Liberty County received a $5,000 grant from ACCG, Georgia’s county-advancement association. The grant was obtained through the Georgia Department of Public Health and will be used to bolster the county’s employee wellness program and health-promotion efforts.
ACCG Deputy Director for Leadership Development Jeff Christie presented the grant to Liberty County Board of Commissioners Chairman Donald Lovette and the Liberty County Wellness Committee on Tuesday in Hinesville.
“We are honored and excited to receive this grant in recognition of our efforts in health and wellness,” Liberty County human resource specialist Laura Troutman said. “These funds will be used to further enhance and develop wellness initiatives that empower Liberty County employees to take control over their personal well­being.”
Two counties, Liberty and Jones, each won a $5,000 grant from the Georgia Department of Public Health through its cardiovascular-health initiative. The grant was available to local governments with existing wellness programs and to those considering implementing them.
Wellness programs have shown to improve employee health and quality of life while reducing medical claims and improving workplace morale. Liberty County’s employee-wellness program began in 2006. The Georgia Department of Public Health selected the county’s program because it demonstrates a history and commitment to the well-being of its employees. The grant is intended to help the county augment its program as it creates a sustainable model for local-government employee wellness programs that can be replicated by other counties throughout the state.
“Wellness is important to the overall health of our employees and we feel that it relates to the whole person — physically, emotionally and mentally. We do all we can to encourage healthy living through being physically active, getting preventative screenings, attending health-education classes and performing volunteer work in the community,” Liberty County Assistant Administrator Bob Sprinkel said. “By doing this, our goal is to have healthier, more motivated employees and a much stronger work force. Because of our vibrant wellness program, we are also seeing a positive effect on our health insurance
rates.”