iWORKwell

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

In August 2007, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors authorized the Department of Health Services (DHS) to convene a health action council called “Health Action” to work on improving health and health care for all Sonoma County residents. Health Action’s over-arching mission is community health improvement. DHS recruited and convened a diverse, multidisciplinary group of key community leaders to identify priority health issues and to develop specific recommendations on local approaches to promote the health of the community. One of Health Action’s initial recommendations was to develop and implement a countywide Worksite Wellness Initiative (now called “iWORKwell” ) to educate local employers about the value and benefits of employer wellness programs, offer technical assistance, resources and support to employers to assist them in planning, implementing and sustaining wellness programming and to recognize employer successes and best practices in worksite wellness. In 2011, DHS, in partnership with the Sonoma County Economic Development Board (EDB), elevated worksite wellness in the community through the launch of the iWORKwell Healthy Business Recognition Program. The voluntary certification program recognizes employers for developing and implementing exceptional employee wellness programs.