Health Links™ has officially launched its initiative in Eagle County to help small and large businesses set up and scale workplace wellness programs in order to improve the health, safety and well-being of Colorado workers and the economy. Healthy Links recently expanded $110,000 in seed funding to qualified businesses in Eagle County starting April 15th, available on a first come, first serve basis.
Health Links™ recently recognized their first certified Healthy Business in Eagle County, the Vail Vitality Center. “Wellness programs add value to the workplace supporting employees in being happy and healthy and creating a culture with their needs in mind. You can’t put a dollar figure on this. It’s priceless,” said Jeff Morgan, Director of the Vail Vitality Center.
Chris Romer from Vail Valley Partnership agrees, “Little changes can mean a lot, and employers that take real steps to look after the wellbeing of their employees have a leg up in hiring and retaining quality employees.” Vail Valley Partnership is a Health Links Partner and provides members with discounted access to the Health Links Healthy Business Certification.”
Health Links has three major components aimed at promoting healthy workplaces: advising, certification and connecting businesses to local resources and providers. Eagle County’s partnership with Health Links was made possible by the efforts of the Healthy Communities Coalition, a group of residents and business representatives that are working to advance the health and wellness of our communities.
Health Links also offers local advising and a network of local resources to businesses that participate. “Local coordinators and partners are the cornerstone of this program,” says Lili Tenney, Co-Founder of Health Links™. “Our team brings evidence-based ideas and technical assistance, but it’s really the businesses that know what will work best in their business culture.” Already twenty-six local advisors have been trained in Eagle County and are ready to support organizations to ‘bring wellness to work.’ Seed funding is eligible for the smallest employers (2-49) who often lack common challenges for getting health and wellness programs started. “We’re investing in Eagle County because we have established strong relationships within the community and have the support in place to really make a difference in improving health and well-being through employers,” Tenney says.
Eagle County small and large businesses can apply to meet with an advisor to start or improve their own workplace wellness and safety programs. Health Links will assist them in starting their programs and connect them to other businesses and vendors that will help them succeed. Businesses can find application directions at www.healthlinkscolorado.org.
Additionally, Colorado businesses that already have wellness and safety programs have the opportunity to apply for Health Links certification, which will grant them access to a Healthy Business Network and vendors that also prioritize employee health and safety.
“We look forward to seeing how Health Links can help Colorado’s employees achieve personal health and the state’s small businesses reach financial success,” Health Links Co-Founder Dr. Lee Newman said. “Furthermore, as employers start to learn more about the Affordable Care Act, it will be important for them to understand how wellness not only benefits their employees but also their bottom lines in shifting the trend lines of health costs.”