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A HEALTH & WELLNESS PROMOTION PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

AND THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT THEM

The Regional Collaborative on Health & Wellness Columbia, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga,

Schenectady and Schoharie Chapters of NYSARC, Inc.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Topic Page #

Background Overview & Objectives 3

Section I: STEPS TO WELLNESS 5

The Program Step I: Selecting a Mentor/Buddy 6

Step II: Assessing Personal Health and Interest 7

Step III: Developing an Individualized Goal & Action Plan 8

Step IV: Participating in a Formal Training Program 15

Step V: Selecting Goals and Measuring Progress 18

Step VI: Challenging Yourself and Others 22

Step VII: Recognizing and Rewarding Your Efforts 24

Section II: HELPFUL LINKS 26

Organizational Support 26

The Regional Collaborative on Health & Wellness 26

Resources 28

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BACKGROUND Welcome to the Wellness Together Health and Wellness Promotion Booklet designed to help you jump start your Wellness program! Within these pages, you’ll find guidelines, instructions, samples and examples of programs and curricula to help you become engaged with wellness and support individuals with developmental disabilities with their wellness goals!

Preventative health care has been an integral part of the health care system for many years. Unfortunately, preventative health care education for the intellectual and developmental disability population has been sorely lacking. Until now. Many programs, such as wellness coaching, exercise classes, nutrition education and smoking cessation classes are being developed and successfully implemented within this population.

Seven chapters of NYSARC, Inc. have joined to form a Regional Collaborative on Health & Wellness, which is committed to improving the wellness and health outcomes of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through education and mentoring. This collaboration fosters a complete culture change whereby both the individuals we serve and those that provide these services benefit.

The Wellness Together program, a health and wellness program for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is designed and created by the Regional Collaborative on Health and Wellness. We hope that you find these materials valuable and, more importantly, they assist you in improving the health outcomes of the individuals that you support.

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OVERVIEW The Wellness Together booklet provides the structure, guidance and tools to organize and implement a Health and Wellness program. The program uses one-to-one coaching and mentoring to promote participation in this evidence-based learning program.

The cornerstone of Wellness Together is that no one has to do it alone. Studies show that people who engage in a health regime with a partner are more likely to succeed in their health and wellness goals. With the help of coaches, mentors and buddies, each person has the support and encouragement they need to adopt a healthier lifestyle and successfully embark on the journey to wellness.

OBJECTIVES• Support people with developmental and intellectual disabilities to adopt healthier lifestyles• Develop and implement a mentor/buddy system to provide support for individuals• Learn how to perform a personal health assessment to develop individualized goal(s) and action plan• Provide resources that demonstrate different ways to effectively work on a variety of health goals• Learn how to measure progress in achieving health goals• Select from various wellness curricula• Develop and implement games, activities and challenges that make wellness fun • Reward participation• Implement wellness commitment and leadership within the organization

DID YOU KNOW?Adults with developmental disabilities have low fitness levels, a high incidence of obesity and tend to live sedentary lives. (Heller et al., 2004)*

This can change with the right supports.

*Tamar Heller, Kelly Hsieh, and James H. Rimmer (2004) Attitudinal and Psychosocial Outcomes of a Fitness and Health Education Program on Adults With Down Syndrome. American Journal on Mental Retardation: March 2004, Vol. 109, No. 2, pp. 175-185.

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SECTION 1:STEPS TO WELLNESS

Step I: Selectinga mentor or

buddy

Step II: Assessing

personal health and interest

Step III:Developing an individualized goal & action

plan

Step IV: Participating in

a formal training program

Step V: Selecting goals and measuring progress

Step VI: Challenging yourself and with others

Step VII: Recognizing and rewarding your

efforts

24-Week program cycles supported by a Mentor

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STEP I: SELECTING A MENTOR/WELLNESS PARTNEREach individual who wishes to participate selects a mentor/buddy to support them through the program. A mentor/buddy may support more than one person.

