36 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, ME 04345
making connections ~ improving lives Worksite Wellness Newsletter of HCCA
Volume 3 Issue 20 Adult and Worksite Wellness |
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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 |
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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
| | 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 |
| Wanted: Worksites to use Healthy Maine Works! | |
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 |
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 Welcome HCCA's
September 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 FREE 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.
*in 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 |
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| Wellness Team Corner |  This summer I received a wake up call regarding texting and driving by the death of someone in my personal circle. Over the summer I have looked at my own cellphone use in a new light and now hardly ever use my cellphone for any purpose while the car is in motion. The following is a sample policy that may help reduce distracted driving and potentially save lives:
"While working for (company name), employees in cars are not allowed to use cellphones for outgoing calls or text messaging while the car is in motion. If an incoming call must be answered, the employee must find a safe place to leave the road to conduct the conversation. If you must talk while driving, please request a hands-free phone from your supervisor."
On Friday April 30, 2010, Oprah Winfrey and Harpo Studios announced a campaign taking a stand against distracted driving, by launching a new public service announcement campaign and joining forces with some of the country's preeminent transportation safety organizations to declare Friday, April 30 the first national "No Phone Zone Day." A large-scale effort to honor victims of distracted driving, "No Phone Zone Day" will also educate and activate Americans to end the deadly driving habits that kill nearly 6,000 Americans a year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Visit www.oprah.com/packages/no-phone-zone.html and take the pledge! |
| Injury Prevention Conference | You are invited to attend the September 15 Injury Prevention Conference at the Morgan Hill Event Center in Hermon, Maine. For more information contact Christina Mitchell at christina.m.mitchell@maine.gov
Objectives of the Day:
*Raise awareness of injuries across the lifespan at the national level and in Maine
*Identify injury prevention activities, initiatives and programs being conducted in Maine
*Identify opportunities for injury prevention collaboration and partnerships
*Brainstorm ideas for the development and integration of a Maine injury prevention toolkit
*Discuss upcoming injury prevention Request For Proposal
Invited to Attend: Public Safety Professionals, Health Care Professionals, Head Start and Child Care Providers, Educators, Community Based Coalition Members, Senior Safety Advocates, Community, School and Public Health Nurses, Local, County and State Agency staff and other injury prevention advocates.
* There is no fee to attend. |
| On Premise and Off Premise Responsible Beverage Server Trainings | | Healthy Communities of the Capital Area, Hallowell Area Board of Trade, Gardiner Main Street and six local law enforcement agencies are sponsoring state approved training certification programs for servers, managers, owners and store clerks.
For onsite servers the training is:
* Tuesday, September 14, 2010
* 8 am to 12 pm noon
* Club 223, 223 Water Street Hallowell
Registration fee is $10
Certification is valid for 5 years
A second opportunity is a seminar for managers and owners who have taken a certified program and are already familiar with the laws and best practices related to on-premise alcohol sales. It is an opportunity to discuss some of the business issues that are the most challenging.
The managers and owners seminar will be held:
* Tuesday, September 14, 2010
* 12:30pm to 2:30 pm at
* Club 223, 223 Water Street, Hallowel.
This opportunity is free and a light lunch will be served
The Second Annual Alcohol Server Training for Off Site Premise Licenses will be held:
* September 15, 2010
* 8:00 am to 12:30 pm
* Medical Care Development Corporate Office, 11 Parkwood Drive, Augusta
Registration fee is $10
Certification is valid for 5 years
This training and consistent use of the strategies can help strengthen the confidence of your sales staff and prevent costly violations.
For some businesses, successful completion of these certificate trainings reduce the cost of their Liquor Liability Insurance. (Check with your insurance provider) Participants will recieve a certificate and will be registered with the Department of Public Safety, Liquor Licensing for a period of 5 years.
To Register or for more information contact Karen Tucker at Healthy Communities of the Capital Area by phone 588-5012 or by email ktucker@mcd.org |
| September Health Observances |
 America on the Move - Month of Action
In September, America On the Move will host STEPtember 2010, their fifth annual, month-long celebration highlighting how easy it is to be active and eat healthier. During the event, AOM will encourage Americans to try its small changes approach to healthier living, allowing hundreds of thousands of Americans to experience the simplicity, power, and success of making small changes to live a healthier life.
AOM's research proves that small, specific changes in food and physical activity can have a significant impact on health and effectively stop weight gain. The research-based programs encourage people to move more and eat healthier by making two small daily changes:
- Take 2,000 more steps (about one mile)
- Eat 100 fewer calories (about a tablespoon of butter)
Engaging in AOM's small changes approach can help participants achieve energy balance and stop the average national adult weight gain of one to two pounds a year.
For great tips on implementing small changes in your life, check out 100 Ways to Add 2,000 Steps and 100 Ways to Cut 100 Calories.
How can I log my STEPtember activities?
Tracking your steps and activities is easy on AOM's website. If you've not already done so, registering for AOM is the first step. Selecting the AOM Promotions checkbox during registration will ensure you are automatically placed in the AOM Promotions group. You then need to go to the group's page and enroll in the STEPtember 2010 challenge under the 'progress tab'.
If you're an existing AOM participant, enter AOM Promotions in the search field and click to view the group page. Join the AOM Promotions group and then join the STEPtember 2010 challenge under the 'progress' tab.
Only participants enrolled in the STEPtember 2010 challenge will be eligible to win gift certificates! To learn more visit www.americaonthemove.org America On the Move is a great resource year round, all the tools your organization needs to create their own evidence based walking program is available on the website. Pick your destination such as Mexico City,Mexico, use google maps or yahoo maps to develop a walking map and use the tools from AOM to track your progress.
 Fruit & Veggie Month
Almost Everyone Needs to Eat More Fruits and Vegetables, a growing body of research shows that fruits and vegetables are critical to promoting good health. To get the amount that's recommended, most people need to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables they currently eat every day. Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that may help protect you from chronic diseases. Compared with people who consume a diet with only small amounts of fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts as part of a healthful diet are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke and perhaps other cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers.
 National Cholesterol Education Awareness Month
September is National Cholesterol Education Month, a good time to get your blood cholesterol checked and take steps to lower it if it is high. National Cholesterol Education Month is also a good time to learn about lipid profiles and about food and lifestyle choices that help you reach personal cholesterol goals.
High blood cholesterol affects over 65 million Americans. It is a serious condition that increases your risk for heart disease. The higher your cholesterol level, the greater the risk. You can have high cholesterol and not know it. Lowering cholesterol levels that are too high lessens your risk for developing heart disease and reduces the chance of having a heart attack or dying of heart disease. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute offers helpful resources to use during National Cholesterol Education Month To learn more visit: http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/cholmonth/
Other Health Observances for September and Resources
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| 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
disease and improve their health 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 .
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| 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 return to work program |
| Wellness Council of Maine Training Opportunities |
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 Laliberte at wellness@bangorregion.com or call 947-0307 |
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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
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Amy Wagner, Adult and Worksite Wellness Initiatives Program Manager
Nationally Certified Worksite Wellness Program Consultant Healthy Communities of the Capital Area
awagner@mcd.org ~ 207.588.5019
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. |
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