the best health results, set a brisk pace and walk for 30 minutes at least 5 times a week. Be sure to check with your doctor on the level of exercise that's best for you.
As you head out for a day on the trails, be safe and remember to carry out what you carry in. To help ensure a safe day exploring our great outdoors:
ˇ wear appropriate shoes
ˇ layer protective and comfortable clothing
ˇ sunscreen
ˇ brimmed hat
ˇ insect repellent
ˇ stretch and warm up muscles at the start of walk
ˇ cool down at the end
ˇ water
ˇ For longer hikes it is also helpful to have map, first aid kit, extra socks and food
At the end of your walk or hike thoroughly check for ticks, remove completely and follow up with your healthcare provider to prevent Lyme Disease.
Other great resources to locate trails for hiking, biking and other outdoor activities:
Make Your Own Oral Rehydration Solution
1 liter clean water
8 teaspoons sugar (or molasses)
1 teaspoon salt (about 2300 mg)
1/2 cup orange juice (for potassium)
Mix and enjoy
Other June Health Observances
Stand for Children Day - 1st
Home Safety Month
National Great Outdoors Month July Health Observances
UV Safety Month
Everyone Deserves a Massage Week |
| Preparation for a Safe Prom, Graduation and Summer Season |
 The school year ends with prom and graduation. As a parent, you want these festivities to be special, but also safe. Encourage your teen to practice safe driving behaviors while going to and from prom, graduation and beyond.
Traffic crashes are the leading cause of teen fatalities, accounting for 75 percent of all unintentional teen deaths. Everyday nearly nine drivers ages 15 to 20 are killed in crashes and another 690 are injured. During prom and graduation season, teens may be at greater risk of crashes related to impaired driving.
Eighteen percent of young drivers killed are impaired by alcohol. Every year more than 1,000 teens loose their lives because they were alcohol impaired. Parents should enforce a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol because it's law - and also because it decreases teens' likelihood of crashing.
Parents should also strictly limit the number of passengers their teen carries. Teen passengers can be very distracting to teen drivers and may influence risk-taking behaviors, such as alcohol and drug use. Additional distractions to avoid include talking and texting on a cell phone while behind the wheel.
Work with your teen to establish driving rules and penalties for failure to obey them. Know the location, time and who is hosting all of the events your teen attends, and set time limits for travel after the party. For prom, communicate with the school to determine whether students can freely leave and return to the event, and if a chaperone will be on duty to spot alcohol.
Together you and your teen can understand driving risks to ensure a happy and memorable experience. For more information on teen driving, please visit www.teendriver.nsc.org. |
Tips for Preventing Underage Drinking
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 Monitoring
Your teens are always at risk for underage drinking and there are countless opportunities for them to test the limits. That's their job as teenagers. Our job as parents is to make the limits clear and monitor them - where they go, what they do, how they act and more. This kind of monitoring is not a violation of trust - rather it should be a regular and expected part of parenting throughout the pre-teen and teen years.
Many parents told us that they would do more to keep their teens from underage drinking - if only they knew what to do. Other parents felt that they had already done all that they could, and were surprised to learn that they could do more.
Your teen expects you to keep them from drinking. It is okay to monitor what they do. We've tried to make it easier - for helpful information and tips on what you can do to prevent underage drinking, see Find Out More, Do More - 5 TIPS to Prevent Underage Drinking. (a printable PDF Version)
http://www.maineparents.net/Monitoring/index.htm
Tip 1 Limit Access
GOOD
If you have alcohol in your home, keep track of it - know what and how much you have, and keep it where it is not accessible to teens.
BETTER
Thank store clerks when you see them card someone who is buying alcohol
BEST
Alert the police if you have information about where/how teens are getting alcohol in your community.
Tip 2 Network
GOOD
Get to know your teens' friends.
BETTER
Get to know the parents of your teens' friends. Know their rules so you don't have to just accept the argument "everybody else is allowed to..."