WHAT IS A MENTOR/WELLNESS PARTNER?• A mentor/wellness partner is someone who is interested in helping an individual make healthy

changes while making healthy changes in their own life, too. This includes helping develop wellness goals and fill out the Personal Health and Interest Assessment tool. Once this is done, the mentor will lead discussions on program options to support their wellness partner to meet their goals.

• Some ways a mentor/wellness partner can support someone in reaching their goals is to attend exercise classes with their wellness partner and exercise with them. A mentor can also help their wellness partner research and buy an exercise tape and then exercise with them at their home. A mentor helps their wellness partner track and lead discussions about their progress.

• For instance, if your wellness partner’s goal is to stop smoking, you, as their mentor, will help them get information about how to quit and track their progress in meeting this goal. If you are a smoker, you may want to set an example by joining the program, too.

• A wellness goal is not always losing weight, eating better or stopping smoking. It can be to simply feel better. As a mentor, you would help your wellness partner discover what that means for them. Maybe it is going to church more often or socializing with a special friend they had lost contact with. Here the mentor would help their wellness partner make a plan on how to get to church and track how that plan is working and make changes as need.

• Wellness means many different things to people. Part of being a mentor is helping your wellness partner discover what wellness means to them.

• Mentors are committed to daily interaction with their buddies, listening to and providing encouragement in obtaining their buddies’ wellness goals as well as setting an example by taking steps to improve their own wellness. This requires a commitment to not only a wellness partner of six months but also to yourself. And you are BOTH worth it!

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STEP II: ASSESSING PERSONAL HEALTH AND INTERESTThe mentor/coach has a conversational/motivational meeting with his/her wellness partner to:1. Discuss the program2. Complete the Personal Health and Interest Assessment (PHIA)3. Assist his/her buddy in selecting their wellness goal(s) using the PHIA

Be Active

Eat Healthy

Manage Stress

Be Tobacco Free

Printed Name: ________________________________________________ Date of Birth:_____________________________________ Below - Please check any that apply and fill in number of times/minutes if applicable

I take a walk for ____ minutes____ times a week.

I work, play a sport, do an exercise program or an activity I enjoy for ____ minutes ___ times a week.

Please list your current activities:

___________________________

I watch TV/Videos/Games or spend time on the computer ___ hours per day.

When do you like to be active? (check any that apply)

Morning Mid-day EveningsWeekdays Weekends

I eat fruit ___times per day.

I eat vegetables ___ times per day.

I eat fast food meals ____ times per week.

I eat snacks ____ times per day.

Please list types of snacks:

_______________________

I drink sugary drinks (soda, juice) ___ times per day.

I eat when I am not hungry out of habit, boredom or because of my feelings.

The way I feel kept me from doing my usual activity ____ times in the past week.

Feelings (sadness, stress, anxiety) affected my happiness ____times in the past week.

I participated in a spiritual or community activity that made me feel good about myself ___times in the past week.

I get 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night.

Poor sleep affected the way I feel ____times in the past week.

I do not smoke.

I do not chew tobacco.

I smoke ____ times a day.

I chew____ times a day.

I am trying to quit or cut down.

I see a Doctor _____ times a year.

As far as Being Active, Eating Healthy, Managing Stress, and Being Tobacco Free where are you? (choose one)

No changes needed. Ready to make a change. Willing but would like a partner or group. Not sure I am ready to make a change but willing to talk about it. Not interested in making a change at this time.

Do you want to? (check any that apply) Lose Weight Eat Better Feel Better Be More Active Sleep Better Learn to Manage Stress Other, explain: ____________________________________

What areas are you most concerned about?

