Worksite Wellness Newsletter

Worksite Wellness

Newsletter November 2011

Volume 4

Issue 20

In This Issue

November Health Observances

Healthier Enterpreneurs Corner

Wellness Team Corner

Resources

Welcome to HCCA's monthly Worksite Wellness e-newsletter which contains general health and wellness information, community information & subjects specific to worksite wellness programs.

November Health Observances

American Diabetes Month

This November, join the American Diabetes Association in a national movement to Stop Diabetes. November is American Diabetes Month®-a time to shine a spotlight on a serious disease that leads to potentially life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation.

The facts are:
* 24 million children and adults in the United States live with

diabetes

* 57 million Americans are at risk for type 2 diabetes

* 1 out of every 3 children born today will face a future with

diabetes if current trends of high rates of obesity, lack of physical

activity and unhealthy eating habits continue.

We ask you to join the American Diabetes Association in launching

a national movement to Stop Diabetes-help us confront it, fight it,

and most importantly, stop it.

To learn more visit www. diabetes.org

Diabetes Risk Test
Could You Have Diabetes and Not Know It?
Take the Test, Know your Score

Write in the points next to each statement that is true to you,

statements that are not true for you receive zero points. Then add

your total score.

1. I am a woman who has had a baby weighing more than

     9 pounds at birth    Yes 1 ___
2. I have a sister or brother with diabetes Yes 1 ___
3.  I have a parent with diabetes Yes 1 ___
4.  My weight is equal to or above that listed in the chart

(see below) Yes 5 ___
5. I am under 65 years of age and I get little or no exercise

Yes 5 ___

6. I am between 45 and 64 years of age Yes 5 ___
7. I am 65 years old or older Yes 9 ___

Total _______

Scoring 10 or more points - You are at high risk of having diabetes. Only your health care provider can check to see if you have diabetes. See yours soon and find out for sure.

Scoring 3-9 points - You are probably at low risk of having diabetes now. But don't just forget about it. Keep your risk low by losing weight if you are overweight, being active most days and eating low fat meals that are high in fruits and vegetables and whole grains.

                                   At-Risk Weight Chart
    Height              Weight                    Height              Weight
     4' 10"               129                          4' 11"               133
     5' 0"                138                          5' 1"                 143
     5' 2"                 147                          5' 3"                 152
     5' 4"                 157                          5' 5"                 162
     5' 6"                 167                          5' 7"                 172
     5' 8"                 177                          5' 9"                 182
     5' 10"               188                          5' 11"                193
     6' 0"                 199                          6' 1"                 204
     6' 2"                 210                          6' 3"                216
     6' 4"                 221

Great American Smoke Out Month

Great American Smoke Out - November 17, 2011

The American Cancer Society is marking the 36th Great American Smokeout on November 17 by encouraging smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking

that day. By doing so, smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life - one that can lead to reducing cancer risk.

Quitting smoking is not easy, but it can be done. To have the best

chance of quitting successfully, you need to know what you're up

against, what your options are, and where to go for help.

To learn more visit: www.cancer.org/Healthy/StayAwayfromTobacco/GreatAmericanSmokeout/index

For materials promoting the Maine Tobacco Helpline and Quitlink, call Amy at 588-5019.

Celebrate the Great American Smoke Out by:
* Host No-Smoke Breaks or organized walks when everyone can take a fresh-air breather and relax, as they DON'T light up

* Hold an informal breakfast for smokers and for adoptive non-smokers. Treat them with special American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout materials and other resources
* Set up Smokeout stations where smokers can trade cigarettes or other tobacco products for chewing gum, breath mints, carrot sticks, pretzels and trinkets to help them kick the habit
* Promote the American Cancer Society cessation resources 1-800-ACS-2345

* Promote tobacco cessation supports covered by health insurance-gum, patch, medications, classes, etc

* Promote the Maine Tobacco Helpline at 1-800-207-1230 and the Quitlink www.thequitlink.org

* Promote the Become an Ex website www.becomeanex.org

* Promote the MaineGeneral's Tobacco Cessation Support Options, to learn more call Wendie Lagasse at 861-5275

* If your worksite is not aleady tobacco free, go tobacco free, call Amy for assistance in developing your policy

* Distribute tobacco policy to employees

There is also an active military and veterans effort called Quit Tobacco. Make Everyone Proud. The website is www.ucanquit2.org, where there is a link to a Great American Smokeout Pledge, and a lot of information and support specific to the various branches of military service.