BEST
Let the parents of your teens friends know your rules, and where you stand on underage alcohol use - no furnishing, ever.
Tip 3 Reinforce and Enforce
GOOD
Reinforce the rules and consequences of underage drinking before your teen goes out.
BETTER
Frequently explain the reasons behind the rules so your teen understands the rules are a protective measure, not just a restriction on their freedom.
BEST
Enforce your rules consistently. Don't look the other way if your teen violates the rules - they need to know that you are serious about the rules and that you will hold them accountable for violating them.
Tip 4 Check In Often
GOOD
Before your teen goes to a party or out with friends, ask if adults will be present and if alcohol will be present.
BETTER
Ask your teen to call you from the party or gathering; if you have caller ID, you can ask them to use a landline, not a cell phone so that you can tell where they actually are when they call.
BEST
Trust but verify - check in with other parents about your teens' activities or drop by once in a while where your teen tells you they will be.
Tip 5 Be Up and Be Ready
GOOD
Wait up, or set the alarm for curfew time - talk with your teen about their night.
BETTER
When your teen arrives home, look for signs of use. Teens who believe their parents would catch them are less likely to drink.
BEST
Be prepared in advance for what you would do the FIRST time you discover that your teen has been drinking. Think ahead of time about how you want to react, who you would talk to, how you would enforce the consequences.
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Send Teens Clear Messages
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Modeling
There are certain
attitudes and behaviors of adults that may make alcohol more appealing
to a teen. These actions are ones that many parents do - and while it
is never our intent to encourage underage drinking, some of these
actions and behaviors may do just that. Here is a checklist of some
messages and actions that may contribute to your teens use.
Circle the appropriate box for each question:
1.Do
you make lighthearted or joking comments about other people's heavy
drinking? (i.e. "He's got a hollow leg." or "She holds her liquor
well!")
Often Sometimes Never
2. Do you tell funny or glorified stories about you or your friends' drinking antics when you were younger?
Often Sometimes Never
3. Do you ask your child to get you an alcoholic drink from the fridge?
Often Sometimes Never
4. Do you wear t-shirts, baseball caps, etc. that advertise or promote drinking and/or specific brands of alcohol?
Often Sometimes Never
5. When watching television with your child, do you laugh at scenes where alcohol is being abused?
Often Sometimes Never
6. Do you consider drinking to be a rite of passage for teenagers that can't be avoided?
Often Sometimes Never
7.
Do you host adult social gatherings at your home where alcoholic
beverages are the only drinks served and/or where drinking is the
central focus of the gathering?
Often Sometimes Never
8. Do you assume that alcohol is a necessary part of any celebration or social gathering?
Often Sometimes Never
9. Do you model using alcohol as a stress reduction tool? (i.e. comments like "I've had a long day, I need a drink!")
Often Sometimes Never
10. Do you offer alcohol to your teen as a "special treat" for celebrations, family gatherings, etc.?
Often Sometimes Never
11. Do you host parties at your house where alcohol is served or available to teens?
Often Sometimes Never
12. Does your child observe you drinking more than 2 or 3 drinks on any one occasion?
Often Sometimes Never
If
you answered "often" or "sometimes" two or more times, you might be
unintentionally sending mixed messages to your child, and could be
implying that it's OK for him or her to drink or experiment with
alcohol. By 'glorifying' alcohol use, you also send the message that it
is a rite of passage and expected. Teens, and even young children, are
quick to pick up on these messages even when that is not your
intention.
Remaining clear and consistent, and avoiding
messages that glorify or promote alcohol use, is a good way to provide
your children with the role modeling that they need to keep them from
underage use. "Grab me another beer" Modeling Brochure (PDF) www.maineparents.net/pdfs/modeling.pdf or http://www.maineparents.net/Modeling/index.htm
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| Wellness Team Corner |
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Going Tobacco Free
Maine's workplace smoking law (22 M.R.S.A 1580-A) state that worksites need to adopt a policy that states that no smoking is allowed in areas where employees work or places where the public is allowed. This includes lunchrooms, breakrooms, restrooms and vehicles. Many worksites in our area are going ever further they are going 100% tobacco free campuses. This means no designated smoking areas including personal vehicles on company premises and no use to smokeless tobacco products as well.
