Dakota County's Statewide Health Improvement Partnership and HealthSource Solutions is hosting Worksite Wellness Collaborative meetings for 10 worksites in an 18-month worksite initiative between April 2023–September 2024. Worksites include businesses in Dakota County looking to improve wellness in their organization. Typically, preference is given to worksites employing between 25–500 employees.
Free tailored technical assistance is provided to help worksites achieve their goals.
New funding available for worksites
Recruitment for the next group of businesses has begun and will run through April 12, 2023 or until all 10 spots are filled. We encourage worksites to apply as early as possible. For more information on how your worksite can be involved in policy, systems and environmental change related to breastfeeding and lactation support contact Erin Ostrowski at erin.ostrowski@co.dakota.mn.us.
The focus of this collaborative will be on lactation support and within these efforts other well-being topics may be addressed as well including mental well-being, healthy eating, physical activity and tobacco cessation.
Partner with Dakota County and HealthSource Solutions to implement changes and receive startup funding to help continue your wellness initiatives. Applications will be accepted until all spots are filled and is determined by first-come, first-served basis.
Apply for Worksite Wellness
Ideal characteristics for a participating worksite:
- Has no wellness program in place or would like to enhance current program
- Employs between 25–500 employees
- Employs staff who are at higher risk for health disparities (older adults, low income or diverse workforce)
- Commits 1-3 hours monthly for primary contact
- Attends bout one collaborative per month (there will be built-in work months to focus on implementation)
- Is looking to enhance workplace policy and environment
- Has interest in creating a sustainable wellness program
Worksite wellness is good for business
The collaborative worksite wellness model guides worksites new to wellness initiatives through the development and implementation of policy, systems and environmental changes. Throughout the collaboration, Dakota County and their partnering consultant, HealthSource Solutions, provide technical assistance to workplaces by advising them on best practices in workplace wellness.
Worksites will each focus on lactation support and within these efforts may choose from several different strategy areas to work on as well, including:
- Mental well-being
- Tobacco cessation
- Healthy eating
- Physical activity
Foundational elements of wellness planning, like vision, leadership engagement, forming a wellness committee and creating a work plan all ensure the initiatives are sustainable in each environment.
Contracted participating worksites will receive:
- Resources for collaborative meetings, assessment tools and customized work plans.
- Free personalized technical assistance from a worksite wellness consultant.
- Networking opportunities to learn what other organizations are doing.
- A $1,500 stipend for participating and making policy, system and environmental changes in lactation support.
- One registration fee to the Midwest Health Promotion Conference in St. Paul in the fall 2023.