CDPHP and Shenendehowa: Partners in wellness

Schools are an essential part of the communities they serve, so it’s important for teachers and staff to stay healthy. That’s why Rebecca Carman, Director of Policy and Community Development at Shenendehowa Central School District (Shen), leaned on CDPHP® for support when developing their employee wellness program.

Rebecca stated, “Working with the CDPHP Workplace Health Services team over the past few years has truly transformed how we approach employee wellness.”

What started as a traditional relationship with a health plan has evolved into a genuine partnership — one that has helped Shen bridge gaps and build a more comprehensive wellness program for their staff. CDPHP provides health screening events that include flu clinics and blood pressure monitoring. The workplace health team also provides creative ideas for Shen employees, like massage chairs during Teacher Appreciation Week.

“With the support of the CDPHP Workplace Health Services team, we’ve been able to create a structured, year-long calendar of events and messaging that keeps health and wellness top of mind for employees,” Rebecca said. “Our initiatives now reflect a thoughtful, engaging approach to staff well-being.”

Allison LaLima, Director, Health Promotion Services, added “By taking the time to listen and customize programs around what employees truly need, we’re able to create meaningful, lasting wellness initiatives — not just one-time events.”

A key part of the success of the Shen wellness program has been the hands-on collaboration they’ve experienced. Rebecca raves, “Allison regularly joins our meetings, brings forward new ideas, and helps us identify opportunities we may not have considered. She even supported the development of a staff survey, allowing us to better understand employee needs and build programs that truly resonate.”

The CDPHP Workplace Health Services team has also become an integral part of Shen’s training efforts. By supporting continuing education classes and community-facing events, Shen has been able to expand what they offer in meaningful ways. The addition of a wellness champion in each building has further strengthened engagement and helped embed wellness into their culture.

“Part of our goal is to help organizations think bigger about wellness by looking at the whole person and finding ways to support them every day, not just during a single program or event,” Allison said.

Rebecca continued, “What stands out most is the CDPHP holistic approach. They go far beyond insurance, consistently helping us connect staff to valuable resources through improved monthly communications and tailored programming. The level of care and partnership they bring makes a real difference.”

Luckily for both partners in wellness, it seems this support and programming has no end in sight. CDPHP has helped Shen’s health and wellness committee make significant progress, with even more ahead. Allison shared “We’re excited about the continued impact we can make together and the deeper level of support we can provide to their employees.”

Simply put by Rebecca, and a true testament to the partnership with CDPHP, “They have been my health insurance provider for over 20 years, and I’ve always been able to rely on them.”

Interested in bringing better wellness to your organization like Rebecca did? The CDPHP Workplace Health Services team can serve as a workforce extension. For no additional cost, give your team more value, programming, flexible offerings, and solutions for a variety of needs.

Visit cdphp.com/brokers/workplace-wellness or call (518) 641-5000 for more information.