Training Workplace Wellness Advisors to Create Healthy Communities Haan, M., Lapaz, L., Newman, L., Tenney, L.

1. Training Workplace Wellness Advisors to Create Healthy CommunitiesHaan, M., Lapaz, L., Newman, L., Tenney, L. Results and Impact Health LinksTM has trained over 50 advisors to help implement comprehensive worksite wellness programs in Colorado. The Health Links Process for Worksite Wellness Capacity Building • Background • Compared to 77% of large employers, only 27% of small businesses offer workplace wellness programs. • Businesses face real and perceived barriers to adopting and implementing programs. This includes lack of resources, leadership commitment, employee engagement, and training. • In order to address these problems, the Center for Worker Health & Environment at the Colorado School of Public Health launched Health Links in 2013. • Health Links is a community-based program that certifies, connects, and advises small businesses on evidence-based practices to implement sustainable workplace health, wellness and safety programs. • 50 Connections to health, wellness and safety vendor • Reached over 600 employees to promote workplace wellness programs • 26 Advising Sessions • 17 Certified Healthy Businesses • Train Community Leaders • Recruit Small Businesses (<500 employees) • Businesses enroll in Kick-Start Program • Conduct Advising Session • Create Healthy Business Action Plan • Implement Program • Apply for Healthy Business Certification Health LinksTM Healthy Business Framework: Establish Supportive Organizational Culture & Leadership Dedicate Some Resources Assess the Needs of Employees Set Clear Goals and Priorities Address Safety and Integrate Systems to Create Comprehensive Program Design Promote Participation Communicate Strategically Evaluate, Learn, and Improve The Four Pillars of Wellness 20 Partner Organizations in support of program • Approach • Health LinksTM trains health and safety, health promotion, health care, public health, and other professionals on an integrated approach to prevention adopted from evidence-based practices tailored from the CDC Worksite Health Score Card and the WHO Healthy Workplace Model. • Health LinksTM aims to: • Train community, health, wellness and business leaders the building blocks of the Healthy Business Framework. • Work with businesses one-on-one to create Healthy Business Action Plans that address specific employer and employee health, wellness and business needs. • Connect businesses to local community providers and vendors and resources that can offer support for creating healthy workplaces. Contact For more information please visit: HealthLinksColorado.org Or contact: Michelle Haan – Michelle.Haan@healthlinkscolorado.org Lucia Lapaz – Lucia.Lapaz@healthlinkscolorado.org Resources Assessment tool, and program ideas: CDC Worksite Health Scorecard Manual: http://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/pubs/docs/HSC_Manual.pdf Integration of NIOSH and workplace health promotion, with comprehensive resources:Total Worker Health:http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/TWH/