St. Lawrence County employers of 75 or more employees are invited to participate in a New York State Department of Health grant funded program, Creating Healthy Worksites (CHW).

The St. Lawrence County Health Initiative is administering this project, which assists businesses in crafting or enhancing a comprehensive worksite wellness program.

The Health Initiative has only six openings for participant businesses.

CHW has worked with 14 employers over the last three years helping them create or improving their worksite wellness programs. North Country Savings Bank, St. Lawrence County, Alcoa, Claxton Hepburn Medical Center, and SUNY Potsdam chose to make employee wellness a priority by implementing a comprehensive worksite wellness program.

Such programs can lower health-related costs and increase employee productivity and morale.

Comprehensive wellness programs have shown a return on investment of $3 to $15 for every $1 spent, the Health Initiative says.

The CHW program is based on a framework of evidence-based practices that create policy, system and environmental changes. Each worksite program works with a CHW project coordinator to determine and implement strategies that are compatible with their culture and business priorities.

Participants are eligible for up to $1,500 to help create a sustainable program.

The Health Initiative wants to fill the six openings by Dec. 1.

More info: Carol Zimmerman, Creating Healthy Worksite Coordinator, 261-4760, ext. 223, carol@gethealthyslc.org.