The Governor’s Awards for Wellness Innovation

Previous Awardees

 

2008 Awardees

Town of East Greenwich -- The Ramblers Hiking Group

This free and fun program provided residents with a chance to grab their hiking shoes, get physically active, and discover some of the most beautiful wildlife and open spaces in Rhode Island.  Organized and managed by the Town of East Greenwich Parks & Recreation Department, the Ramblers Hiking Group attracted adults who wanted to be active while at the same time explore Rhode Island’s natural open spaces.  In 2007, a total of 253 individuals participated in the 21 walks, covering a total of 576 miles.  The daytime hikes attracted mainly retired individuals over 65 years of age and stay-at-home parents.  The program was held twice a year in the spring and fall and was publicized in seasonal Parks & Recreation mailings to residents, on the Town’s website, in the Town Library and Town Hall and in local papers.  Guided by Town staff, hikes took place once a week and were designed with alternative routes so that adults with limited endurance and ability could choose hikes based on their comfort level.   

Shape Up RI

This annual statewide health campaign encourages Rhode Islanders to improve their health and lifestyle by increasing their physical activity levels and developing smart eating practices.  Participants compete on teams of 5-11 members to see who can lose the greatest percentage of collective team weight, log the most hours of physical activity and walk the highest number of pedometer steps over a twelve week period.  Shape Up RI is founded on the premise that the solution to our national obesity epidemic lies in the power of teamwork and peer support.  Each week during the competition participants receive email updates with important health news, team exercise ideas, healthy cooking tips and recipes and information about local wellness events.  Over 12,000 participants competed from 39 cities and towns in the state in 2008.  Collectively, participating Rhode Islander’s lost an average of 7.1 pounds, exercised more than 330,000 hours and walked more than three million miles in 2008.

Kent Hospital -- Kids Choose To Be Healthy

Kent Hospital’s Kids Choose To Be Healthy is a multi-disciplinary program blending nutrition and fitness education to help overweight and obese children and their families learn healthy eating and exercise habits.  With funding provided by several local grants, the program targets children ages 6-10 with a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile.  The program provides a family-centered educational opportunity designed to combat obesity and help families learn behaviors to help them attain lifelong health.  The program is free to participants and includes 8 sessions; parents are required to attend and siblings were welcome.  All classes involve hands-on activity and include topics on portion control, school lunches, food labels, fruit/vegetable challenges and age-appropriate, family focused physical activities.  Parents are encouraged to include children in meal planning, shopping for healthy options, trying new foods and limiting sedentary activities by encouraging play time and limiting screen time.  Taught by Registered Dieticians and Exercise Physiologists, each curriculum topic provides families with knowledge to change habits for the entire family as well as the overweight child.  The success of the program has been measured by lower BMI in 72% of children, 88% reported increased intake of fruits and vegetables, 48% reported increased physical activity outside of school and 65% reported reduced screen time.

 Hope High School -- Healthy Huskies Wellness Center

The Mount Hope High School Healthy Huskies Wellness Center and physical education curriculum have creatively developed programs that engage students and staff and promote awareness of the importance of regular physical activity.  The Healthy Huskies Wellness Center is a one-of-a kind, in-school fitness center that services approximately 1,700 members of the Mount Hope High School community, including students, teachers and staff.  Funded by several local grants, it features cardiovascular and strength training equipment including treadmills, cross-trainers, exercise bikes Nautilus strength training machines, free weights and a traverse/vertical climbing wall used during physical education classes as well as available for use an hour before school and from 2:30-5pm daily.  In addition to the state-of-the-art Wellness Center, Mount Hope High School adopted a fitness-focused physical education curriculum.  As opposed to the traditional “skills and drills” model of physical education where students learn, practice and demonstrate skills and techniques of various sports and activities, beginning in 2002 students learn how to assess their fitness levels, design personal exercise plans and how to safely and effectively use exercise equipment and apply exercise principles to achieve and maintain their fitness goals.  Students can choose activities that best suit their likes and needs including strength training, cardiovascular training, fitness games, sports and leisure activities, rock climbing and more.  Particular emphasis is placed on disengaged and special needs students; students who were previously disengaged are now active learners and special needs students are benefiting from the focus on regular, meaningful and practical physical activity.  This curriculum shift proved effective as the physical education failure rate decreased from 24% in the 2002-03 school year to 12% in 2007-08. 