Physical Activity Diet/Nutrition Stress Tobacco Use/Smoking Sleep Other (If you select other please describe):

_____________________________________

Have you discussed your concern(s) with your Doctor? Yes No

What activities would you like to do? _____________________________________

What would help you make a change? (Check any that apply) Prizes Contest Awards Team New Clothes Support System Feeling Good Taking less medication Other (please explain)______________________________________

What makes it hard for you to do healthy things? (Check any that apply) The Cost No energy Need support or equipment Don’t know how It is hard to do Lack of Time No motivation Don’t care Time/Location Other (please explain)______________________________________

Date: Signature:

Wellness Together Personal Health & Interest Assessment (PHIA)

PERSONAL HEALTH & INTEREST ASSESSMENT (PHIA)

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STEP III: DEVELOPING AN INDIVIDUALIZED GOAL & ACTION PLANWith the guidance found in the following Tips Sheets, the mentor supports their buddy in developing an individualized Goal and Action Plan.

Wellness Goals

Lose Weight

Feel Better

Sleep Better

Eat Better

Be More Active

Stop Smoking

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WELLNESS GOAL: LOSE WEIGHTAccording to the National Institute of Health, reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is important for overall health. It can help prevent and control many diseases and conditions. If you are overweight, you are at higher risk of developing serious health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, gallstones, breathing problems and certain cancers. That is why obtaining and maintaining a healthy weight is so important: It helps you lower your risk for developing these problems, helps you feel good about yourself and gives you more energy to enjoy life.

Self Evaluation: Track weight weekly

Suggested Curriculum: Health Matters™; HealthMessages™

Strategies & Activities to lose weight:

• Set a goal: Set long- as well as short-term goals - not just how much weight you want to lose overall but how much you want to lose this month, how you want to increase activity and how you want to change your food choices. REWARD yourself (not with food) when you meet a goal. Buy those shoes you have been wanting, go to a ball game you have been wanting to go to, etc.

• Learn about proper grocery shopping, food choices and portion control: Don’t shop when you are hungry, plan your meals and snacks ahead of time and make a list of what you need so that you do not buy things you do not need. Pick whole foods rather than processed foods and use a scale and measuring cups until you know what a serving size is.

• Take part in activities that involve movement (exercise): Go for a walk with a friend, put the music on and dance in the house, join a gym, take an exercise class that interests you, play the Wii, join a bowling group or walk in place while watching TV rather than sitting on the couch. Keep active 30 - 60 minutes each day.

• Support each other: Sometimes it helps to have someone join with you and you can support each other. Keep a log of what you are eating to help keep you on track or talk to a friend when you are having a hard day sticking with the changes you are trying to make.

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WELLNESS GOAL: FEEL BETTERSelf-esteem is a term used to reflect a person’s overall emotional evaluation of their own worth. It is a judgment of oneself as well as an attitude toward oneself. Self-esteem encompasses beliefs and emotions such as pride, triumph, despair and shame. Positive self-esteem leads to feelings to of wellness and feeling better! Stress is what you feel when you have to handle more than usual. Stress is a physical, mental and emotional response to our life’s changes and demands. Some stress is normal and even useful. It can help if you need to work hard or react quickly. But if stress happens too often or lasts too long, it can have bad effects. The good news is that you can learn ways to manage stress. The best way to handle stress is to learn healthy coping skills. Stress-relief techniques focus on relaxing your mind and your body!

Self Evaluation: “How do I feel?” survey completed annually

Suggested Curriculum: HealthMessages™; My Health, My Choice, My Responsibility™

Strategies & Activities to feel better:

• Dance/Movement/Music - Skiing, bowling, hiking, gardening, basketball, working out at the YMCA, walking group, swimming, Tae Kwon Do, Tai Chi, yoga, horseback riding, Special Olympics, singing group, participating in a band, acting club, drum circle, poetry club, dance club, kite flying club, fishing group and sports teams

• Arts and Crafts - Art classes, painting, ceramics, sculpture, paper making, jewelry making, torn paper collage, flower arranging, formal art shows and exhibits, stamp art, photography, screenprintin and found object art

• Independence in Daily Living - Cooking, personal enhancement, housekeeping, health management, phone usage, travel training and money management

