Benefits
Administration Services continued its partnership with the Ohio
Department of Health in the promotion of Governor Bob Taft's wellness initiative,
Healthy Ohioans, during the biennium.
For example, the agencies sponsored four wellness fairs for state employees.
Health screenings were offered at the fairs as well as a variety of health-related
information.
In July 2001, 251 employees attended a fair at the Vern Riffe Center for Government
and the Arts. Another fair in September 2001 at the James A. Rhodes State
Office Tower attracted 410 employees. In October 2002, 203 employees attended
a fair at the Statehouse. Another 419 employees attended a fair in June 2003
at the central office of the Ohio Departments of Public Safety and Transportation.
A highlight of promotions each May included the Governor's Healthy Ohioans
Fitness Challenge in downtown Columbus. Forty-nine teams of state employees
participated with the governor in his first Fitness Challenge in 2002. Teams
competed in an obstacle course relay, a stationary bike race and a jump-rope
competition.
In 2003 the event grew to 67 teams of state employees as well as nine teams
representing the Healthy Ohioans Business Council. In addition to the stationary
bike race, teams also competed in a soccer ball dribble relay, three-legged
race and a basketball shoot-out.
This portion of the DAS eNewsCenter is for Human Resources Division customers.
| This article was reprinted from the 2002-2003 DAS Biennial Report. |