PITTSFIELD, Mass. Nov. 17, 2014- Hillcrest Educational Centers (HEC) has been awarded a Worksite Wellness Stipend by Health New England. In order to address the large number of lifestyle concerns, such as physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and the growing rates of obesity and chronic disease in the adult working population in Berkshire County, Health New England (HNE) has collaborated with Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) creating a Worksite Wellness Stipend Program (WWSP).  Through this partnership, HNE employer groups will have the opportunity to purchase wellness services from BHS’s Wellness at Work Program.  Hillcrest is the first employer in Berkshire County to be awarded this stipend. Rich Belair, Director of Human Resources, at HEC stated, “We are very excited to be chosen to receive this stipend and participate in this exciting program.  Over the past several years we have made employee wellness a part of our culture.  We decided years ago that focusing on employee health and wellness was going to be a long-term business decision for us.  Employees meeting certain wellness criteria are eligible to receive a discount on their health insurance premium.  In addition, we have implemented a variety of wellness programs including fitness, yoga and Zumba classes, and healthy cooking demonstrations.  This stipend will allow us to expand our offerings and help address these significant issues.  We are grateful to work with organizations like HNE, BHS, and TrueNorth Insurance to improve the overall wellness of our community.”

About Hillcrest Educational Centers

A top Berkshire County employer Hillcrest Educational Centers is a private not-for-profit organization, providing therapeutic treatment and special education to children and adolescents with unique psychological and learning needs, in Berkshire County, Massachusetts and the Northeast. Campuses include a day student academy and three residential schools. They are also a resource for a broad range of psychological services, counseling and evaluations for individuals, families and schools in Berkshire County through Hillcrest Community Support Services. Hillcrest also operates Hillcrest Dental Care, Inc., a complete general family dentistry practice. Hillcrest Dental Care is the largest provider in Western Massachusetts of oral healthcare services to MassHealth recipients and special needs patients. In 2010, Hillcrest formalized an affiliation with Berkshire County Kids’ Place and Violence Prevention Center, Inc., a fully accredited Children’s Advocacy Center for child abuse victims and their non-offending family members. Visit our Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn pages under Hillcrest Educational Centers.

About Health New England

Health New England (HNE) is your managed care organization based in Western Massachusetts. Today HNE employs 325 associates and over 5,000 employers and 141,000 members, and growing, choose HNE as their health insurer. HNE offers a diverse product line with plans for the employer and individual markets, Medicare and Medicaid recipients. It is our mission is to provide for the health care needs of our members, deliver superior value, and act as a leading corporate citizen.  We are committed to the health and well being of our members and the communities we serve. We work with care and service providers to foster partnerships that support the diverse needs of the people here in Western Massachusetts. HNE is proud to be among the top health plans in the country and for being named the Employer of Choice by the Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce.

About Berkshire Health Systems

Berkshire Health Systems has assembled a dedicated team of experienced experts committed to making positive changes in the lives of Berkshire County employees.  Our integrative wellness team includes health coaches, wellness nurses, registered dietitians and behavioral specialists.  When designing worksite wellness programs, we utilize an evidenced-based approach that has proven effective in reducing health claims, improving morale, reducing stress and improving performance.

###

Media Contacts:
Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc.
Katrina Cardillo
Director of Communications
413-499-7924 ext. 114
kcardillo@hillcrestec.org  

Health New England
Lynn Ostrowski
Director of Corporate Responsibility & Government Affairs
413-787-4000 Office 413-896-2172 Mobile lostrowski@hne.com