• Stress Management – Visiting a spa-like environment, meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, religion, board game club, puzzles, reminiscing group, journaling group, walking, reading, poetry, men’s group, women’s group, caring for pets and animals, focusing on the present

• Vocational/Pre-vocational – Employment and volunteer opportunities in community

• Travel/Community/Social - Planning and going on vacation, joining community groups such as the Red Hat Society, Flannel Shirt Club, book club, Weight Watchers, nutrition group, drama club and photography club

• Self-Advocacy – Participating in self-advocacy groups, taking on leadership roles in the organization, peer mentoring, participating in training and recruitment of employees, being recognized for accomplishments

Remember, practice makes perfect and practicing new habits — healthy habits — will make you perfectly healthy!

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WELLNESS GOAL: SLEEP BETTERSleep is the natural state of rest during which your eyes are closed and you become unconscious (unaware). The average adult needs 7-9 hours of sleep each night and may need more during periods of illness or stress. Sleep is important because it keeps you in good health; prevents illness and injury; helps you focus and think well; and keeps your body functioning in top form physically, mentally and spiritually.

Self Evaluation: Track the number of hours of sleep each night

Suggested Curriculum: Health Matters™

Strategies & Activities to sleep better:

• Physical Activity - Participate in at least 30 minutes of physical activity, preferably an activity that causes you to sweat, no less than 3-4 hours before bed. These activities include, but are not limited to: walking, basketball, swimming, dancing, bowling, skiing or riding a bike.

• Diet - Avoid caffeine, especially after 3pm. Avoid eating a large meal at the end of the day. Limit the amount of fluids you drink after dinner. A snack high in carbs with milk may help INDUCE sleep. A high protein snack may PREVENT sleep.

• Environmental - Avoid noise, lights and TV in your bedroom at night. Avoid extremes in temperature, cooler is better. Develop ways to cope with stress.

• Establish a routine - Develop a good bedtime routine which allows your body to calm down between activities of the day and going to sleep. Take a hot bath/shower, use aromatherapy (lavender works well), listen to relaxing music, read, etc. Another good routine is to go to bed and get up at the same time every day.

• Self-Advocacy - Talk to your health care provider about sleeping difficulties if the above don’t help.

Remember, practice makes perfect and practicing new habits - healthy habits - will make you perfectly healthy!

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WELLNESS GOAL: EAT BETTEREating good foods every day will help you to be the best person that you can be. Eating healthy will give you energy to get through the day and help you to feel good about yourself.

Self Evaluation: Track the number of servings of fruits /vegetables eaten each day

Suggested Curriculum: Health Matters™; HealthMessages™; Cooking Classes

Strategies & Activities to eat better:

• Nutrition Classes - Classes either taught by trained staff, clinician, nurse or by a community expert in a variety of nutrition topics such as heart healthy eating, low fat food, healthy snacks, foods that reduce cholesterol, etc.

• Cooking Classes - Classes that teach basic cooking skills as well as focus on learning about different types of foods, different cultures and different preparation methods as well as learning heart healthy ways to cook favorite foods.

• Recipe revision - Learning how to adapt recipes from unhealthy to healthy and delicious.

• Weight Watchers: Participation in Weight Watchers or similar groups will allow individuals to focus on healthy eating choices.

• Wellness Challenges: Participation in Wellness challenges and contests enhance learning and awareness of healthy eating habits.

Remember, practice makes perfect and practicing new habits - healthy habits - will make you perfectly healthy!

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WELLNESS GOAL: BE MORE ACTIVEBeing more active involves moving around or doing an activity, not resting or sleeping. Exercise and physical activity are great ways to feel better by controlling weight, combatting health conditions and diseases, improving mood, boosting energy and improving sleep.

Self Evaluation: Track the number of minutes of physical activity daily. Strive for at least 30 minutes every day.