Beacon Mutual Insurance Company -- Fitness Challenge

Beacon Mutual’s 2007 Fitness Challenge put a creative spin on some routine fitness goals.  The program encouraged employees to lose weight, gain fitness and increase their understanding of the benefits of good nutrition and regular exercise while engaging employees in several different competitive and non-competitive challenges.  Looking to engage all employees, the program aimed to increase participation among two groups in particular: employees who were already committed to healthy lifestyles but felt overlooked by previous programs designed for “at risk” groups and those employees who had never participated in previous wellness programs.  The 12-week Fitness Challenge gave employees the option to participate in a “Just-for-Fun” group judged only by participation or a “Goal-oriented” group in which employees competed to make the greatest improvement in categories like weight loss, waist to hip measurement ratio and body composition.  In order to measure the impact of the program all participants completed pre and post assessments but could pick and chose what components of the program to participate in.  Participants had the option of engaging in any type of physical activity they wanted in the “Build-a-Lighthouse” aerobic challenge and were awarded a brick for every 15 minutes of aerobic activity they did to put toward building the Beacon Mutual lighthouse.  During the contest 2497 bricks were awarded, equal to 37,455 minutes of physical activity.  Weekly quiz challenges distributed over the company’s intranet appealed to employees not interested in physical competition and helped increase their knowledge about many health and wellness issues- some as simple and useful as knowledge about specific walking distances near the building showing that regularly engaging in short walks could easily accumulate into miles of walking.  Incentive prizes were given by random drawing to those in the “Just for Fun” group and to those who made the largest improvements in the “Goal-oriented” group.  With the 2007 Fitness Challenge Beacon Mutual engaged both at-risk and healthy employees each with different interests, motivation and competitive levels and demonstrated successful outcomes.       

2007 Awardees

Leon Mathieu Senior Center -- Senior Fitness and Wellness Program

The Leon Mathieu Senior Center provides Pawtucket’s older adults with a safe, supportive and nurturing environment where they can access information about community resources and programs.   Their Senior Fitness and Wellness Program offers programs and services including fitness classes, nutrition education and wellness programs (such as therapeutic massage, aromatherapy and relaxation therapy) and assists the older population of the community by empowering them to take control of their health in a holistic manner that embraces the concept of coordinating mind, body, and spirit.  Nutrition education in the form of interactive presentations with a licensed nutritionist, as well as cooking demonstrations and one-on-one nutrition counseling is offered on a regular basis.  The program services men and women between the ages of 55 to 97 and reached about 180 citizens in 2007.  To allow Senior Center staff to assess the worthiness and successfulness of programs and services, participants complete evaluations each year.  In these evaluations participants have expressed that they have experienced great physical improvements including increased flexibility, better balance, enhanced endurance and more strength as well as a greater sense of well being, a reduction of stress and muscle tension, and relief from anxiety and depression.  Many participants have stated that they initially came to a program to lose weight, lower their blood pressure, or improve their nutrition, but had the added benefit of having more energy and feeling better.  Many of the participants have noted that the socialization aspect of participating in the classes because they have made friends with other class members, and gives them a reason to get out of the house.  Fitness and nutrition instructors have noted that the seniors have become pro-active about their health, as well as the health of their family members. 

Johnson & Wales University -- Veggin’ Out

The Veggin’ Out program is a collaborative outreach and education project designed to address the nutritional needs of seniors and low-income families.  The program provides educational opportunities that equip children and adults to prepare culturally appropriate, nutritious recipes that incorporate fresh, locally grown produce.  Veggin’ Out was created to address many of the obstacles preventing low-income families from eating a diet sufficient in fresh fruits and vegetables, such as cost, accessibility, unfamiliarity with local produce, lack of culinary skills or knowledge to prepare vegetables, and lack of knowledge about the importance of fruits and vegetables in a healthy diet.  The intent of the program is to increase produce consumption among seniors and low-income families across RI by working with existing government nutrition assistance programs.  Veggin’ Out is a model curriculum for ethnic communities and has a unique delivery program.  Each summer/early fall, an average of eight Veggin’ Out Women, Infants and Children (WIC) demos and ten Veggin’ Out Department of Environmental Management (DEM) demos are held throughout RI’s core cities. WIC participants receive Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), checks to be redeemed for farmers’ market produce.  Veggin’ Out uses the produce donated by the farmers at the market in order to demonstrate healthy, produce-based recipes; consequently this program also helps sustain RI farmers.  Veggin’ Out provides program participants with free on-site cooking demonstrations led by J&W chefs, samples of recipes, children’s activities, bi-lingual recipe booklets, nutrition information and incentives.  Participants can sample the dishes and take copies of the recipes to make at home using produce purchased at the market with their FMNP checks.  Since its debut eight years ago, the Veggin’ Out program has reached tens of thousands people through approximately 16 farmers’ markets each year. Through a farmers’ market survey administered once every year, local WIC officials ascertain that 50% of the RI WIC FMNP participants are now trying new produce as a result of the program.  

The Department of Veteran’s Affairs- MOVE!

MOVE is a national weight management program designed by the Veteran’s Affairs National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.  MOVE, Managing Overweight Obesity for Veterans Everywhere, helps veterans lose weight, keep it off and improve health.  A healthy weight is important in managing other chronic diseases.  Approximately 64% of US citizens are over weight and it has been reported that 72.7% of veterans are overweight.  The program helps veterans lose weight, keep it off and improve their health.  It is designed to reach the most high-risk veterans who are most likely to benefit from it.  MOVE programs run six weeks and are conducted five times a year.   Since its inception, there have been 130 veterans enrolled in the program.  Enrollment in MOVE is strongly recommended for veterans with Body Mass Index (BMI) 25 -29 and co-morbid conditions. (i.e. diabetes and hypertension).  The program emphasizes health and well-being, not appearance while assisting patients with setting individual goals with a lifetime/lifestyle focus; incorporating content that includes behavior, nutrition and physical activity; and, developing individually tailored treatment with periodic treatment plan revisions.  Once the veteran has reached their goal, they are offered a MOVE Maintenance Program, conducted once a month and led by a nutritionist and a physical therapist.   Overall, there is an ongoing supportive relationship between the staff and those who attend the class and results have been positive.  The average age of enrolled veterans was 61 and the average weight at the beginning of the program was 260 lbs.  The average weight lost after 6 weeks was – 5.5 lbs and the average change in the BMI was -2.1.  
 
