Agenda - 10-20-2009 - 4d - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 20, 2009 Action Agenda Item No. ~{-- SUBJECT: Grant Application to North Carolina Association of County Commissioners for Wellness Program DEPARTMENT: Human Resources PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): 1. NCACC Grant Application 2. Wellness Activities 2006-present INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael McGinnis, HR Director, 245- 2552 Diane Shepherd, Benefits Mgr., 245- 2558 Nidhi Sachdeva, Senior Public Health Educator, 245-2440 PURPOSE: To authorize the submission of the County's wellness grant application to the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners (NCACC) Risk Management Pool for Employee Wellness Program funding; to accept any funds awarded; and to establish a grant project ordinance to monitor expenditures per the grantor's request. BACKGROUND: The NCACC provides a wellness grant for members of the risk management pool. Grants are based on the number of employees to a maximum of $7,500. As a member of that pool, it is proposed that Orange County submit a grant (Attachment 1) that will provide printing, materials and incentives for the 2010 employee wellness program referred to as SLICE (Successful Lifestyles Initiatives for County Employees). The grant application is a collaborative effort between the Health Department and Human Resources Department, with input from the Employee Wellness Committee of the Employee Relations Consortium. Grant funds are to be used beginning within 90 days of receiving the grant money. Since 2006, Orange County has provided numerous activities to promote employee health and wellness (See Attachment 2). In 2006, Orange County received a grant of $14,000 from the NCACC which provided funding for health risk assessments, health screenings, employee communications and participation incentives (a sport bag) to employees. Over 200 employees participated in the health screenings. In 2007, when no incentive was available, fewer than 75 employees participated in the same health screenings and risk assessment. Due to costs, Orange County has not funded incentives for wellness activities. Since 2006 the County has relied on the NCACC for incentives (picnic baskets, smoothie makers, sports bags filled with health-related items, etc.) for wellness activities, which are distributed as a drawing and not available to every participant. Despite communication and promotional efforts, only 10%-15% of employees participated in all wellness activities each year.