State of Nebraska recognized with National Award For Employee Wellness Plan

(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman today announced the State of Nebraska has been awarded the Well Workplace Award presented by the Wellness Council of America for its wellness program for state employees. Nebraska is one of only two states to win the award. “I am very pleased with the success of our wellness program and I am even more pleased that state employees are embracing this program,” Gov. Heineman said. “We are working to create a culture of wellness across the state, which includes walking the walk as a major employer in Nebraska.” The Well Workplace Award has four levels: bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. The State of Nebraska was recognized at the gold level, which recognizes organizations that have developed comprehensive programs that are producing results. Developed in 1991, the award program is a rigorous set of criteria used to recognize the efforts of organizations with successful results-oriented wellness programs. Benchmarks for measuring award applicants include: capturing senior level support, creating cohesive wellness teams, collecting data to drive health efforts, developing an operating plan, choosing appropriate interventions, creating a supportive environment, and consistently evaluating outcomes. The state employee wellness program is known as WellnessOptions, which was introduced in 2009. To date, 4,690 or approximately 33 percent of state employees receiving health insurance benefits have enrolled in the wellness program. This year the program was expanded to include employee’s spouses, with an additional 1,670 spouses participating in the State of Nebraska wellness program. Areas of progress for state employees include an 11 percent improvement in employees reporting increased physical activity and a 19 percent increase in employees getting preventative screenings. More participants are also eating more fruits and vegetables, with fewer participants reporting tobacco use, stress and depression. The state contracts with independent provider to help maintain the privacy of individual employees. HealthFitness Corp works with Fortune 500 companies to provide wellness services that improve health and productivity.