36 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, ME 04345
making connections ~ improving lives Worksite Wellness Newsletter of HCCA
Volume 3 Issue Adult and Worksite Wellness |
|
|
Board of Directors
| Mary Frances Bartlett
Rebecca West Dick
Dick Dyer Cindy T. Flye
Rob Gordon
Chuck Hays, Treasurer
Kala Ladenheim Bill McKenna
William McPeck, Vice Chair
Kathi Wall
Jim Wood, Chair
Mark Yerrick, 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 HCCA's
August 2010
Worksite Wellness Newsletter
HCCA's monthly Worksite Wellness e-newsletter contains general wellness, community information & subjects specific to worksite wellness program development. |
| Breathe Easy! |
Smokefree Areas for Worksites and Public Spaces
Free signage available call Amy at 588-5019.
We have metal signs, corrugated plastic, window clings and laminated signs.
Smoking is prohibited in outdoor eating areas, outdoor eating areas are defined as a patio, deck or other property that is partially enclosed or open to the sky that is permitted for outdoor eating or drinking under the control of the eating establishment, as long as food or drink is served by the establishment to the public for consumption on the premises
Establishments with outdoor eating areas shall post signs notifying patrons of the prohibition and requesting all persons within the outdoor eating area comply with the law.
Maine law makes common areas in our state parks and state historic sites smoke-free. These areas include:
* Beaches
* Playgrounds
* Snack Bars
* Picnic Shelters
* Business Facilities
* Restrooms
* Public Spaces
The Workplace Smoking Act of 1985 and Accompanying Rules prohibits smoking:
*in all company vehicles (owned or leased)
*in all enclosed areas where work is performed and the
employer is responsible for
*in common areas, private offices
*in employee owned vehicles used in the course of work
*in 20 feet of entryways, vents, doorways or any location that
allows smoke to circulate back into the building
*violations are subject to fines up to $ 1,500.
*the law requires worksites to have a written policy that
meets or exceeds the law, post it and make copies
available to employees.
*DHHS licensed residential facilities when an employee is
present to work
If you do not feel your issue has not been adequately addressed, call John Archard at the Office of the Maine Attorney General, 592-8149
For more information, questions or assistance in developing your policy call Amy at 588-5019 |
|  |
|
|
|
| August Health Observances |
Medic Alert Awareness Month
Medic Alert Awareness Month promotes persons with any medical problem or condition that cannot be easily seen or recognized to wear a medical identification tag as a bracelet, necklace or on clothing. The tag serves as a tool to provide information to emergency responders, physicians and law enforcement personnel in the event that an individual is unable to communication. Typical conditions include diabetes, anaphylactic allergies (food, drug, insect), adrenal insufficiency, pacemaker or other medical device, blood thinners, heart disease, and epilepsy.
Tragic and even fatal mistakes can be made in emergency medical treatment unless special medical problems are known, a shot of penicillin could end the life of one who is allergic to it. Whenever you can not speak for yourself, due to unconsciousness, shock, delirium, hysteria, loss of speech, etc, the MedicAlert emblem speaks for you. To learn more visit www.medicalert.com
National Immunization Awareness Month
The goal of National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is to increase awareness about immunizations across the life span, from infants to the elderly. August is the perfect time to remind family, friends, co-workers, and those in the community to catch up on their vaccinations. Parents are enrolling their children in school, students are entering college, and healthcare workers are preparing for the upcoming flu season.
Immunization is one of the most significant public health achievements of the 20th century. Vaccines have helped to eradicated smallpox, eliminated wild poliovirus in the United States. and significantly reduced the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis and other diseases. But despite these efforts, people in the U.S. still die from these and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Vaccines may offer safe and effective protection from infectious diseases. By staying up-to-date on the recommended vaccines, individuals can help protect themselves, their families and friends and their communities from serious, life-threatening infections.
To download an adult immunization schedule visit
Give Flu the Year Off
Concentra Medical Centers offers on-site flu shot clinics, to learn more call Crystal at 629-5005. The flu season can have a significant and negative impact on employee productivity. By offering employees flu shots, you can reduce lost workdays by 45%, according to Concentra's website.
World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7
The breastfeeding campaign, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, hopes to empower women to commit to breastfeeding by highlighting new research showing that babies who are exclusively breastfed for six months are less likely to develop ear infections, diarrhea and respiratory illnesses, and may be less likely to develop childhood obesity. For more information visit www.fitpregnancy.com/yournewlife/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-awareness-month-40726312.html
Mother friendly worksite wellness tools kits are available at
For more information call Amy at 588-5019.
