Building a successful Wellness Program Building Blocks to Success Dr. Nicole Hare-Everline, CHES May 11, 2016

Great Ideas (Evidence-based Practices) Bricks to Success You (Wellness Liaison) Collaborative Partnerships Passion for Health Great Ideas (Evidence-based Practices)

Building the Foundation: You Get informed: Best Practices Talk to experts in the field Attend health education workshops and conferences Build relationships with potential partners in health Learn about best practices in wellness Learn basic health skills to teach others

WELLNESS BEST PRACTICES

What are Best Practices? Evidence-based Development, implementation and evaluation of effective programs and policies in public health through application of scientific reasoning

Finding Evidence-based Programs Academic journals Public Health and Health Education professional organizations Networking

Building the Foundation: Collaborative Partnerships Local health organizations, clinics, physician groups, etc. Collaborate to provide expert health information and programs Avoid temptation to only promote expert services via brochures: Bring experts onsite!

CASE STUDY

Case Study: City of Houston Overview Successful Wellness Program >90% participation in Wellness Programs over last 5 years medical costs Data-driven health improvements

Case Study: City of Houston Primary Building Block Executive Leadership Support Expand on importance of having both executive team support, management team support and informal leader support

Case Study: City of Houston Varying levels of engagement Low Touch Mid-touch High Touch Focus on providing a variety of levels of engagement – something to reach everyone at various stages of change, etc. Low touch: Flyers and Health Awareness Building Events (Information tables/health fairs) Mid-touch: One-time health seminars (one topic) High touch: Multi-week / multi topic (or multi faceted) lifestyle management programs

Case Study: City of Houston Partnerships with local health organizations Groups to partner with: Physician groups: teach seminars Biometric Screening Vendor: Biometric Screenings onsite Personal Trainers: Onsite Fitness Classes Other health groups: provide resource events; onsite cooking demos; fitness demos; multi-week challenges (i.e. Million Mile Month, etc.)

Put your building blocks to success together SUMMARY

Foundation Knowledge Passion Collaboration

Build your Network Executive Leadership Support Collaborative Partnerships

Implement Evidence-Based Practice Evidence-based: Research has shown program success

Question and Answer