$1 Million "Wellness Works" Initiative Set to Distribute Funds

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Companies interested in receiving matching grants from the $1 million Western New York Wellness Works Initiative should watch their mailboxes this week.

UB's School of Public Health and Health Professions is calling for proposals from any company or business interested in developing a new wellness program for employees.

The proposals will be evaluated by a panel of UB faculty as a blind review, meaning that no company names or identifiers will be included on program proposals. Proposals must be received in the program office, 270 Farber Hall on UB's South (Main Street) Campus, by 5 p.m. March 25.

The wellness project is the brainchild of State Senator Mary Lou Rath. Administered by UB's School of Public Health and Health Professions, it will provide funds for two years to companies whose projects are approved by the board.

The maximum amount of each grant is $50,000. "Wellness Works" dollars must be matched dollar-for-dollar by each business, and must be applied directly and exclusively to implementing and operating the program. Successful applicants will be notified on April 22, with awards expected to be distributed in June.

Evaluation of the programs' effectiveness in improving employee health and wellness, and thus reducing health-care costs, will provide data that will be used to document the most cost-effective ways to reduce health-care costs, which then could be applied regionally.

Examples of health issues companies could address are smoking cessation, stress reduction and management, weight reduction, diet and exercise improvement, blood pressure management, cholesterol management and others.

Workshops to help companies complete their proposals will be held on Feb. 19 and Feb. 23 from 9-11 a.m. in 180 Farber Hall on UB's South Campus. To register for the workshops or to obtain a copy of the request for proposals (RFP), call 829-2975 ext. 671.