Steps to a HealthierMN

Saint Paul - Ramsey County Department of Public Health staff members have been busy identifying and developing resources for companies and organizations in St. Paul. The intent is to promote employee wellness by making it easy for employers to start a Worksite Wellness program. The web site is now available at http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/ph/hb/

worksite_wellness.htm. It includes links to FAQs about a Worksite Wellness Program, Why Worksite Wellness is Important, the Minnesota Department of Health WorkWell Healthy MN Worksite Toolkit, Additional Web Resources, Program Development Checklists, Healthy policy templates, Incentive Ideas, and Stages of Change.

In addition to the web site, employers may call Saint Paul – Ramsey County Department of Public Health for consultation meetings with a health educator and a resource book. If you have questions or want additional information, contact Berit Peterson at 651-266-2469 or by email at Berit.Peterson@co.ramsey.mn.us.

Saint Paul Public Schools District Staff Wellness Program 2008-09

Staff can participate in the following programs this year at Saint Paul Public Schools. The District Wellness Program is sponsored by HealthPartners.

Walking Tour of America— This program begins Sept. 2 and ends May 29. Staff will take a virtual walking tour of America logging their steps each month. Participants receive a weekly email telling them how many steps to aim for that week so the group makes it to the next destination.

Holiday Weight Challenge— This annual program will begin sometime around the holidays to keep staff from overindulging during this most joyful season. Staff will receive emails that give them helpful tips on how to survive holiday parties and still stay on track.

Weekly activity events— Staff members will receive an email from District Wellness each week. The “activity events” will cover health topics such as lowering your cholesterol or tips on how to use healthful food substitutes. The activity events follow a calendar of monthly health observances. September 2008, for instance, is Cholesterol Awareness Month.

For more information visit the District Wellness Program website at www.wellness.spps.org

District Service Facility wellness committee offers exercise room for staff

The SPPS District Service Facility at 1930 Como Avenue has opened up an exercise room for staff this year. Staff is invited to come up to a 2nd floor conference room during the lunch hour to participate in aerobics and strengthening dvd's. The Steps grant has purchased various exercise dvd's, stability balls, weights and yoga mats for staff to use.

Brain Gym technique comes to Saint Paul Public Schools

Staff from six schools in the Saint PaulSchool district had the opportunity to go through an introduction to “Brain Gym” in February thanks to funds from the Steps to a Healthier St. Paul grant. A second Brain Gym training was held with the Learner’s Support Framework group reaching staff from twelve schools ranging from grades K-8 in SPPS. Brain Gym supports easier and faster learning, better performance and increased focus to overcome learning challenges. Read more.

Saint Paul Public Schools Healthy Grants Team LIVE! Newsletters

Healthy Food Environment

Nearly 60% of the U.S. population is employed. Full-time employees spend 40 hours of more each week in the work environment, and at least one meal or snack is usually eaten at work each day. By providing nutritious options at work, the worksite can help employees make healthy choices each and every day. Cater to Health (CTH) is a coalition of representatives from health-oriented organizations around Minnesota whose mission is to promote healthy nutrition practices in Twin Cities metro area workplaces to reduce the burden of chronic disease.

CTH offers a variety of resources to help create a healthy nutrition environment in the workplace. Resources include a list of vendors in counties in the metro area offering healthy options, sample policies, tips on healthy foods for meetings and more! Check it out at www.catertohealth.org.

New materials and tools to create a healthy vending program in the worksite are now available!