Park District earns state employee wellness award

From press release

The Rockford Park District has earned the No Employee Left Behind (NELB) award for 2010, one of four Illinois park and recreation agency recipients chosen by the Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) Health and Wellness Committee.

Applicants working toward obtaining the award underwent a stringent process that included an initial application, self-assessment, and evaluation. A wellness committee composed of three park and recreational professionals selected the winners, and awarded the Rockford Park District 35 points out of a possible 38 points.

The NELB program encompasses the six dimensions of wellness, working toward developing a well-balanced life from the inside out. The six dimensions are: Physical Activity, Social, Emotional, Intellectual, Spiritual and Environmental. The program promotes the importance of healthy employees, which has shown to result in a healthy agency with higher productivity, lower absenteeism, and numerous additional benefits. Among areas the award committee felt deserving of special commendation included the Rockford Park District’s Employee Morale Building and Positive Recognition, and Excellent Information Resources from Periodicals.

LoriKay Paden, IPRA Wellness Committee member, explained: “By dedicating the time to go through the self-assessment study, the review and compilation of materials, as well as the evaluation process, these winners have shown a commitment to their employees’ well-being. Their boards and staff should be congratulated on this achievement.”

Illinois is recognized as a leader in the parks, recreation, and conservation movement. IPRA is a not-for-profit organization and a public interest group whose members share the common goal of providing quality park and recreation opportunities for the people of Illinois.

The No Employee Left Behind award itself will be presented at the IPRA annual business meeting Friday, Jan. 29, at the Hilton Chicago.

For more information, contact IPRA at 630-376-1911 or visit www.ILipra.org.