In acknowledgement of Kelso School District’s commitment to building and sustaining a robust employee wellness program, the district received the Zo8 Award for the third year in a row from the Washington State Health Care Authority’s Washington Wellness initiative. The award recognizes organizations for implementing best practices following an eight-step SmartHealth Workplace Wellness Roadmap.
The health and wellbeing of staff is a top priority in Kelso School District, and providing a comprehensive workplace wellness program is part of the district’s strategic plan. In addition to providing a generous employee assistance program that provides free and confidential resources and access to counseling, training and informational sessions are held at school sites and quarterly wellness surveys are sent to all employees.
A Wellness Committee managed by Human Resource Director Dr. Holly Budge and made up of diverse staff members (including teachers, principals, counselors, dean of students, administration, educational support, and human resource staff) coordinates the district’s efforts. The committee meets every month to analyze program results, identify concerns, and develop action plans to address any issues and enhance wellness efforts.
“Our commitment to wellness goes beyond physical health—it’s about creating a culture where staff feel supported, valued, and empowered,” said Dr. Budge. “We’re proud of the work our Wellness Committee is doing to ensure staff have access to meaningful resources and support."
Washington Wellness celebrated Zo8 award winners on March 19. Winning organizations received a physical award and certificates for contributing team members.
(Photo: KSD Wellness Committee members Gunnar Guttormsen, Adrean Myers, Crystal Smith, Melody Bell, and Kali Dalton)