Tobacco use contributes to absenteeism and presenteeism (lost productivity) and is the greatest preventable cause of disease and death. Tobacco-free workplace policies improve health of all employees. Effective policy development and implementation increases the perception that tobacco use is unacceptable at the workplace and the restrictions are viewed favorably by nearly all employees. In a study published by Dee Edington, director of Michigan Health Management Research Center, less that 9/10th of one percent of employees will cite the change in policy as a reason for leaving. In another study conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management over 70% of employees rarely or never violate company policies.
The processˇ It is important to get employee representation from all areas involved ˇ Gather information-sample policies from other organizations, tobacco cessation
supports in the community and state, check on insurance coverage for cessation
programs and medications, review for legal issues
ˇ Draft policy and solicite employee feedback
ˇ Education employees of pending policy and tobacco free supports
ˇ Have employees sign contract regarding new policy and include policy education in
new employee orientation and annual review
ˇ Remove all tobacco related materials (vending machines and ashtrays)
ˇ Post tobacco free signage (available through your local HMP)
Sample Policy
(Date)
To: All Employees, Clients, Contractors & Visitors
Fr: Company CEO or Senior Human Resource Personnel
Tobacco-Free Workplace Policy
Purpose:
- (Name of Company) is dedicated to providing a healthful, comfortable and productive work environment for all of our employees, contractors, clients, customers, and visitors. This policy covers the use of any tobacco product (cigarettes, cigars, smokeless or "spit" tobacco, etc.) and applies to all employees, customers, Clients, Contractors and visitors.
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies secondhand smoke as a Class A carcinogen. This is a substance, like asbestos, known to cause cancer in humans.
Regulation:
Because required by law (22 M.R.S.A. § 1580-A and B) and because of the acknowledged health hazards arising from exposure to secondhand smoke and tobacco, it will be our policy to provide a Tobacco-free workplace, effective (Date)
- There will be no use of tobacco products within company owned or leased buildings, including: offices, hallways, restrooms, lunchrooms, elevators, meeting rooms, community areas and garage.
- There will be no tobacco use in any company-owned or leased vehicle or equipment.
- There will be no tobacco use on company-owned property.
- There will be no tobacco use in personal owned vehicles on company-owned property
- This policy applies to all employees, clients, contractors, clients, and visitors.
Clients and Visitors: Visitors will be notified by signs posted at facility entrances, in parking lots and throughout buildings.
Employees and Contractors: Prospective employees will be informed of the Tobacco-Free policy by the Human Resources department and/or their prospective manager at time of hire. Contractors will be informed when they formally contracted and annually via mailing.
Education:
- The Tobacco Free policy is available at all times to employees via the intranet and is reviewed yearly during the mandatory in-service day (MID).
- Cessation support will be available to all members of the (company name) staff as listed below: Maine Tobacco Helpline, 1-800-207-1230
Maine General Tobacco Cessation Support Group 207-621-3741
Your Primary Care Physician
- For employees carrying (Company Name) insurance benefits, 100% of the cost of tobacco cessation programs and nicotine replacement medications are covered. The Maine Tobacco Helpline provides free Nicotine Replacement Therapy for those without insurance coverage.
Compliance:
- Policy compliance is the responsibility of all (company name) employees and contractors.
- Employees and contractors failing to comply with policy will be subject to the disciplinary process.
- An employee or contractor using tobacco products may be reminded of and asked to adhere to the policy by any staff member or contractor observing the non-compliant behavior.
- Any employee or contractor observing non-complaint behavior with the policy should feel free to report it to a supervisor or to Administration
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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 community's 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
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