Suggested Curriculum: Health Matters™; HealthMessages™; Personal Training; Instructor Led Exercise Class

Strategies & Activities to be more active:

• Stretching - to increase flexibility and allow for easier movement: yoga, pilates, Tai Chi, Tae Kwon Do and DVDs

• Strengthening Exercises - to build bone density and strengthen muscles: climbing stairs, dumbbells, resistance bands, weight machines, circuit training and gym classes

• Balance Exercises - to reduce the risk of falling: Tai Chi, yoga, practice standing on one foot, then try the other, if possible, without holding onto a support

• Just Move - walking, biking, swimming, playing Wii, hiking, acting, singing, art club, tennis, horseback riding, bowling, dancing, routine housework, grocery shopping, fishing, basketball, baseball, skiing, jumping rope, gardening, playing sports, exercise with home equipment and DVDs, join a recreational league and volunteer

• Wear a Pedometer - counts the number of steps that you take each day. Aim for at least 10,000 steps each day, but any increase is likely to bring health benefits.

• Exercise with a Partner - your partner can act as a coach, motivator and conscience, as well as someone to talk to during exercise. Exercising with a partner can keep you motivated and helps time pass more quickly. The partner can give you the extra push on a day when you are not motivated.

Remember, practice makes perfect and practicing new habits - healthy habits - will make you perfectly healthy!

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WELLNESS GOAL: STOP SMOKINGTobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Annually, one in five deaths is attributed to smoking cigarettes. Smoking-related diseases claim an estimated 443,000 American lives each year, including those affected indirectly, such as babies born prematurely due to prenatal maternal smoking and victims of “secondhand” exposure to tobacco’s carcinogens. Adults with disabilities are more likely to smoke cigarettes than adults without disabilities. According to CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Report, an estimated 19.0% of U.S. adults were current cigarette smokers in 2011. Cigarette smoking was significantly higher among those who reported having any disability (25.4%) compared to those who reported having no disability (17.3%). The higher prevalence of smoking among adults with disabilities means that this population is at increased risk of death and disease.

Self Evaluation: Smoking/Tobacco-Use information from Personal Health and Interest Assessment completed annually

Suggested Curriculum: Health Matters™, HealthMessages™, Support Groups, On-line and State Resources

Strategies & Activities to stop smoking:

1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) is a free telephone support service that can help individuals who want to stop smoking or using tobacco. Callers are routed to their state quit lines, where they have access to several types of quit information and services, including:• Free support, advice and counseling from experienced quitline coaches• A personalized quit plan• Practical information on how to quit, including coping strategies• The latest information about medications• Free or discounted medications (available for at least some callers in most U.S. states)• Referrals to other resourceshttp://www.nysmokefree.com/ - Provides information and support solutions about quitting smoking, including local support groups and access to nicotine replacement products.Nicotine Replacement Products • Over-the-counter (nicotine patch, which is also available by prescription, gum, lozenge)• Prescription (nicotine patch, inhaler, nasal spray)• Prescription non-nicotine medications: bupropion SR (Zyban®), varenicline tartrate (Chantix®)

Evidence shows that access to comprehensive tobacco control programs can reduce smoking rates, tobacco-related deaths and diseases caused by smoking.

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STEP IV: PARTICIPATING IN A FORMAL TRAINING PROGRAMThe Collaborative recommends three curriculums that the member organizations have found to be successful and easy to implement. It is important for each person on a journey to wellness to learn and use proven strategies for success.

HEALTH MATTERS™: exercise and nutrition health

education curriculum for people with developmental disabilities healthmattersprogram.org

MY HEALTH, MY CHOICE, MY RESPONSIBILITY™:

An eight session curriculum-based training program to train

adults with developmental disabilities to become health

self-advocates ngsd.org/news/my-health-my-

choice-my-responsibility

HEALTHMESSAGES™:A twelve week peer to peer

health program for people with disabilities and their mentors healthmattersprogram.org/

healthmessages.html

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HEALTHMESSAGES™The HealthMessages™ Program was developed in the Department of Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In the Peer to Peer: HealthMessages™ Program Healthy Lifestyle Coaches are peer educators who share health messages with individuals who are close in age and have common interests.

