Employee Outreach and Education  More than 90 percent of eligible King County employees, their spouses or domestic partners took the wellness assessment in both 2006 and 2007, far above the 50 percent rate typical for the vendor running the program.
King County’s remarkable participation rate in the new benefits program can be attributed to the incentive level and the aggressive outreach and education campaign conducted prior to the launch of Healthy Incentives. Below is a description of the NACO award winning outreach and education campaign. Overview Presentations to employeesPresentations to employees started nearly one year prior to implementation of the Healthy IncentivesSM program. The first round of presentations reached over 2,000 employees and focused on educating employees about the health care cost and quality crisis. First round presentation The second round of presentations reached over 8,000 employees, introducing them to the Healthy IncentivesSM framework. Finally, a cadre of 12 employees who work on the new benefits program were trained and armed with a PowerPoint presentation, which they delivered throughout the county during regular business hours, on swing and night shifts. In all, 230 presentations were given at 56 worksites reaching 6,667 out of roughly 13,000 employees. Further 3,000 transit operators were reached during what is known as “pick,” when bus routes are chosen. Second round presentation Events for employees
During the year prior to launching the initiative, events were held targeting all levels of employees. Many of these events have become annual events integrated into ongoing outreach and education efforts. Health Leadership Forum announcing program to top level managers and department directors in May 2005
A leadership forum was held for 200 high level managers and labor representatives. This included all county department directors, deputy directors, King County Executive Ron Sims and labor leaders. This has become an annual event. Health and Benefits Fair unveiling program to employees in October 2005
Over 2,500 employees, 1.000 more than expected, were reached at a health and benefits fair that featured the new health plan. This has become an annual event.
Emails — E-mails to employees reached them directly at their desks Posters — Posters were put up at 40 worksites throughout the county
Newsletters — A monthly newsletter was sent to the homes of all benefits eligible employees. The newsletter continues to go to the homes of all benefits eligible employees
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