Tie One on For Safety - November 27-December 3, 2011

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 MADD conducts Tie One On For Safety, public awareness campaign, each year during the winter holiday season.

Tie One On For Safety asks Americans to place a red ribbon, MADD ribbon or window decal 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.

To learn more visit www.madd.org/Drunk-Driving/Drunk-Driving/Programs/View-Program.aspx?program=10

What worksites wellness teams can do:

* Take the Tie One On For Safety Pledge and place an HCCA Drive Safe Drive Sober magnetic ribbon on your car. For pledges and magnets call Amy at 588-5019.
* Distribute educational materials regarding the health risks of drinking to employees, call Amy at 588-5019 for materials.

* Distribute educational materials regarding ways to reduce underage drinking to employees, for more information, call Amy at 588-5019.

* Distribute company drug free worksite policy to employees

* Celebrate with chem-free company parties

* Implement a safe driving program

* Implement a cellphone usage policy that does not allow cellphones use while the vehicle is in motion

December Health Observances

National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention (3D) Month

www.nhtsa.dot.gov and www.cdc.gov/ncipc.duip/spotelite

Safe Toy and Gift Month

www.preventblindness.org

For toy recall informaton

www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/toy.html

www.parents.com/product-recalls/toys/

National Hand Washing Awareness Week - December 4 - 10, 2011

www.henrythehand.com

International Volunteer Day - December 5, 2011

www.worldvolunteerweb.org

Healthier Enterpreneurs Corner

by Bill McPeck

Don't spend your health now to gain wealth that you will only need to spend later to regain your health.

This Month's Question: How can I take better care of myself and save money on healthcare at the same time?

In early October, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend a national summit on medical self-care which was held in Omaha, Nebraska. The program was held by the Wellness Council of America and focused on how medical self care can be incorporated into worksite wellness programs. I came away from the program thinking that this approach could also benefit entrepreneurs.

22 Ways to Help Yourself Maintain Your Health and to Cut Healthcare Costs

1. Wash your hands frequently. When you can't wash them, use a hand sanitizer.

2. Take one or more daily walks.

3. Create a personal health record. Here is a link to an example you can use: www.myphr.com/phr_forms/adultform.doc

4. Make sure you have a great primary care doctor. If you don't have a primary care doctor, make getting one a priority.

5. Get yourself a good medical self-care book.

6. Complete your annual preventive care as determined by your age and gender.

7. Locate your closest, low cost urgent care facility for those times when you need urgent care but the issue is not a medical emergency requiring the services of an emergency room. If you have health insurance, make sure the urgent care facility is in your insurance company's network.

8. If you have health insurance, become familiar with the services and information provided through your insurance company's Website. If you don't have health insurance, become familiar with reliable health information resources available through the Internet and Web.

9. If you have health insurance, get a copy of the list of medications covered by your insurance company (the formulary) and the co-pay pricing structure (often called tiering). If you don't have health insurance, shop around for cost and available low cost or free prescription programs.

10. Switch to generic medications if they are available for your medication.

11. If you have health insurance, see if you can order your maintenance type medications through the mail. Ask your physician to write the prescription for a 90 day supply so you pay only one co-pay for each 90 day supply, rather than 3 co-pays for a one month supply three times.

12. Talk with your doctor about using a less expensive therapeutic equivalent or alternative.

13. Ask your doctor if you can double up on the medication strength and take the medication less frequently. For example take a 40 mg dose once a day instead of a 20 mg. dose twice daily.

14. Ask your doctor for medication samples. This is a particularly good strategy to use when you are prescribed a new medication.

15. If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ask your doctor for a prescription for any over the counter drugs you use. With a prescription, you can use the money from your HAS or FSA account.

16. If you are handy to a dental school or dental hygienist training program, you can save money by using them for your dental health needs.

17. If you pay for your healthcare services or if you have insurance and still need to meet your deductible, ask your healthcare provider about price and any discount for paying with cash.

18. It is estimated that 80% of doctor and hospital bills contain errors. If you receive a large bill, ask for an itemized bill and then compare the list of services with the services you received.

19. If you are facing a medical or surgical procedure, check out the Healthcare Blue Book. www.healthcarebluebook.com The Healthcare Blue Book is a free consumer guide to help you determine fair prices in your area for healthcare services. The Blue Book will help you find fair prices for surgery, hospital stays, doctor visits, medical tests and much more. The Blue Book also offers patient resources.