Through HealthMessages™ wristbands and corresponding weekly booklets, peers are given a health message and are encouraged to “Get Ready,” “Take Charge” and “Pass it On.” This program provides tools for the coaches to increase their confidence and knowledge by being peer health coaches, supporting their peers in setting wellness goals.

healthmattersprogram.org/healthmessages.html

HEALTH MATTERSThe Health Matters curriculum was developed through the Rehabilitation Research Training Center on Aging with Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Disability and Human Development at the University of Illinois at Chicago. A research-based, field-tested program that’s already made a dramatic difference in the lives of participants with disabilities, this proven curriculum has 59 one-hour sessions that help people make the best choices about health, exercise and nutrition.

Wellness Together-trained instructors will facilitate sessions for the participant and their mentor. Each of the member organizations have trained instructors.

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MY HEALTH, MY CHOICE, MY RESPONSIBILITY

My Health, My Choice, My Responsibility is an eight-session program to train adults with developmental disabilities to become health self-advocates. Each session covers a health area with the focus on making healthy choices in daily life and speaking up for good health.

My Health, My Choice, My Responsibility emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy in health and wellness areas. Both a trainer and a self-advocate trainer facilitate the program. Participants are those who have an interest in their own health and wellness and have the desire to speak up for themselves.

nymyway.org/Howto/Health_Choice_Responsibility.html

A self-directed learning and health promotion iPad app is available for this training curriculum through AbleLink Technologies. It can be downloaded via iTunes.

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STEP V: SELECTING GOALS AND MEASURING PROGRESSBased on the information discussed while completing the Personal Health & Interest Assessment, the mentor/coach supports his or her buddy in developing an individualized goal, selecting activities that will support the attainment of the goal and ways to measure progress. An Action Plan is then developed. Progress is measured via pre- and post- goal related measures, regular coaching sessions and use of HealthMessages™ bracelets.

ACTION PLAN

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SUGGESTED GOAL-RELATED ACTIVITIES

Pre- & post- measures for each participant (24-week program cycles)• BMI• Cholesterol• Blood pressure• Smoking• “How Do I Feel” survey• Physical activity – develop individualized measure• Demographic data: age, gender, height, number of individuals participating in each goal area

Future Item:Aggregate cost of medications to treat targeted conditions

HealthMessages™ Bracelets for participation and/or attainment of short-term goals Personal wellness journal with progress card

MEASURING PROGRESS

•Cooking classes•Shopping

assistance•Nutrition•Vegetable

garden•Drink more

water

Eat Better

•Yoga•Stress

management•Helping others•Aromatherapy•Positive attitude

Feel Better

•Weight loss group

•Walking club•Drinking water•Tai Chi

Lose Weight

•Relaxation exercises

•Activities like art, yoga, etc.

•Meditation•Limit caffeine•Music

Sleep Better

•Exercise classes•Walking club•Sports•Hiking•Exercise with a

buddy

Be More Active

•Smoking cessation class

•Nicotine patch•Set a quit date•Enlist support

Stop Smoking

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SAMPLE INDIVIDUAL WELLNESS SCHEDULE

SAMPLE WELLNESS PROGRESS CHART

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Name: _____________________ Date: ________

All questions are to be answered with Yes or No. Please read the questions and circle your answers.

1. My life is on the right track. Yes No2. I feel I have choices in what happens in my life. Yes No3. When I think about my life I feel happy. Yes No4. I feel good about my appearance. Yes No5. It is hard for me to relax because I worry a lot. Yes No6. I cannot think of anything good to say about myself. Yes No7. I don’t feel that I am successful. Yes No8. I try to take good care of my health. Yes No9. I feel nervous when I am talking to people. Yes No10. I am happy being me. Yes No

Each correct answer is worth 1 point

Scoring Guide

“HOW DO I FEEL” SURVEY

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STEP VI: CHALLENGING YOURSELF AND OTHERS Each organization develops games, activities and challenges to make wellness fun and exciting. Individuals participating in these activities receive rewards and incentives.

