Recently, several Payne County businesses and agencies were recognized as Oklahoma Certified Healthy Businesses for 2012. This designation has been awarded since 2003 by the Certified Healthy Business Program which is a partnership of the Oklahoma Academy for State Goals, the Oklahoma Turning Point Council, the State Chamber, and the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
The premise of the OCHB program is that businesses that invest in health and wellness will see a return on this investment. Such returns might include decreased insurance premiums, few sick days taken, increased productivity, and improved morale among staff. Investments in wellness might also be used as a marketing tool both in competition for customers as well as for top-notch employees.
While there is no specific monetary award associated with being recognized as a CHB, the designation labels a business-owner as a community leader. A plaque is awarded to the business for display and they are recognized at an annual state awards ceremony—which, by the way, just took place on February 28th.
There are four distinct levels of achievement for businesses: Basic, Merit, Excellence, and Maximum. While no business in Payne County received a Maximum award, the Stillwater Medical Center did receive an Excellence designation. Receiving Merit designations were the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, the Payne County Health Department in Cushing, and the Payne County Health Department in Stillwater. Stillwater businesses receiving Basic awards were Stillwater Designs and Audio, Stillwater Public Schools District office, and the Quapaw Company. From Perkins, two businesses received Basic Awards: Harland B. Wells Companies and Sasser & Company Antiques.
Businesses that support their municipal government have an added incentive to earn CHB status. A city cannot become a Certified Healthy Community unless there is at least one CHB in the community. Communities have some monetary incentive to earn this designation because they become eligible to apply for certain grants. These grants are funded by the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust and are to be used to enhance community wellness policies and activities.
In Payne County, Perkins has been recognized at the Merit level for 2012 in the rural category (population less than 4,300.) The criteria to achieve basic certification include the following:
· All city-owned properties are smoke free indoors.
· School districts have adopted 24/7 tobacco, alcohol, and drug free properties.
· Community makes available information about the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline and the Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
· There are Certified Healthy Businesses in the community for the same year.
Mayor of Perkins, Bob Johnson, accepted the Certified Healthy Community award on the city’s behalf this past February. When asked why the city wanted to apply for this designation, Johnson said, “The city was mainly concerned that our youth not be exposed to any more smoke than they had to be.” He added, “We are trying to be a healthy community…I think we are.”
The mayor says that Perkins has already started the process of applying for the incentive grant. Based on Perkins’ population and its merit status, the city is eligible to apply for $3,000. Johnson indicated that any funds received would likely be used for parks and youth recreational programs.
For more information about Oklahoma’s Certified Healthy Program, contact Victoria Gaddis at 405-271-9444 or visit the Turning Point website at www.okturningpoint.org.
– Suzette Barta, OSU Extension Office
“All tobacco control efforts are supported by Payne County Citizens to improve their community member’s health and expose big tobacco and their deceitful practices in targeting Payne County youth and adults.” Payne County Tobacco Prevention Coordinator OSU Prevention Programs.
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