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Honoring companies who demonstrate a commitment to health and wellness innovation. Count Us In. COMMUNITY CONCEPTS: Recipient of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care's "Health Innovator Award" E mbracing the knowledge and expertise of their employees, Community Concepts has grown a variety of health initiatives into a full blown wellness program, significantly impacting their employees and clientele. For the second time in five years, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care recognizes Community Concepts with the Health Innovator Award for their long-term commitment to making wellness an integral part of their employees' benefits. Founded in 1965, Community Concepts is a Community Action Agency and a 501c(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide leadership, education and support services in central and western Maine to help residents meet immediate basic needs and move families out of poverty to self-sufficiency. With 247 employees, operating out of 21 locations, they meet their mission by helping children prepare for the future, building family stability and growth, providing home ownership and other housing opportunities, and stimulating economic and community development. With multiple locations, Community Concepts has had a variety of wellness programs in place for quite some time. Like many Maine companies, they were looking at rising health care costs, which initiated the combination of multiple small programs into a comprehensive wellness program for the whole company. That, along with their partnership with Harvard Pilgrim in 2009, created decreased annual renewal costs twice over six years. Their wellness program has seen more than 85% of total employees participating and getting involved. Community Concepts was awarded with Harvard Pilgrim's Health Innovator Award for the first time in 2011. They were two years into their partnership with Harvard Pilgrim and had made large strides in creating their wellness program. Ed Kane, Vice President, Maine at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, explains, "Community Concepts has been an incredible partner to Harvard Pilgrim and to the community at large. Over these last five years, we have watched and supported the evolution of their robust health and wellness offerings, and we are thrilled to recognize Community Concepts for a second time for making their staff's wellbeing a priority." "It's about small, achievable goals," explains Benefits and Wellness Manager, Diane Clairmont. "When people see progress, even small progress, they're more likely to continue." Community Concepts has implemented a unique challenge program for their employees, including a weight loss program called Weigh Up or Pay Up, monthly challenges to monitor sodium or water intake, and participation in local 5K race events. Community Concepts is taking a holistic approach to wellness with their Community Concepts, Inc. Go for The Gold, an Olympic style program with each ring symbolizing a part of well-being: physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and financial. Goals are set with six weeks given to complete. They also participate in two challenges annually in addition to their Health Risk Assessment, in which employees receive a wellness cash benefit deposited into an HSA or money off of their premium. In addition to their in-house programs, Community Concepts has utilized many Harvard Pilgrim programs to complement their wellness offerings. Every other year, Community Concepts hosts an Employee Staff Day utilizing wellness dollars from Harvard Pilgrim. This day features a variety of health related topics and demos including chair massages, mindfulness sessions, stress management lessons, stretching, sun exposure awareness, and healthy food shopping. Harvard Pilgrim has also offered education sessions during the company's Family Fun and Fitness Night event on several topics including healthy aging tips. Harvard Pilgrim also offers Community Concepts employees enrolled in their medical coverage an annual fitness reimbursement. Clairmont wants other companies considering a wellness program to know that it doesn't take a large budget to implement a successful program. Clairmont states, "Without the support of the company's leadership, it wouldn't have worked. Everyone on our executive team participated in our Weigh Up or Pay Up program, and with 95 participants we had more than 400 pounds total weight lost." Clairmont also explained that there are champions in each of their locations. "You have to encourage sharing among offices to create best practices," Clairmont explains. "We use knowledge, input, and expertise from employees across the organization to ensure our program is comprehensive." There have been numerous benefits to the organization from implementing their versatile health and wellness offerings. The combination of comradery and increased energy among the staff has boosted performance, which is beneficial in any work environment. Communication Manager, Will Fessenden, explains how far reaching the benefits have been. "Healthier employees allow us to better take care of our clients. They need stability, and the assurance that they will see the same people year after year. When our employees are healthy and at work each day, we can better serve our community." "We are thrilled to recognize Community Concepts for a second time for making their staff's wellbeing a priority." Ed Kane: Vice President, Maine at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Ed Kane, Harvard Pilgrim's vice president, Maine, second to far left, with employees of Community Concepts, left to right: Diane Clairmont, wellness manager; Will Fessenden, communications manager; Pam Thomas, wellness committee member; Shelby DeCato, wellness champion; Susan Hanley, director of human resources; Clarice Proctor, wellness committee member; Katie Roy, wellness champion; Eric Ross, wellness committee member

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