AN EXAMPLE OF A FUN CHALLENGE

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FACEBOOK PAGE

Wellness Together’s Facebook page is a fun way of being part of a community that is on a similar journey to health and wellness. It is also a tool to share ideas and resources and recognize achievements.https://www.facebook.com/wellnesstogethercollaborative

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STEP VII: RECOGNIZING AND REWARDING YOUR EFFORTSIt is important to give rewards and and offer incentives as a wayt to recognize the attainment of goals and completion of challenges.

Joe recently completed the Lexington Wellness Program’s “Finish Fit Exercise Challenge.” The goal of the challenge was to complete over 900 minutes of exercise over the course of six weeks. With the support of his Wellness Buddy Pete, Joe completed 1170 minutes of exercise! Here is Joe receiving his award, a certificate and a gift card from Walmart, from Lexington’s Deputy Executive Director Dan Richardson.

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SECTION 2:HELPFUL LINKS

A Regional Collaborative on

Health and Wellness of People with Developmental

Disabilities

Lexington – Fulton County Chapter, NYSARC, Inc• www.lexingtoncenter.org

COARC - Columbia County Chapter, NYSARC, Inc• www.coarc.org

Liberty - Montgomery County Chapter, NYSARC, Inc• www.libertyarc.org

The Arc of Rensselaer County• www.renarc.org

Saratoga Bridges - Saratoga County Chapter, NYSARC, Inc• www.saratogabridges.org

Schenectady ARC -Schenectady County Chapter, NYSARC, Inc• www.arcschenectady.org

Schoharie County Chapter, NYSARC, Inc• www.schohariearc.org

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ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT Each organization’s commitment to participate requires:• A pilot program• Establishment of a wellness steering committee• Commitment of staff and financial resources

The Wellness Steering Committee:• Determines who constitutes the pilot• Determines who is responsible for implementing the plan• Adapts the menu/calendar of activities for each goal area• Determines how data is collected and reported in an electronic format• Provides training and communication to staff about program to be

implemented• Reviews aggregate data to determine progress and adaptations that might be

needed• Re-assesses pilot and plan on a semi-annual basis• Acts as liaison with The Regional Collaborative on Health and Wellness

THE REGIONAL COLLABORATIVE ON HEALTH & WELLNESS

The Collaborative is comprised of seven NYSARC , Inc. Chapters who have robust wellness programs for their employees and the individuals they support who have come together to initiate wellness programming, tools and resources. The primary purpose is to improve the overall health of individuals and to reduce the secondary problematic health conditions that they experience. Representatives from each Chapter met to compile and share ideas, activities, plans and implementation strategies that incorporate a full scope of health and wellness options.

As experts in the field of working with and supporting individuals with intellectual and development disabilities, these Chapter representatives worked together to create the curriculum overview and to research materials and best practices in order to compile the information found in this booklet.

Additionally, the Collaborative hopes to build a regional resource of information and support to individuals and to the direct support professionals who assist them on a daily basis. A unique feature of the program is the expectation that all of the activities can be easily adapted to support any individual and that staff can join in the activities to model and motivate individuals towards a healthier lifestyle!

Having compiled this booklet as a resource, the Regional Collaborative on Health & Wellness will continue to:• Serve as a mentor and resource to each organization, providing the framework

for the Health and Wellness plan• Collect and analyze aggregate data to ensure progress• Provide training opportunities• Design challenges to promote achievement of goals• Modify plan as necessary• Pursue funding opportunities

