WELLNESS

Resident Wellness Policy

Section I. Committee Members

The Berhe Group’s Wellness Policy Committee is comprised of the following members: Berhe Asfaha, CFO/Administrator; Judy Berhe, CEO/Administrator; Tamerat Berhe, COO/Chief Legal Counsel; Rhonda McIver-Jackson, Office Administrator; Cedrick Reliford, Sr. Facility Manager/Placement Coordinator; Wendy Telley, Sr. Facility Manager; Sionna Shannon, Assistant Manager; Floyd McIver, Sr. Childcare Worker; LaKeisha Paxton, Sr. Childcare Worker; Lawrence Billips, Lead Staff; Rosemary Glaven, Sr. Childcare Worker; Prince Sesay, Sr. Childcare Worker; Rudy Macias, Sr. Childcare Worker.

Section II. Vision Statement

The Berhe Group  will promote Resident’s health by supporting wellness, good nutrition, and regular physical activity as a part of the total living environment within our facilities. Our facilities support a healthy environment where residents learn and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices. We facilitate learning through the support and promotion of good nutrition and physical activity by contributing to the basic health status of our residents.  We believe that improved health optimizes a resident’s performance potential and assists in ensuring that every resident can be successful.

All residents and staff are given the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills necessary to make nutritious and enjoyable food choices.  In addition, each staff member will be encouraged to model healthy eating and physical activity as a valuable part of daily life.  The Berhe Group  will prepare, adopt, and implement a comprehensive Wellness Policy and administrative regulations that will encourage healthy eating and physical activity.

Section III. 2018-2019 Wellness Policy Goals

The following Wellness Policy goals have been set and are to be completed during the 2018 and 2019 fiscal years: (1) The support of high-quality instructional programs in health education and physical education that provides residents with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to develop and maintain active, healthy lifestyles. (2) The implementation of nutrition standards for all food and beverages served at The Berhe Group that will aid in the promotion of health and the reduction of childhood obesity. (3) Increase residents perception at meal times so no child goes hungry. (4) The creation of an environment that supports the health of residents in the home and community environment. (5) To establish Wellness Policy Committee meeting schedule (Judy Berhe, Admin. responsible); (6) To identify those who will serve on the Wellness Committee (Cedrick Reliford/Berhe Asfaha responsible) - Individuals will be announced during the Steering Committee Meeting. (7) Each facility manager will review the Wellness Policy with their Assistant Manager and report any findings to the Wellness Committee by December 31, 2018. (8) The Wellness Committee will meet in January 2019 in order to review and update existing policy. (Judy Berhe Adm. will be responsible). (9) The Berhe Group Board of Directors will review and approve the Wellness Policy Updates and a copy shall be placed near each facility’s kitchen. (Persons responsible: Judy Berhe Adm., Cedrick Reliford, Sr. Manager, and Wendy Telley, Sr. Manager. (10) The approved Wellness Policy will be reviewed and discussed with each staff member at the next staff meeting held in each facility. (Persons responsible Wendy Telley, Sr. Manager and Cedrick Reliford, Sr. Manager.) (11) The Wellness Committee will meet a second time to evaluate Wellness Policy implementation. (person responsible: Judy Berhe, Admin.) (12) (Report to the Board of Directors on the implementation of the Wellness Policy. The policy will be updated and approved by the Board annually. (Person responsible: Judy Berhe, Admin.) (13) Physical Fitness, the activity schedule will address physical activity on a daily basis and will be the responsibility of each staff member.

Section IV. Physical Activity Component

Our goal in the area of physical activity, is to engage the residents in activities that they will enjoy throughout their lifetime, this is achieved by assisting them in the development of meaningful recreation and leisure skills. Upon admission to The Berhe Group, each resident will be required to complete a “Leisure Preference Checklist.” This checklist will be used by staff in completing a monthly recreation schedule. (1) Indoor Activities: The group home’s indoor activities will consist of; various board games, computer games, the viewing of Television(educational videos), Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox, listening to the radio and CDs, relaxation programs, talking to friends on the phone, crafts, hobbies, cooking, dancing, use of our facility gym and decorating for birthdays and special events. Indoor activities are subject to change on the basis of new activities that are contributed/requested by residents and staff. (2) Outdoor Activities: Outdoor physical activities will be apart of everyday activities, they will include; sport games (i.e. football, baseball, basketball etc.), swimming, running, skating, skateboarding, horseback riding, mountain climbing, kite making and flying, boating and miniature golf, amusement parks, libraries, church outings, the Boys Club, bus/train rides, parades, air shows, car shows, fishing, restaurants, movies, shopping, school dances, parties, plays, tours, concerts, visiting museums, bicycling, picnics, and walks. Outdoor activities are subject to change on the basis of new activities that are contributed/requested by residents and staff. All residents are expected to participate in planned activities, however, during leisure time residents are given the opportunity to select the activities they wish.

