Wellness Q&A

The WESD Wellness Program is housed under the School Improvement Services Department.

The Wellness Program is funded through funds provided by Willamette ESD and, currently through grant funds awarded by the Oregon Education Association (OEA) Heath & Wellness Initiative.

Because funding is limited and tied to specific requirements, not all ideas, requests, or activities can be implemented. Decisions about programming are made with both staff feedback and available resources in mind.

The information we collect helps us plan in many ways. It helps demonstrate the importance of Wellness to WESD leadership, supports grant writing for future funding, allows us to identify participation trends, and helps guide the planning of future events and activities.

It also helps ensure we are reaching staff across different roles and locations and making informed decisions about future offerings.

Staff interest, schedules, and wellness needs vary widely across WESD.

Rather than focusing on one type of activity, the Wellness Program offers a variety of options so staff can choose what works best for them. Not every activity will be a fit for everyone, and that's okay.

Many wellness activities are first piloted at the Marion Center or in Salem due to higher staff presence and available space. When participation and interest are strong, we look for opportunities to expand those activities to other locations across our region when feasible and resources allow.

Our goal is to provide a mix of opportunities that support different areas of well-being, including social connection, mental health, physical activity, and individual self-care.

No, participation is completely voluntary.

The Wellness Program is designed to offer optional opportunities and resources to support staff well-being. You are encouraged to participate in ways that feel meaningful and manageable to you.

Surveys are an important part of how the Wellness Program is developed and improved over time. It is also a requirement of our current grant.

The feedback we collect help us:

• Understand staff needs, interests, and barriers to particpation.
• Identify trends in participation across roles and locations.
• Shape and adjust programming to better reflect what staff want and need.
• Demonstrate impact to WESD leadership and support ongoing funding and grant opportunities.

Collecting feedback at multiple points during the year allows us to see what is working, what may need to change, and how needs may shift over time.

We recognize that surveys take time to complete and appreciate staff taking the time to share their feedback. Your input influences how the program grows and evolves.

Reach out to wellness@wesd.org with your idea. We welcome staff suggestions and feedback.

Staff input plays an important role in shaping future offerings.

Reach out to wellness@wesd.org to inquire. Generally, there is a least one representative for each department, depending on department size.

All Wellness Squad members are volunteers and have supervisor approval to be part of the Wellness Program. 

The Wellness Squad is made up of volunteer representatives from across WESD departments, sites, and programs. The goal is to have a broad range of perspectives so the Wellness Program reflects the needs and interests of staff throughout the organization.

Representation may vary based on department size, interest, and supervisor approval. While we work to include voices from across locations and roles, availability and participation may shift from year to year.

Wellness Squad members help share feedback, support wellness activities, and serve as a connection point between staff and the Wellness Program.

View current Wellness Squad members and who they represent.

Upcoming Wellness events and activities are shared through Wellness newsletters and posted on the Wellness webpage. 

Email is currently the most consistent way to reach staff across all sites. Information may also be shared through flyers, reader boards, staff meetings, and word of mouth when available.

We understand that staff receive a high volume of emails and are continually working to make communication clear, consistent, and easy to navigate.

You can receive reminders in several ways:

• Reading the monthly Wellness Newsletter
• Reading the weekly All Staff Newsletter
• Reviewing the monthly event flyers posted in common staff areas
• Receiving a calendar invite when registering for an event or activity

Not receiving emails? Contact wellness@wesd.org to be added to the mailing list.

Benefits through the Wellness Program include:

• Free access to the Employee Access Center/Canopy
• Free access to Down Dog
• Free access to Headspace
• Free access to Wellable
• 20 minutes of paid Wellness time
• Discounted gym membership (insurance benefit)

Additional opportunities, such as events, activities, and self-directed resources, are offered throughout the year.

Some resources may require a separate sign-up or use of an external platform. We continue to improve how these resources are shared so they are easier to access and understand.

Wellness events are chosen based on general staff feedback gathered through surveys. Events are also dependent on available funding and participation levels.

We aim to offer a variety of activities that reflect staff interests while also being realistic to implement across the organization.

