The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) nailed it again, scoring the Aetna Workplace Well-being Platinum Award for the third straight year. It's not every day that state bureaucracy gets a pat on the back, but here we are — CMS isn't just about pushing paper — they're setting the bar high for healthy work environments.
CMS Director Raven A. DeVaughn announced the win, and was keen to point out, "We are dedicated to providing a comprehensive benefits package that supports the overall well-being of State of Illinois employees, retirees, and their dependents.” The team at CMS isn't just checking boxes and ticking off tasks, they're actually investing in the flesh-and-blood people that keep the state's engine humming, managing a hefty $7 billion in annual expenditures and a workforce which includes over 466,000 lives covered.
But what did CMS do to snag such high honors again? These folks are forward-thinkers, running a Wellness Ambassador Program that gives each State Agency and University a say in wellness programming, not to mention getting ahead of health risks by offering skin cancer screenings for those most at risk. Their efforts in colorectal cancer detection and in bolstering mental health supports through initiatives like Active Minds and Mental Health First Aid are making real headway in a space that so often seems indifferent.
The organization has pulled out all the stops in communication too, it's not just about flyers on a bulletin board anymore. CMS is out here with webinars, email blasts, updating web pages, and staying social on the media — which, let's be honest, is the way to get information onto people's radar these days. They're also getting props for increasing the use of Higi smart health stations, savvy tech that's been well-received by those who work at State facilities.
At the end of the day, it's clear CMS's goal is to make sure the State's machinery runs on more than just policies and procedures, but on the wellbeing of the people behind it. It's a note-worthy endeavor that's setting an example for not only public offices but also private enterprises. Maybe it's time to take a leaf out of their book and put the "human" back in "human resources."
