The Arc Mercer hosted its bi-monthly Team Atmosphere Committee (TAC) Work Group meeting this December at the agency's headquarters on 180 Ewingville Road. Mission-critical staff from various departments gathered to discuss health and wellness initiatives, marking another productive session aimed at enhancing staff and consumer well-being.
The meeting was led by Brooke Baker, recently named Employee of the Year, from the Special Needs Day Program. Among the highlights was an exciting announcement from Bonnie Ridolfino, the agency’s Risk Management Specialist: beginning February 2025, Arc Mercer staff will have access to pet insurance. This initiative stems from prior staff feedback sessions where the interest in pet insurance was identified. A majority of respondents expressed a willingness to contribute toward insuring their pets, prompting the agency to develop two plan options, unveiled during the November TAC meeting. More information about enrollment and details will be available starting January 2025.
A Focus on Wellness
The meeting's primary focus was on health and wellness. Executive Director Steve Cook opened the discussion by asking staff, “Why is wellness important?” Responses from attendees emphasized longevity, personal health, and the benefits of wellness for both work and home life. However, the conversation soon turned to the importance of wellness for the individuals served by the Arc Mercer. Staff members passionately highlighted the desire to continue to develop health-focused programs tailored to consumers, showcasing their genuine commitment to the agency’s mission.
Steve Cook expressed his admiration for the staff, noting their selfless dedication to prioritizing consumers, even in discussions centered on their own well-being. He then steered the conversation back to staff wellness, underscoring the agency’s commitment to providing resources and initiatives that resonate with employees’ needs.
The agency posed three guiding questions to the work group:
What type of health and wellness activities are interesting to you?
Have you ever participated in a health and wellness program before?
If you had money designated only for health, what would you spend it on?
Collaborative Discussions and Innovative Ideas
Participants were divided into smaller groups representing residential, day programs, vocational teams, directors, and administrative staff to brainstorm ideas. Before the discussions began, Steve Cook reminded attendees, “Your feedback counts, your feedback matters. You’re driving the decisions on how we do things.”
The brainstorming sessions yielded a variety of creative and impactful suggestions, including:
Meditation and group exercise sessions
Funding for healthy groceries and exercise equipment
Mental health and emotional well-being activities, including access to counselors or life coaches
Yoga and group walks with consumers
Wellness challenges, such as weight loss programs
Staff and consumer collaborations across group homes for community-building activities
Intramural sports clubs involving both staff and consumers
Healthy snack stations at program locations
The leadership team was impressed by the staff’s innovative ideas and their consistent focus on integrating consumers into wellness initiatives.
Additional Resources and Closing
To close the session, the TAC distributed promotional materials from the Sister 2 Sister Organization, encouraging female staff to access free mammograms and receive a $10 ShopRite gift card as an incentive.
The meeting reinforced the Arc Mercer’s commitment to fostering a culture of wellness for staff and consumers alike. The agency looks forward to implementing new health and wellness programs in the upcoming year, driven by the passion and dedication of its mission-critical staff.
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