Wellness events are scheduled based on agency calendars and with the help of department administrative staff. We do our best to avoid scheduling around breaks, conferences, trainings, and other major commitments.

Most activities are offered before or after work hours due to the wide range of roles across the WESD and the need to maintain daily operations. When possible, we incorporate flexible or short-duration options during the workday to support participation. 

Register using the event link provided with the activity. Links can be found in monthly newsletters or the Wellness event calendar. If you need assistance, please contact wellness@wesd.org.

If an event reaches capacity, we offer a waitlist when possible. We encourage staff to still register even if an event is full, as there is always a possibility that someone's plans change and space becomes available.

Capacity is often limited due to space, instructor availability, or funding. When possible, we look at repeating or expanding popular activities in the future. 

If your plans change, please cancel your registration as soon as possible. This will allow another staff member to participate if there is a waitlist. To cancel, contact wellness@wesd.org.

This depends on the activity. We offer a mix of in-person and hybrid events when possible to support different schedules, roles, and locations.

Yes! Staff are welcome to attend any Wellness event, even if it is not at their homebase.

Please note:

• Travel to attend a Wellness event is not reimbursable.
• Your 20 minutes of paid Wellness time may not be used for travel.
• Supervisor approval is required if attending would impact your work schedule or require travel during the workday.

Event locations are based on available space, participation numbers, vendor access, and coordination needs. Many activities do take place at the Marion Center or in Salem, due to the number of staff located in this area and the availability of venues within the city.

In some cases, new activities are first piloted here too. If there is strong interest and participation, we look for opportunities to expand or offer similar activities at other WESD locations when appropriate. 

Designated WESD site locations for activites:

• Marion Center
• Discovery Center
• Woodburn Center
• Willamette Career Academy
• Yamhill Center
• Lord High School (secured facility/Lord High School staff only)

We recognize that this may not be accessible for everyone and are continuing to explore additional venues and opportunities across Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties, especially in areas where groups of staff are located. Expanding access involves balancing factors such as participation levels, cost, staffing, and site logistics.

Please refer to the 20 Minutes of Wellness section of the website.

Participation during the workday depends on the activity.

Short, flexible options (such as 20 minutes of paid Wellness time) are designed to be used with supervisor awareness. Longer activities are offered outside of work hours.

Due to the nature of our work, staff are not able to step away from core responsibilities for extended periods during the workday. We continue to look for ways to offer flexible options that support participation within these limitations.

All Wellness activities are free to WESD staff members unless otherwise stated. Any costs will be clearly communicated in advance. 

Wellness funds are reserved for WESD employees only. While guests may attend eligible events when indicated, any costs associated with guests are the responsibility of the participating WESD employee.

No. Travel to attend Wellness events is not reimbursable.

Some Wellness activites may include prizes or drawings. When offered, details will be shared with the activity information.

Some activities may include eligibility limits. Any restrictions will be clearly outlined in the details. 

Benefits through the Wellness Program are currently:

• Free access to Down Dog
• Free access to Headspace
• Free access to Wellable
• 20-minutes of paid Wellness time
• Discounted gym membership (insurance benefit)

Browse the Wellness webpage more additional resources!

Yes. If you need an accommodation to participate, please contact wellness@wesd.org as early as possible.

Please reach out to wellness@wesd.org with any questions or concerns.

We recognize that access can look different depending on roles, schedules, and locations.

To support this, the Wellness Program aims to offer:

• A variety of activity types, including non-physical options
• Flexible and self-directed resources
• Opportunities at different times of day
• A mix of in-person, virtual, and hybrid offerings when possible

We also recognize that wellness looks different for everyone. Our goal is not to tell staff how they should approach wellness, but to provide a range of options so individuals can explore what works best for them. The program is designed to be self-directed, allowing staff to try new things in a low-pressure, supportive environment.

We understand that not everyone will choose to participate in wellness initiatives, and we fully support that decision. The Wellness Program is intended to be an added benefit for WESD staff, something that is available when and if it is helpful.

We continue to review staff feedback and participation trends to identify barriers and improve access across the organization.