20. Ask about alternate facilities you can go to for tests, diagnostic procedures or treatment.

21. If you are going to purchase or if you have access to health insurance, compare plans on the basis of premiums, out-of-pocket expenses and the benefits each plan provides.

22. Check your medical report. Insurance companies use "credit reports for your health" to share sensitive personal and medical information. Errors in these medical report files cause higher premiums and enable insurers to reject coverage. Under Federal law, all consumers are entitled to annual medical reports from each of the nationwide specialty consumer reporting agencies. Learn more here: www.annualmedicalreport.com/

Got a question? Send it to Bill at william.c.mcpeck@maine.gov. Bill McPeck is a health, wellness and safety expert with training as a social worker and personal coach, as well as holding professional certifications in worksite wellness and work-life balance. Bill is currently Director of Employee Health and Safety for Maine State Government.

Wellness Team Corner

by Amy Wagner, CWWPC

Safety as Part of Your Wellness Program

According to a recent Gallup Poll only 29% of all employees are actively engaged in their jobs while 54% are not engaged and 17% are actively disengaged. This is a serious issue with productivity but also with health, safety and wellness. Employees who are less engaged in their jobs are more likely to have an accident at work and will be out of work longer. For years we have known that the less the employee is engaged in their work the less motivated they are to return to work after an injury. These employees are also less likely to participate in a company's wellness program, which is another arguement for programs to be based on policies, procedures and environments that make the right choices the easy choices or the only choices versus activity based.

The following is a brief listing of ways to connect safety with wellness to create a healthy work environment.

* Develop a Safety and Health Team (consider the following) 1. Designate a team coordinator or chair, 2. Team membership includes different types of employees 3. Meet at least quarterly 4. Develop annual workplan/action plan -goals, objectives, strategies, timeline, etc Coordinate with the wellness team on joint initatives. 5. Set annual budget, even if small 6. Report progress to management at regular intervals. (The intent is to have two teams-a safety and health team and a wellness team, for some companies this may not be feasible)

* Develop a Wellness Team (consider the following) 1. Designate a team coordinator or chair, 2. Team membership includes different types of employees 3. Meet at least quarterly 4. Develop annual workplan/action plan -goals, objectives, strategies, timeline, etc Coordinate with the Safety and Health Team on joint intiatives. 5. Set annual budget, even if small 6. Report progress to management at regular intervals. (The intent is to have two teams-a safety and health team and a wellness team, for some companies this may not be feasible)

* Develop a plan for the Safety and Health Team and Wellness Team to work together on specific strategies.

* Conduct review of available data: workers compensations claim data, accident and near miss reports, survey employees about their health and safety concerns or needs. Address specific areas of concern.

* Conduct a policy and procedure review to ensure all policies and procedures are up to date, some topics to consider:

Visual Terminal Display Ergonomics Chemical Hygiene

MSDS Hazards Drugfree Workplace

Emergency Response Safety Inspections Industry Specific

Safe Driving Cellphone Use AED

Training Inspections Accident Reporting

Near Miss Reporting Air Quality Tobacco Free Policy

Stretch Break Policy Nutrition Policy Physical Activity Breaks

* Provide educational opportunities or trainings to employees to prevent injuries, some topics to consider:

Slips, trips and falls Back Injury Prevention Chemical Exposure

Stairs Hallways Doorways

Electrical Hazards Over exertions Repetitive Motion Injuries

Body conditions Fire Safety Air Quality
Bending Twisting Domestic Violence

Sprains Strains Bruises

Contusions Cuts Fractures

Lacerations Safe Driving Industry Specific

* Conduct regular safety inspections, including electrical, fire, health, air quality, etc issues.

* Post relevant posters provided by Maine Department of Labor, Safety Works and other relevant sources.

* Create a peer ergonomics evaluation and coaching program.

* Contact Maine Safety Works for an evaluation, call 207-623-7900 or fill out form requesting a consultation by visiting www.safetyworksmaine.com

Resources:

Safety and Health Management eTool www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/safetyhealth

NIOSH - National Institute for Safety and Health www.cdc.gov/niosh/

MORA - Maine Occupational Research Agenda www.maine.gov/labor/workplace_safety/mora/index.htm

NORA - National Occupational Research Agenda www.cdc.gov/niosh/NORA/

Lowell Center for Sustainable Production- http://sustainableproduction.org/

EPA -Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov

OSHA- Occupational Safety and Health Administration http://osha.gov/

Safety Works- www.safetyworksmaine.com or call 207-623-7900

Partnership for a Healthy Workforce www.prevent.org/phw.htm

Your Local Healthy Maine Partnership and Healthy Maine Works www.healthycommunitiesme.org, call Amy at 588-5019 for more information.