Friendly Reminder:
The Act to Facilitate Lactation in the Workplace by New Mothers was signed in law on May 6, 2009 by Governor Baldacci. As Public Law, Chapter 84 LD 373, item 1, an employer shall provide adequate unpaid break time or permit an employee to use break time or meal time each day to express breast milk for her nursing child for up to 3 years following childbirth. The employer shall make reasonable efforts to provide a clean room or other than a bathroom, where an employee may express breast milk in privacy. An employer may not discriminate in any way against an employee who chooses to express breast milk in the workplace.
National Night Out Tuesday, August 3
America's Night Out Against Crime
The 27th Annual National Night Out, a unique safety and community event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW).
Last year's National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, over 36 million people participated in National Night Out 2009.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to:
- Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
- Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
- Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
- Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
National Health Center Week August 8-14
September Health Obervances and Related Resources
Baby Safety Awareness Month, Juvenile Product Manufacturing Association www.jpma.org
National Cholesterol Education Awareness Month
|
| Wellness Team Corner |  Healthy Communities of the Capital Area recently ordered these magnets and our new metal Tobacco Free Campus signs from Chief Lee Signs of Manchester. Thank you Lee Anne and Al for the great service, to learn more about Chief Lee signs visit www.chiefleesigns.com Drive Safe, Sober And Buckled Up"During November and December, spirits are high, celebrations abound and travel increases on America's roadways. Unfortunately, drunk driving is usually on the rise as well. That's why we celebrate Tie One On For Safety, a popular public awareness campaign from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, each year during the winter holiday season.
Tie One On For Safety asks Americans to place ribbon, window decal or magnet on their vehicles as a pledge to drive safe, sober and buckled up during the holidays and throughout the year. The message includes safety belts because they're the best defense against a drunk driver. Now is the time to start planning this campaign in your organization, lets work together to make this holiday season a happy, healthy and safe time of year. I am looking for organizations who are interested in implementing this campaign as part of their worksite wellness programs. I am offering FREE magnets and technical support to organizations in HCCA's service area. Call Amy at 588-5019. |
| Keep ME Well! |
Wanted: Volunteers, if you are interested in helping others use KeepMEWell, call Karen at Healthy Communities of the Capital Area at 588-5012 for more information.
The goals of KeepMEWell are to assist Maine adult residents to:
* Assess their risk for chronic disease,
* Receive feedback that promotes action to address identified health risks,
* Link to local community resources that assist residents in taking action to lower their risk for
disease and improve their health,
* Link uninsured and underinsured residents to healthcare services at no cost or sliding scale
cost.
KeepMEWell is a free public service offered by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), Maine Department of Health and Human Services. No personal information about individuals will be collected. Only the individual will decide what to do with their personal results. To participate fully, you will need a computer, internet access, and a printer.
One great use of the personal results report is to use it as a conversation starter with your health care provider to develop a personal health plan with personal goals to address health concerns.
 |
| WANTED: Worksites to use Healthy Maine Works! FREE software |  Healthy Maine Works! is a software program that helps wellness teams develop their strategic plans and administer employee surveys easily and confidentially. This is an opportunity to receive free technical support provided by a Nationally Certified Worksite Wellness Program Consultant and access to the free software. Call Amy at 588-5019 to schedule a demonstration today. |
| New Education Tool for Prescription Drug Safety | A new 9-minute video/DVD that can be used in human resource offices, health care provider offices, classrooms, or social service agencies is available either on You Tube or as a DVD. This tool, developed by the Kennebec County Drug Overdose Prevention Task Force provides viewers with 3 clear messages:
1. Take Medications as Prescribed
2. Don't Share
3. Don't Flush
This message is targeted to people who are prescribed pain medications - and their family members. It has already been used to spark meaningful discussion among social service agency staff and among people at high-risk for overdose.
