New Matching Grant Program to Further Promote Healthy Living

To build on the momentum of the ChooseWell incentives and local wellness activities, the ChooseWell Matching Grant Program has been introduced to support employee wellness efforts in 2008.

The matching grant program is designed to increase the number of workplace wellness efforts that target weight loss, promote exercise or improve fitness levels. Managers may apply for grants of up to $1,000 to fund such wellness initiatives. In order to allocate dollars in an equitable fashion, grants will be awarded according to the number of employees in a work group.

Workplace wellness activities also offer a chance for employees to meet their individual goals for the new Choose2Act incentive, which will reward employees $75 for taking specific steps toward creating or maintaining a healthy lifestyle in 2008. Employees also are eligible for the $75 ChooseWell incentive by participating in a company WellFair and completing an online health risk assessment, and a chance to win one of three $1,000 awards.

To help guide employee wellness efforts for 2008, the following resources are available online:

• a menu of suggested activities which offers examples of previous local efforts
• a goal-setting document — which will also be distributed at WellFairs — to assist employees in meeting personal wellness goals

Grant applications must be submitted by May 30 by a manager or above. Applications will be reviewed by the ChooseWell Matching Grant Committee for approval. The review committee is made up of employees from Energy Delivery, Energy Services and Corporate, who will evaluate submitted programs and serve as advocates of the ChooseWell program.

If you have any further questions, contact Tanya Levine, Corporate Health & Safety Coordinator, 502-627-3150.