Resources:

Tobacco Cessation:

Maine Tobacco Helpline - It is Free - It is Confidential and it Works!

HelpLine

quitlink

Website - www.thequitlink.org

Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/QuitLink

Twitter page - http://twitter.com/quitlink

Tobacco Intervention Basic Skills Trainings and Other Trainings:

Nov 2, 2011 Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn

Mar 13, 2012 Spectacular Events, Bangor

Apr 2, 2012 Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland

Level 1 Motivational Interviewing (MI) with Steve Andrew, LCSW, LADC, BCD

Feb 28, 2012 MaineHealth, 110 Free Street, Portland

Webinars: Supplemental training to the Basic Skills Trainings

(web-based trainings 11:00 am to 12:00 pm)

Dec 7, 2011 E-Cignarettes Facts and Fiction

Jan 4, 2012 The E-Referral: Maine Tobacco Helpline Update

Feb 1, 2012 CTI Treatment Center Case Studies

Mar 7, 2012 Smokeless Tobacco

Prerequisite: Completion of the Tobacco Intervention: Basic Skills Training

Intensive Tobacco Treatment Training and Conference

Apr 30-May 3, 2012 Wyndham Airport Hotel, South Portland

Prerequisite: Completion of the Tobacco Intervention: Basic Skills Training

Maine Helpers Program Train-the-Trainer

Training provides practical skills and information for both nonclinical professionals and nonprofessional lay helpers who have a desire assist Maine residents with quitting tobacco.

Mar 14, 2012 Black Bear Inn, Orono

For more information on any of these trainings, call Becky Hendrix at 662-7122 or visit www.tobaccofreemaine.org

Medication Drop Boxes:

The following law enforcement agencies have secure medication drop boxes and accept unwanted and outdated personal and veterinarian medications for disposal from the public any day their lobby is open:

Augusta Police Department,

33 Union Street

Gardiner Police Department,

6 Church Street

Winthrop Police Department, 15 Town Hall Lane

Kennebec Sheriff's Office,

125 State Street, Augusta

Hallowell Police Department is accepting medications to be disposed but the site does not have a drop box.

If you are unable to get to any of these sites to safety dispose your unwanted medications Kennebec Sheriff's Office will pick them up. For more information call KSO at 623-2270.

Educational Resources:

Wellness Council of Maine

Small Business Workplace Wellness Conference

December 7, 2011

7:30 am-Noon

USM Abromson Center, Portland

For a full listing of Wellness Council of Maine training opportunities visit: www.wellnesscouncilofmaine.org

For more information contact Willow Sherwood

email: director@wellnesscouncilofmaine.org

Telephone: 207-947-0307

Southern Maine Wellness Council

For a full listing of Southern Maine Wellness Council training opportunities visit www.mmc.org/lifeline_body.cfm?id=7119

For more information contact Thomas Downing, Director

Lifeline Workplace Wellness Program

Maine Medical Center

Division of Community and Prevention Medicine

Falmouth, ME 04105

P: 207-781-1545

E: downit@mmc.org

W: www.mmc.org/lifelinewellness

Kennebec Valley Entrepreneurial Network

KVEN is a regional effort supported by entrepreneurs, service providers, educational institutions, business organizations and individuals who believe that entrepreneurship is the key to prosperity for Kennebec and Somerset Counties.

In additon to regular meetings that take place every six weeks, you are invited to join the online community on 'LinkedIn.' Just go to www.linkedin.com and register to become part of the LinkedIn online community. Once you are registered, go to the top of the menu bar and click on 'Groups.' Type in Kennebec Valley Entrepreneurial Network and become a member of the group. For more information about events or to learn more about KVEN, please contact Ken Young, 453-4258, ext 16, kyoung@kvcog.org or Shelley Payne, 453-4258 ext 19, spayne@kvcog.org

Other Entrpreneurial Resources:

Women, Work and Community's 60 hour intensive business class, New Ventures, for more information email jenn.dobransky@maine.edu

