Wellness support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Fear and anxiety are normal reactions to a very abnormal situation. We are all better at managing stress when we stay connected with our friends and people we love. Stay connected on the phone or internet. Take care of your health by eating well, exercising and doing activities that you take pleasure in. Stay informed, but take breaks from reading or watching coverage about the virus.
While we all need to stay informed, it can be upsetting to hear about the crisis and see images repeatedly. Balance information
with activities you enjoy. Additional resources include:
While we all need to stay informed, it can be upsetting to hear about the crisis and see images repeatedly. Balance information
with activities you enjoy. Additional resources include:
- The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides free and confidential counseling and referral services to all benefits eligible NWRESD employees and their dependents.
- See our the wellness resources in our Remote Work Handbook for working during the pandemic.
- 211info connects people with health and social service organizations, including child care and other services that might be helpful during this stressful event. They are also available to answer questions about your COVID-19 concerns (e.g. What do I do if I think I was exposed to COVID-19? I’m sick. Should I be tested?, etc.)
- The CDC also has advice to help you manage your stress.
- See these tips for maintaining your mental health while working remotely (from the American Psychiatric Association Foundation's Center for Workplace Mental Health)
Wellness Council members for the 2020-21 school year are:
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Margaret Brown (Facilitator, Washington)
Amie Brown (Tillamook) Melissa Buchanan (Washington) Katie Cope (Washington) Jillynn Garcia (Washington) Angie Harrington (Clatsop) Remy Icenogle (Columbia) Cathy Jensen (Washington) Kim Lyon (Tillamook) Megan Snow (Washington) Tera Van Dyke (Washington) |
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Need equipment for your staff wellness activity? Apply for a grant.
The Wellness Council offers staff wellness grants of up to $250 for any staff member or group of staff members who have a staff wellness-related project. Examples of past projects include yoga equipment, distance markers and quiet zone and mediation area supplies. Please note, because of ethical considerations, memberships or subscriptions might not be approved.
Congratulations to Melissa Buchanan and Otis Heavenrich for receiving a wellness grant in the spring of 2020.
Melissa, who works as the Technology Service Promotion Specialist for the Cascade Technology Alliance, will purchase a yoga ball, simply fit board and core balance disk for staff to check out.
Otis, a Speech-Language Pathologist in Clatsop County, plans to host a running/walking competition for staff and provide the winners with gift cards to Astoria Co-op and Gimre's Shoes.
Grant submission dates for the 2020-21 school year will be posted in September.
Congratulations to Melissa Buchanan and Otis Heavenrich for receiving a wellness grant in the spring of 2020.
Melissa, who works as the Technology Service Promotion Specialist for the Cascade Technology Alliance, will purchase a yoga ball, simply fit board and core balance disk for staff to check out.
Otis, a Speech-Language Pathologist in Clatsop County, plans to host a running/walking competition for staff and provide the winners with gift cards to Astoria Co-op and Gimre's Shoes.
Grant submission dates for the 2020-21 school year will be posted in September.
All counties
Healthy commuting encouraged
Staff are encouraged to bike, walk, run, take the bus (see the entry below about pretax TriMet passes), etc. to work when possible. Bike racks are available at most NWRESD sites. All sites have bike racks except Columbia, Cascade and Pacific Academies, Levi Anderson and Clatsop and Columbia service centers. Please speak with your supervisor if you work at one of these locations and want to bike to work. It's possible you will be able to find an inside location to store it.