This video is a great addition to your worksite's back to work program. |
| Farmers Markets |
Augusta:  Turnpike Mall:
Wednesdays & Saturdays 10:00-1:00 WIC Accepted
Mill Park: Tuesdays 2:00-6:00 WIC Accepted
Gardiner:
The Common: Wednesdays 2:00-6:00 WIC & SNAP Accepted
Hallowell:
Water Street: Sundays 11:00-3:00
Wayne:
Mill Pond: Sundays 9:00-11:30
Winthrop:
Union Street: Tuesdays & Saturdays 9:00-1:00 |
| Wellness Council of Maine Training Opportunities |
August
8/4, 11, 18, and 25th: Four-part Webinar: Well Workplace University Certificate Training (Level II)
September
9/9: 2nd Annual Workplace Wellness Leadership Symposium -- Morning session and afternoon break out sessions, HGI Riverwatch, Auburn
9/15, 22, and 29th: Three-part Webinar: Stressed Less: A Roadmap to Managing Unhealthy Stress In the Workplace
9/23 Workplace Wellness Leadership Symposium--Auburn
October
10/19 Half Day Small Business Workshop--Bangor TBD (late October): Well Workplace University Certificate Training (Level II), Bangor
10/20, 10/27 and 11/3, 11/10: Four-part Webinar: Well Workplace University-Certificate Training (Level III)
November
TBD (Mid-November): Well Workplace University for Small Business, Bangor
For more information contact Jaime Laliberty at wellness@bangorregion.com or call |
| The Wellness Council of Maine's 2nd Annual Workplace Wellness Leadership Symposium | |
September 23 · Hilton Garden Inn Riverwatch · Auburn, ME
7:30-8:15am: Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:15-noon: General Morning Session
The Health & Productivity Connection: Program Justification Beyond Health Care Claims
Keynote delivered by author and international presenter: Joseph Leutzinger, Ph.D.
Principal, Health Improvement Solutions, President of the Academy for Health and Productivity Management
Patient Centered Health Plans: Designing the Path to Wellness
Joel Allumbaugh, CEO, National Worksite Benefit Group, Inc, President of the Maine Association of Health Underwriters
The Role of Occupational Hygiene in Workplace Wellness
Lisa Kuronya, Occupational Hygiene Program Manager, GEI Consultants
Innovative Incentives in Worksite Wellness: What's Working in the Real World?
Best Practices, Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead
Speaker is TBD, Employee Health Improvement Program (Works On Wellness), MaineHealth
Noon-3:00pm: Lunch and Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Noon- 12:50: Lunch
1:00-1:50pm: Breakout Session 1: Case Studies highlighting innovative workplace wellness
programs. Learn the history, successes, challenges, programming, outcomes and future plans for health promotion in one of three very different organizations
Option A: Large business: Eastern Maine Medical Center
Debi McCann RN, CCRN, Exercise Specialist ACSM, Director of Wellness, Eastern Maine
Medical Center
Option B: Mid-size business: Dearborn Precision Tubular Products
Larry Catlett, MD, Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Occupational Medical Consulting, LLC
Bill Findeisen, Owner and CEO, Dearborn Precision Tubular Products
Luke Markovich, Project Manager, Dearborn Precision Tubular Products
Dave Pasquale, Plant Manager, Dearborn Precision Tubular Products
Option C: Small Business: Borislow Insurance
Karen Kelly, BS, RN, CCM, Director of Health & Wellness, Borislow Insurance
Debora Mitchell, RHU, Senior Client Consultant, Borislow Insurance
2:00-2:50pm: Breakout Session 2: Putting evidence into practice and maximizing outcomes in the
workplace
Option A: Take Care of Yourself -- Literally! How to help your employees make better health care choices for themselves and their families
Denise Dumont-Bernier, PT, Director, Workplace Health at MaineGeneral
Dorothy Thayer, MD, Medical Director, Primary Care Practices at MaineGeneral
Option B: Healthy Maine Partnerships presents: Tobacco Policies and Tobacco Treatment at the workplace: Impacts and Resources
Joanne E.A. Joy, Executive Director, Healthy Communities of the Capital Area
Amy Wagner, CWWPC, Adult and Worksite Wellness Initiative Program Manager, Healthy
Communities of the Capital Area
Option C: The Role of Employers in Early Intervention of Mental Illness and Depression
Tom Downing, BS, MSB, Director, Maine Medical Center Lifeline Workplace Wellness Program
Anita Ruff, BA, MPH, Program Manager, Maine Medical Center PIER Program
3:00pm: Close
EMAIL wellness@bangorregion.com WITH QUESTIONS
REGISTRATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT www.wellnesscouncilofmaine.org/registration
Symposium Admission
Breakfast and morning session only:
$60 (WLCME members pay only $40, SMWC and HPKV members pay $50)
Full day symposium, lunch included:
$85 (WLCME members pay only $65, SMWC and HPKV members pay $75)
Courtesy of WELCOA: Complimentary Self-Care Essentials Manual for the first 225 Symposium Registrants
|
|
|
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
Visit us online www.healthycommunitiesme.org
HCCA is a local Healthy Maine Partnership (HMP). HMP is a collaborative effort among 28 local coalitions, the Maine DHHS (Maine CDC and Office of Substance Abuse) and DOE, supported primarily by the Fund for Healthy Maine with federal grants from the US CDC, SAMHSA, and DOE. |
|
|
|
|