Guiteras School -- Fun and Fitness Program

Guiteras School is one of seven elementary schools in the Bristol Warren Regional Public School system serving 280 students in Kindergarten through grade five.  The Fun and Fitness Program provides creative fitness opportunities to students while also engaging their parents and the community.  Programs include:  1) Morning Exercise where students sign up to participate three days per week before school for 35 minutes. The gym is set up with activities and is supervised by a volunteer teacher, a teacher assistant, and Roger Williams University student athlete volunteers.  The students may go to breakfast when activities are over.  2) Run Walk at Recess Club where volunteers keep track of the number of laps participants walk/run at recess.  Students are rewarded at the Student of the Month Assembly for every 5 mile mark.  Prizes range from “sneaker erasers” to T shirts funded by proceeds from the school store.  3) Family Fun and Fitness Night is an event that shows families how to be fit together and encourages healthy lifestyles.  4) ACES- All Children Exercising Simultaneously is hosted every 1st Wednesday in May with over 700 participants.  5)  Chance to Dance is offered to 4th and 5th graders before school every Friday and holds a performance with other participating schools at the Providence Performing Arts Center in May.  6)  Exercise Calendars are offered to every student.  Calendars give suggestions for activities and a place to check off daily exercise and activities. Parents sign the calendar before it is accepted for a 10 cent coupon to the school store.  The program is funded by proceeds from the school store, the parents group and a local grant.  The program has been successful in making a difference not only in student’s health and fitness but academically as well.  Teachers of ADHD, special needs and autistic students comment on how attentive the students are after Morning Exercise or the Walk/Run at Recess Club!

RI Department of Labor and Training -- Get Fit RI

Get Fit RI! is the State of Rhode Island’s employee wellness initiative.  The Department of Labor and Training’s overall wellness strategy is both creative and resourceful in its collaboration and fostering of partnerships to leverage resources and to optimize wellness opportunities for employees. The Department began its collaboration by participating in the Get Fit RI! state employees wellness initiative.  DLT hosted State Wellness Champions’ meetings for the first year and also developed an employee Wellness Need and Interest survey with an accompanying database to collect data, record responses, and provide survey results.  Programs and activities under the Get Fit RI! umbrella offered at DLT include Farmers Markets, Wellness Bulletins, Health Surveys, Yoga Classes, Stress Seminars, Core Training, Blood Drives, Seat Belt Awareness Program, Walking Club, Tobacco Cessation Interventions, Weight Watchers, Flu Shot Clinics, Nutrition Seminars and the Rhody Walk to Health.  DLT was the lead agency to establish a farmers’ market at the Pastore complex in Cranston.  Partnering with the Department of Environmental Management, and several other agencies in the complex, DLT organized the inter-departmental meetings, developed a memo of understanding among participating agencies and secured necessary approvals from the state properties committee.  DLT also partnered with URI, Johnson & Wales and UnitedHealthcare to offer nutritional, health-related resources and food demonstrations at weekly farmers’ markets.  By collaborating with other state organizations, DLT combined many skills and talents, leveraged resources and fostered a successful wellness environment.  Based on participation, evaluations and general feedback, programs have been highly successful and results indicate that employees are taking advantage of opportunities to improve their health.

Lefkowitz, Garfinkel, Champi & DeRienzo P.C. -- Got Health Initiative

LGC&D’s Got Health Initiative was a comprehensive and creative program offering interesting and practical activities that support employees in achieving and maintaining a healthier lifestyle.  It consisted of educational seminars, healthy choice recipe giveaways and activities designed to help employees learn about the benefits of choosing a healthier lifestyle.  The accounting firm of approximately 70 employees enjoys a busy work season each year between January and April where most employees work six days a week.  The Got Health Initiative developed interesting ways to keep employees engaged in their health during this time.  During this busy season, healthy lunches were provided on working Saturdays.  To help employees from reaching for a quick, unhealthy snack a Wellness Closet in the kitchen was stocked with healthy foods like dried fruit, granola, nuts and other low calorie/low fat snacks.  Occasionally on Saturdays massage therapists came in and the firm provided 15 minute chair massages to help employees relieve stress.  Other programs and activities included:  the Afternoon Stroll walking club; annual health assessment and contests such as the Steps contest in which pedometers were handed out to employees and the top three employees who accumulated the most steps over a one month period won a gift certificate to Foot Locker.  The firm’s wellness committee also maintains an Intranet website with stress relieving tips, healthy recipes and health tips and sends bi-weekly emails with health and wellness tips.