For staff who are looking for ways to stay safe while driving, please see the healthy commuting resource list >>
Financial wellness
Financial wellness is an important part of overall wellness. We want all staff to feel supported as they save for the future, including retirement. We offer financial wellness workshops throughout the year at sites around the region. Check the county listings above for current opportunities. There are also several online resources. The Oregon Growth Savings Plan offers a variety of resources to meet your needs. See Oregon Growth Savings Plan offerings >>
Pretax TriMet passes available to all NWRESD staff members
All NWRESD staff members are eligible to purchase pretax TriMet passes to commute to work. TriMet includes MAX light rail trains, WES commuter rail trains, Portland streetcars and C-TRAN services, including C-TRAN Express. Please email Payroll Manager Pam Voss for more information. Learn more about this benefit >>
School Employee Wellness Conference
The Oregon Education Association Choice Trust sponsors a School Employee Wellness Conference in March during Spring Break. The conference is free, and staff are eligible to use conference funds to cover mileage, meals and lodging. Please talk with your supervisor if you are interested. Learn more about the conference >>
Walking meetings encouraged
All staff are encouraged to hold walking meetings when possible.
Wellness programs through insurance
Moda Health and Kaiser Permanente offer several programs for issues such as chronic diseases management, depression and stress, diabetes prevention and management, diet and exercise, health assessments, sleep management, tobacco cessation and weight management. Learn more about these programs >>
Weight Watchers (now called WW "Wellness that works") available through insurance
Anyone enrolled in an OEBB medical plan can enroll in a 13-week session at NO COST (age restrictions might apply to children), either with AtWork Meetings, Community Meetings or OnlinePlus. Those who maintain participation requirements could qualify for up to four 13- week sessions per plan year.
(Weight Watchers is based on the philosophy that successful weight loss is achieved through the attainment of a series of realistic goals. The program incorporates healthy eating, physical activity, behavior modification, and for those who attend meetings, a supportive atmosphere.)
Healthy commuting encouraged
Staff are encouraged to bike, walk, run, take the bus (see the entry below about pretax TriMet passes), etc. to work when possible. Bike racks are available at most NWRESD sites. All sites have bike racks except Columbia, Cascade and Pacific Academies, Levi Anderson and Clatsop and Columbia service centers. Please speak with your supervisor if you work at one of these locations and want to bike to work. It's possible you will be able to find an inside location to store it.
For staff who are looking for ways to stay safe while driving, please see the healthy commuting resource list >>
Financial wellness
Financial wellness is an important part of overall wellness. We want all staff to feel supported as they save for the future, including retirement. We offer financial wellness workshops throughout the year at sites around the region. Check the county listings above for current opportunities. There are also several online resources. The Oregon Growth Savings Plan offers a variety of resources to meet your needs. See Oregon Growth Savings Plan offerings >>
Pretax TriMet passes available to all NWRESD staff members
All NWRESD staff members are eligible to purchase pretax TriMet passes to commute to work. TriMet includes MAX light rail trains, WES commuter rail trains, Portland streetcars and C-TRAN services, including C-TRAN Express. Please email Payroll Manager Pam Voss for more information. Learn more about this benefit >>
School Employee Wellness Conference
The Oregon Education Association Choice Trust sponsors a School Employee Wellness Conference in March during Spring Break. The conference is free, and staff are eligible to use conference funds to cover mileage, meals and lodging. Please talk with your supervisor if you are interested. Learn more about the conference >>
Walking meetings encouraged
All staff are encouraged to hold walking meetings when possible.
Wellness programs through insurance
Moda Health and Kaiser Permanente offer several programs for issues such as chronic diseases management, depression and stress, diabetes prevention and management, diet and exercise, health assessments, sleep management, tobacco cessation and weight management. Learn more about these programs >>
Weight Watchers (now called WW "Wellness that works") available through insurance
Anyone enrolled in an OEBB medical plan can enroll in a 13-week session at NO COST (age restrictions might apply to children), either with AtWork Meetings, Community Meetings or OnlinePlus. Those who maintain participation requirements could qualify for up to four 13- week sessions per plan year.
(Weight Watchers is based on the philosophy that successful weight loss is achieved through the attainment of a series of realistic goals. The program incorporates healthy eating, physical activity, behavior modification, and for those who attend meetings, a supportive atmosphere.)