MEMBERS OF THE COLLABORATIVE

Carolynn Anklam, COARC

Laurie Bortscheller, Rensselaer ARC

Jeffrey Collins, Liberty

Cindy Dambrocia, Schenectady ARC

Nancy DeSando, Lexington

Brenda Ebel, COARC

Marco Ingoglia, COARC

Glenda Hughes, Rensselaer ARC

Lauren Milavec, Schoharie ARC

Lisa McHugh, Schenectady ARC

Carlene Pavlak, Schoharie ARC

Gina Warsaw, Lexington

Melaney Wilson, COARC

Terry Williams, Lexington

Shaloni Winston, Lexington

Jackie Wright, Saratoga Bridges

Special Credit: Theresa Potts, COARC

TO CONTACT THE COLLABORATIVE:

Shaloni WinstonExecutive Director

Lexington, Fulton County Chapter, NYSARC, Inc.127 East State Street

Gloversville, NY 12078(518) 775-5383

shaloni@lexcenter.org

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RESOURCES

http://www.choosemyplate.gov• ChooseMyPlate.gov provides practical information to individuals, health professionals, nutrition educators and the food industry to help consumers build healthier diets with resources and tools for di25etary assessment, nutrition education and other user-friendly nutrition information. As Americans are experiencing epidemic rates of overweight and obesity, the online resources and tools can empower people to make healthier food choices for themselves, their families, and their children.• MyPlate, MiPlato and ChooseMyPlate.gov were developed by and are maintained by the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy & Promotion (CNPP).

1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) 1-800-QUIT-NOW is a free telephone support service that can help individuals who want to stop smoking or using tobacco. Callers are routed to their state quit lines, where they have access to several types of quit information and services, including:• Free support, advice and counseling from experienced quit line coaches• A personalized quit plan• Practical information on how to quit, including coping strategies• The latest information about medications• Free or discounted medications (available for at least some callers in most U.S. states)• Referrals to other resources

http://www.nysmokefree.com• Provides information and support solutions about quitting smoking, including local support groups and

access to nicotine replacement products• Nicotine replacement products – over-the-counter (nicotine patch, also available by prescription), gum,

lozenge and prescription (nicotine patch, inhaler, nasal spray)• Prescription non-nicotine medications – bupropion SR (Zyban), varenicline tartrate (Chantix)

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HOW DO I FEEL?

PARTICIPANT NAME: _____________________ DATE: ________

ALL QUESTIONS ARE TO BE ANSWERED WITH YES OR NO. PLEASE READ THE QUESTIONS AND CIRCLE YOUR ANSWERS.

1. MY LIFE IS ON THE RIGHT TRACK YES NO

2. I FEEL I HAVE CHOICES IN WHAT HAPPENS IN MY LIFE. YES NO

3. WHEN I THINK ABOUT MY LIFE I FEEL HAPPY. YES NO

4. I FEEL GOOD ABOUT MY APPEARANCE. YES NO

5. IT IS HARD FOR ME TO RELAX BECAUSE I WORRY A LOT. YES NO

6. I CANNOT THINK OF ANYTHING GOOD TO SAY ABOUT MYSELF. YES NO

7. I DON’T FEEL THAT I AM SUCCESSFUL. YES NO

8. I TRY TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY HEALTH. YES NO

9. I FEEL NERVOUS WHEN I AM TALKING TO PEOPLE. YES NO

10. I AM HAPPY BEING ME. YES NO

30

31

A Regional Collaborative on

Health and Wellness of People with Developmental

Disabilities

Lexington – Fulton County Chapter, NYSARC, Inc

www.lexingtoncenter.org

Coarc - Columbia County Chapter, NYSARC, Inc

www.coarc.org

Liberty - Montgomery County Chapter, NYSARC, Incwww.libertyarc.org

The Arc of Rensselaer Countywww.renarc.org

Saratoga Bridges - Saratoga County Chapter, NYSARC, Inc

www.saratogabridges.org

Schenectady ARC - Schenectady County Chapter, NYSARC, Inc

www.arcschenectady.org

Schoharie County Chapter, NYSARC, Inc

www.schohariearc.org

The Regional Collaborative on Health & Wellness Columbia, Fulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga,

Schenectady and Schoharie Chapters of NYSARC, Inc.