In 1991, the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA), developed a unique and important worksite health promotion initiative. Sponsored locally by the Wellness Council of Wisconsin, the “Well City USA,” initiative challenges local business communities to work together by engaging entire business communities in improving the health and well-being of their workforces. To learn more about a Well City for your community and the selection process for a Well City project complete the following form.
Vision
Simply, the vision of Well City USA is to work with business and community leaders to make your workforce one of the healthiest in America. Furthermore, the mission is to maximize the health and well-being of individuals throughout a business community by developing and delivering results-oriented evidence based health promotion programs at the worksite.
Requirements
The goal of achieving Well City status is met when a minimum of 20 employers who collectively employ at least 20% of the city's workforce become designated Well Workplaces within a three-year period. Each employer must complete WELCOA's Well Workplace Award application documenting their progress in developing and delivering their worksite wellness initiatives. The applications are reviewed by a nationally-recognized panel of WELCOA reviewers. Well City awards are given at three levels: Bronze (20 companies with 20%), Silver (20 companies with 30%), and Gold (20 companies with 50% of the city's workforce).
Current Projects
Ten communities have achieved this prestigious award – Omaha, NE; Chattanooga TN; Jacksonville, FL; Hobart, IN; Lincoln and Kearney, NE; Gainesville, FL; Kanawha Valley, WV,Bangor ME, Morgantown, WV and most recently, Milwaukee, WI who achieved Silver Well City status. Locally, Wisconsin has three active projects in addition to Milwaukee - Well City Racine and Well City Fox Cities and Well Oshkosh. For more information on Wisconsin's Well City projects, see the following: