Howard Center is pleased to announce that the Vermont Department of Health and the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports recently awarded Howard Center the 2021 Governor’s Excellence in Worksite Wellness – GOLD Level Award for the agency’s commitment to health and wellness in the workplace. This marks the second year in a row that Howard Center has received this honor.
HC4Me, Howard Center’s Healthy Living and Wellness Committee pivoted early on in the pandemic to ensure employees had access to innovative, on-line wellness options including, free online memberships to Headspace, an app that promotes mindfulness, meditation, and sleep assistance; Wellbeats a virtual on-demand fitness provider; workshops with partners Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont and Invest EAP; and access to Epic Wellness chiropractic and Whole Health Nutrition services. Howard Center employees are enthusiastic about the new health and wellness options. One employee noted “I personally love both Wellbeats and Headspace apps and am so grateful for my memberships”, and another added, “Thank you for keeping us going and keeping us healthy!”
Matt MacNeil, Howard Center’s Director of Evaluation and Outcomes and Chair of HC4Me, says, “The health and wellness of our employees is one of our main priorities. Our employees need to stay well and healthy so they may care for those in our community.”
With a staff of more than 1600 in 60+ locations, Howard Center is the state’s designated agency for Chittenden County and the largest community-based service agency in the state.