What is a workgroup?
The four areas the Steps program is focusing on are: communities, healthcare, schools and worksites. Each of these areas meets for workgroup meetings, the majority of which are monthly. Each workgroup has a facilitator who chairs the meeting and plans the agenda with the group. Having separate workgroups helps us to reach people interested in specific topics and areas while cutting down on any duplication of effort across groups. Together, the partners share information and resources in order to create better outcomes in our community.
The community and healthcare workgroups recently combined. This workgroup meets on the third Friday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at various facilities within our community. Different projects include a Diabetes Risk Assessment Survey and a media campaign focusing on diabetes prevention and education. There were 5,000 surveys printed to distribute to various groups to help identify people who may be at risk for diabetes. The Steps community/healthcare workgroup facilitators are Carol Diede from Columbia Valley Community Health and Judy Preston from Chelan Douglas Health District. The primary focus of this group is to bring healthcare/community agencies together, working in collaboration with one another to increase the knowledge, skills and tools available for local providers while dealing with the medical challenges that result from asthma, diabetes, obesity and tobacco use. This workgroup is comprised of people interested in the healthcare aspects of this project and currently consists of physicians, administrators, health educators, dietitians and nurses as well as representatives from local community agencies and organizations as well as individuals who are interested in the health and wellbeing of our community. Their next meeting is May 16, 2008 at the Wenatchee Valley Clinic in Conference Room #A.
The school workgroup generally meets once a month with the exception of the summer months when school is out. This workgroup has helped provide direction for Steps efforts in the schools and supports evidence-based “best practice” programs. It is a forum for sharing resources, highlighting “success stories” in our area, and providing speakers of interest. The Steps school workgroup is facilitated by JoEllen Colson. Team members include interested parents, PE teachers, the YMCA, Chelan-Douglas Together! For Drug Free Youth, classroom teachers, after-school coordinators, Chelan-Douglas Health District, school foodservice directors, and area dietitians.
The worksite workgroup meets on the third Thursday of each month at the Chamber of Commerce from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. This workgroup focuses on initiatives that improve nutrition, increase physical activity and decrease tobacco use in order to promote worksite wellness. Information and resources are shared on how to implement effective wellness programs and policies. The worksite workgroup is chaired by Shawn Mickle of Chelan Douglas Health District. Team members consist of local business representatives that are committed to healthy worksites. This year's "Healthiest Business Challenge" begins August 4, 2008 and ends November 16, 2008. Their next workgroup meeting is June 19, 2008 at the Chamber of Commerce located at 300 South Columbia Street in Wenatchee.
