Vermont Business Magazine Howard Center has been awarded the 2023 Governor’s Excellence in Worksite Wellness – GOLD Level Award by the Vermont Department of Health and the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. This recognition highlights Howard Center's commitment to promoting health and wellness within the workplace.
Commending Howard Center's dedication to worksite wellness, Vermont Department of Health Commissioner Mark Levine expressed appreciation for the organization's efforts.
"We recognize there are many challenges employers face in ensuring the health and safety of their employees, and we thank you for making wellness a priority in the face of these challenges," Levine said.
Howard Center’s Healthy Living and Wellness Committee is made up of dedicated staff members who ensure their co-workers have access to wellness tools including free memberships to apps that promote mindfulness, meditation, sleep assistance, and fitness support; workshops with partners Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont and Invest EAP; and access to chiropractic and nutrition services.
Levine shared, “Wellness committees are key to the success of worksite wellness initiatives. We especially thank the outstanding individuals in your organization that serve on your wellness committee.”
Highlighting the significance of wellness committees, Commissioner Levine commended the exceptional individuals within Howard Center who serve on the committee, acknowledging their pivotal role in the success of the organization's worksite wellness initiatives.
Matt MacNeil, Director of Evaluation and Outcomes at Howard Center and Co-Chair of the employee-run wellness committee, noted the importance of supporting the workforce amid statewide shortages. "In the face of statewide workforce shortages, supporting our staff and the amazing work that they do has never been more important,” said MacNeil. “Our staff wellness committee is dedicated to ensuring everyone has access to self-care options that work best for them. We firmly believe that by taking care of our team members, we empower them to provide the best possible care and support to the individuals we serve."
As an agency, Howard Center remains devoted to fostering a healthy and supportive work environment, ensuring the well-being of its staff while providing exceptional care to the community it serves.
ABOUT HOWARD CENTER: Howard Center has a long and rich history as a trusted provider in the community. With a legacy spanning more than 150 years, we have been providing progressive, compassionate, high-quality care and supports to those in need. Today, we offer an array of exemplary mental health, substance use, and developmental services across the lifespan. As Vermont’s largest social service organization, our 1,600 staff help more than 19,000 people each year in over 60 locations throughout Vermont in collaboration with hundreds of community partners. Howard Center’s 24/7/365 crisis service, First Call for Chittenden County, is available to meet the needs of Chittenden County children, adults, and families in crisis by calling 802-488-7777. www.howardcenter.org. Help is here. A United Way of Northwest Vermont Funded Agency.
Source: 8.16.2023. Burlington, www.howardcenter.org