Small Business Administration (SBA) www.sba.gov

Western Kennebec County Economic Development Alliance www.wkeda.com/

Kennebec Valley Council of Governments www.kvcog.gov

Maine Department of Economic & Community Development www.maine.gov/decd/

Institute for Family-owed Business http://fambusiness.org/

Husson University's Richard E. Dyke Center for Family Business www.husson.edu/index.php?cat_id=296

Webinars, Webcasts, Reports and White Papers

Bucks Consultants www.bucksconsultants.com

Fisher and Phillips www.laborlawyers.com

Health Promotion Live healthpromotionlive.com

Human Nature @ Work David Lee www.humannatureatwork.com

Institute for Health and Productivity Management www.ihpm.org

National Wellness Institute www.nationalwellness.org

WELCOA www.welcoa.org

Wellsteps new.wellsteps.com

Learning Resources Network (LERN) at MSAD #11 (RSU #11) For more information or to register, contact Diann Bailey, Director MSAD #11 Adult Education, Telephone 207-582-3774,

email: dbailey@msad11.org

Safety Works!

SafetyWorks! can help you prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths and reduce related costs. Our services are free and confidential and we don't issue fines or citations.

Safety Works! help keep workers safe and healthy. And we help businesses thrive, because you will save 4-6 dollars for every dollar you invest in safety. The old adage is true - it pays to be safe!

SafetyWorks! specializes in practical solutions to help make workplaces safer and healthier. They want your workplace to be as safe and healthy as possible. To learn more visit http://safetyworksmaine.com/

Healthy Lifestyles Resources:

SparkPeople

A FREE online site that offers free nutrition and exercise trackers, recipes, shopping lists, online communities to join, and health information. Members set goals and can receive online support. To learn more or join visit www.sparkpeople.com

Live Strong

This FREE online site tracks daily food intake, using MyPlate for Diabetes and non-diabetes, exercise and weight, includes detailed exercise routine, calculates body mass index (BMI) and recommended daily caloric intake based weight, height, weight loss goals, activity levels, etc for FREE. To learn more or to join visit www.livestrong.com

Fit Day

A FREE online site where members can calculate and record daily food intake and exercise, track weight loss and monitor goals. To learn more or join visit www.fitday.com

CDC Physical Activity Planning and Tracking Tools (also FREE)

www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/tools/index.html#Physical%20Activity%20planning

My physical Activity Diary

Meals Matter

Small Steps.gov

MyPyramid Tracker

MyPlate

The President's Challenge

Heart 360

Heart 360 is a convenient and secure location for you to track and manage your heart health. Record your health data with Heart 360 online trackers, access additional information and resources on how to be heart healthy, and even share your results with your healthcare provider. To learn more visit www.heart360.org

Start!

Start! is the American Heart Association's program to get Americans walking to improve heart health. To learn more visit startwalkingnow.org

America On the Move

America On the Move (AOM) is an evidence-based nonprofit dedicated to help you take small steps and make small lifestyle changes for a healthier way of life. This site contains health information, eating, walking, healthy lifestyle tracking programs and health assessments. To learn more visit www.americaonthemove.org

Couch to 5K

Many of the sites I work with are promoting Couch to 5K, a beginner's running schedule has helped thousands of new runners get off the couch and onto the roads, running 3 miles in just two months. To learn more visit www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

My Fitness Pal

This free resource lets you track the food you eat and the exercise you participate in on their website or with free mobile apps: www.myfitnesspal.com

Nutrition Education

Learn more about portion size, balanced meals, and get healthy eating tips at www.choosemyplate.gov

Trail Finding Resources:

Healthy Maine Walks www.healthymainewalks.org

Move More www.movemore.org

Healthy Communities of the Capital Area www.healthycommunitiesme.org

Maine Trail Finder www.mainetrailfinder.com

Maine State Parks Trails www.trails.com/state-park-trails.aspx?keyword=state%20park&state=ME

Kennebec Land Trust www.tklt.org

Kennebec River Rail Trail www.krrt.org

Viles Arboretum www.vilesarboretum.org

Trails www.trails.com

Substance Abuse Resources:

Does Someone You Know Have an Opioid Addiction?

Free monthly meetings to learn about addiction, medication-assisted treatment and recovery

Augusta:

Meetings are held the third Tuesday at noon at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 69 Winthrop Street. For more information call Jayne Harper at 621-3740 or Helen Pare at 266-8881

Waterville:

Meetings are at 12:30 pm at the Eskelund Center at the Maine Children's Home, 93 Silver Street, Waterville. The meetings dates are November 2 and December 7, for more information call Jayne Harper at 621-3740 or Brenda Radel at 872-7272

All Recovery Support Meetings

Sponsored by the Maine Recovery Communities Coalition. All Recovery Support Meetings welcome people from every addiction recovery pathway. Meetings are free of charge.

