Pictured are The Resource Center employees in charge of implementing the STARS Wellness Program (from left, Heather Courtney, Donna Trusso and Jon DeSantis).

The Resource Center’s employee wellness program has again earned national accolades.

For the fifth straight year, The Resource Center was named one of the “Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America” by Springbuk, a health analytics company that has conducted the annual Healthiest Employers competition since 2009. The Resource Center came in 55th place.

The Healthiest Workplaces in America program honors people-first organizations that prioritize the well-being of their employees. These Healthiest 100 companies were recognized because of their commitment to workplace wellness and their exceptional health and benefits offerings. They were chosen out of the national pool of applicants from all regions, size categories and industries. Award applicants were evaluated across six categories: vision, culture/engagement, learning, expertise, metrics, and technology.

“The STARS Wellness Program is thrilled to have received recognition for our wellness initiatives from a local to national level,” said Donna Trusso, the STARS program manager. “We strive to make improvements on a continual basis. It is very meaningful to witness the increased involvement and engagement among staff who credit the program for having a positive impact on our work environment. Healthy employees are happy employees.”

The Resource Center was eligible for the Healthiest 100 Workplaces competition because TRC came in first place in a regional employer wellness competition last spring.

The key to The Resource Center’s inclusion as one of the country’s healthiest workplaces is its STARS employee wellness program. STARS assesses each person along five life dimensions: basic needs, physical health, mental wellness, family/social relationships, and employment issues. STARS participants meet with a certified health coach to develop and monitor a personalized wellness plan. STARS members receive discounts on their health care costs and wellness activities, and they can earn incentive points they may redeem for prizes. Participation in the STARS program is voluntary. Many of the wellness activities are open to all TRC employees, not just those who are enrolled in STARS.

“The Resource Center’s STARS team is an amazing group of individuals who lead the agency’s wellness initiatives every day,” said Heather C. Brown, assistant executive director for program operations. “They engage staff in positive ways to achieve results. They take the time to develop individual plans and always go the extra mile. We are most proud of how STARS focuses on the whole person and family, not just physical health but all social determinants of health and wellness.”