| (a) Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in these sections, shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. (1) Act--The State Employees Health Fitness and Education Act, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6252-27, as amended by Senate Bill 545, June 1989. (2) Cost--A method of sharing expenditures between one or more sharing organizations and their employees. (3) Employees--The classified and unclassified staff of a state organization. (4) Facilities--Buildings and their fixtures, sidewalks, activity areas, parking lots, and other property improvements, owned or operated by a state organization. (5) Health fitness--A condition of physical and mental well-being. (6) Health risk factors--Characteristics, identified through epidemiologic studies, which may influence the development of various diseases within
individuals. (7) Organization--A state department, institution, commission, or agency affected by the Act. (8) Plan--The description of an organization's health fitness program which addresses the participants, purpose, nature, duration, costs, and expected results of the program. (9) Program--The activities described in an organization's plan for implementing the Act. (b) Program overview and authorization. (1) Overview. A brief overview of the organization's program will be given which generally describes its purpose. An example is as follows: The (name of organization) employee health fitness and education program is a voluntary program of structured activities for its administrators and employees designed to result in an increase in the general level of their health fitness. (2) Authorization. (A) This program is authorized by the
State Employees Health Fitness and Education Act of 1983, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6252-27, as amended by Senate Bill 545, 71st Legislature, Regular Session. (B) Executive Order WPC-89-10, dated July 21, 1989, designates the commissioner of health as the governor's representative for approving state agency health fitness and education programs and authorizes the department to adopt rules concerning the programs which require the expenditure of public funds. (C) Agencies which have approved plans under the governor's Commission on Physical Fitness are not required to resubmit plans to the Texas Department of Health. (c) Program categories. Most programs will be targeted to one or more of the levels shown as follows. The program plan will identify activities to be conducted under the appropriate level(s). (1) Awareness. An awareness program increases the employees' level of awareness or
interest in the topic of the program. Such programs often result in increased knowledge about healthy behavior and can be effective morale boosters and ways to publicize the program to a large number of employees. These types of activities are also an inexpensive way to begin the program. Examples include newsletters, posters, health fairs, one-time education classes, brown bag seminars, and health screening without ongoing follow-up. (2) Lifestyle change. Lifestyle change programs are intended to change the health behavior of the employee. Health education or behavior modification are two common methods used. Such programs should continue at least eight to 12 weeks if they are to have any long-term impact. Examples include ongoing fitness classes, regular meetings of weight loss groups, or extended stress management education. (3) Supportive environment. A supportive environment program is intended to create within the worksite an environment
that encourages healthy lifestyles. The major elements of that environment are the physical setting, departmental policies and culture, ongoing programs and structure, and employee involvement in programs. (d) Program objectives. (1) Primary goal. The primary goal of each organization's program will be stated. The goal might include management goals of reducing health care costs or improving morale, or health goals such as reducing the incidence of heart attacks or back injuries. Bear in mind that if the program goal is to reduce health care costs or absenteeism, significant amounts of effort over at least five years will be necessary. (2) Objectives. The organization's plan will include measurable objectives which allow the program to accomplish its goal. Objectives in one or both of two categories, process or impact, will be included. (A) Process objectives state what the program will do in
measurable terms, such as "Recruit 50% of the employees to participate in a health screening/health fair in 1990." (B) Impact objectives state what the program expects to happen as a result of its activities, such as "Increase by 5.0% the number of employees who participate in aerobic exercise at least two times/week." (3) Evidence. Evidence that employees' needs and interests have been considered in planning program objectives will be included.
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