When: Thursdays

Where: Green Street Methodist Church, 14 Green Street, Augusta

For more information call Deb Dettor at 458-4366 or Peter Wohl at 626-3448

Find a Meeting Near You:

To find Alcohol Anonymous, Al Anon, Cocaine Anonymous, Co Anon, Narcotics Anonymous and Narcotics Anon meetings near your visit www.usrecovery.info/AA/Maine.htm

Resources from Past Articles

Mediation Services

Find out how you can take advantage of low cost mediation and conflict coaching services. Mediation Services is a program of Volunteers of America Northern New England. Please contact Nancy Markowitz, Program Director at (207) 373-1140 ext 229, mediate@voanne.org or www.voanne.org

Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence

430-8334 or www.mcedv.org.

National Domestic Violence Helpline

1-800-799-SAFE, 1-866-834-4357

Family Violence Project

www.familyviolenceproject.org or call 623-8637.

The Augusta Crisis Line 623-3569 or 1-877-890-7788

Hardy Girls, Healthy Women www.hardygirlshealthywomen.org

Silent No More www.silentnomore.org

The Grandest Parents of All

A support group and series of workshops for grandparents and other relatives raising young children. Meetings are held the third Thursday each month, 5-7 pm at Educare, 56 Drummond Ave, Waterville, for more information call Samantha Thibodeau at 626-3497

Health Risk Assessment Resource:

KeepMEWell

To take the free, easy, private health risk assessment visit www.keepmewell.org

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 slide 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 primary healthcare provider to develop a personal health plan with personal goals to address your health concerns.

211 Logo Still looking for a resource check out 211

Call 211 or go online at www.211maine.org

Healthy Maine Works

Healthy Maine Works is a FREE online tool designed to guide Maine employers in developing an effective worksite wellness plan. Supporting employee health can reduce absences, boost productivity and improve morale and performance.

How can Healthy Maine Works work for you?

The program offers Maine employers a variety of resources, including:

* Employee surveys and an organizational assessment to identify health-related priorities

* Detailed strategies and resources

* A wellness action plan

Already have a plan in Action?

The wellness activities combined with the expertise and resources by the Healthy Maine Partnerships staff will give any wellness program a boost!

Call Amy at 588-5019 to schedule a demonstration today.

Farmers Markets

Augusta:

Mill Park:

until 11/22

Tuesdays 2 - 6 pm

Gardiner:

November 2-April 18

at Johnson Hall on Water Street

First and Third Wednesdays

2-6pm

For worksites looking to create their own mini farmers market, Crown of Maine Organic Cooperative's buying

clubs may be just what

you need.

To learn more visit www.crownofmainecoop.com

My Fresh Maine, your local online farmers market www.myfreshmaine.com, orders are shipped directly to the customer through next-day delivery

Save the Date:

Maine Indoor Air Quality Conference March 20-21, 2012 to learn morevisit www.maineindoorair.org

Our Board of Directors

Mary Frances Bartlett

Rebecca West Dick

Dick Dyer

Rob Gordon, Treasurer

Patricia Hopkins

Kala Ladenheim

William McPeck, Vice Chair

Emilie van Eeghen

Frederick A. White, PhD

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

HCCA has FREE signs: metal, corrugated plastic, window clings and laminated, Call Amy at 588-5019

new tobacco free signs

plastic tobacco signs

smokefree signs

Outdoor Dining

Breathe Easy!

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 for which the employer is responsible

* In common areas

* In private offices

* In employee 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 (ie windows, air exchanges, etc)

* In DHHS licensed residential facilities

* 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

To report violations www.tobaccofreemaine.org/train_take_action/report _a_violation.php

If you do not feel your issue has 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

Maine law makes common areas in our state parks and historic sites smoke-free. These areas include:

* Beaches

* Playgrounds

* Snack Bars

* Picnic Shelters

* Business Facilities

* Restrooms

* Public Spaces

Smoking is prohibited in outdoor eating areas. Outdoor eating areas are defined as a patio, deck or other property that is particially 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 request all persons within the outdoor eating area to comply with the law.

Thank you for your commitment to the health and well-being 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 & 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.