Section V. Other Residential based Activity Components

The Berhe Group will create an environment that provides a consistent wellness message, one that is conducive to healthy eating and physical activity; and contributes to forming life-long healthy habits. Social Emotional Wellness. The Berhe Group will provide facility based counseling services at each facility twice a week for all residents experiencing social, emotional and mental health difficulties. We will also provide off-site drug and tobacco prevention educational programs, coupled with anger management classes. Professional Development. The Berhe Group will provide professional development and educational training for Administrators, Managers, and other staff members. We will also provide information related to nutrition and physical activity to residents, staff, parents and CPS Social Workers. Eating Environment. Residents and staff will have adequate space to eat meals in clean surroundings. Residents will also have adequate time to eat, relax and socialize. Drinking water and convenient access to restrooms for hand washing and oral hygiene will always be available. Special consideration (i.e. food allergies, physical disabilities, able to eat in room if necessary) will be given to any sick resident during meal time. Incentives and Consequences. Staff is encouraged to provide positive incentives to residents that help them to sustain a healthy lifestyle. Residents from time to time may receive a consequence that will restrict some of their extra-curricular activities. Family and Community Involvement. Families and CASA Workers are encouraged to promote physical activity during each off-site visit. We also encourage each facility to compete in an outside sport activity within The Berhe Group organization (i.e. flag football, baseball, basketball, soccer, etc.). When available, we encourage each resident to attend a yearly-camp out sponsored by the individual counties. We also encourage staff and residents to cooperate with other agencies and community groups to provide opportunities for residents to participate in physical activity programs (i.e. health fairs, Sport fairs, after school programs, etc.) Staff Wellness. The Berhe Group staff are encouraged to devote time and awareness to their health, safety and well-being. The Berhe Group from inception has a drug, alcohol and tobacco free environment policy. Wellness Committee. The Administrators shall convene a Wellness Policy Committee to assist in the development and implementation of The Berhe Group Wellness Policy. Counseling, Physchological and Social Services. The Berhe Group is equipped with a full service mental health clinic that can provide individual and group counseling, physiological testing and social services as needed and under the supervision of trained professionals.

Section VI. Food Service/Resident Nutrition Program

The Berhe Group Board recognizes that resdients need adequate, nourishing food in order to grow, learn, and maintain good health.  Foods and beverages available at the facilities shall: (1) Be selected so as to contribute to residents’ nutritional well-being and the prevention of disease; (2) Meet or exceed nutritional standards specified in law and administrative regulations; (3) Be prepared in ways that will appeal to residents, retain nutritive quality, and foster lifelong healthful eating habits, and (4) Be served in age-appropriate portions. Business Operations. The Berhe Group Administrators, staff, residents and food consultants will assist in the selection of foods with good nutritional quality to be included as part of The Berhe Group menu. The Board desires to ensure that residents are provided with adequate time and cleanly space to eat their meals. The Administrators will periodically review the adequacy of each facilities appliances and food preparation areas.  The Administrators will also ensure the compliancy with the Health and Safety Code 113700-114455. (cf. 1312.4-Williams Uniform Complaint Procedures);(cf. 3517- Facilities Inspection; and (cf. 7110 – Facilities Master Plan). Professional development for food service personnel shall include nutrition education and safe food handling. (cf. 4231 – Staff Development)

Section VII. Wellness Policy General Recommendations

Food and Beverages Outside The Berhe Group Meal Program.

The following items are to be considered as precedent recommendations of the Wellness Policy Committee. They are specific requirements. It is required that: (a) The Berhe staff should use American made whole, fresh, unprocessed foods and ingredients whenever possible. (b) Fresh fruits and vegetables are offered at each meal or snack whenever possible. (c) Foods low in sodium and trans fatty acids should be used whenever possible. (d) The Berhe staff is required to offer both 1% Milk and Nonfat milk along with water at every meal and snack.  Serving size is according to recommended serving size of the highest grade of the residents in the home and per the Department of Education Nutrition Services daily allowance of no more than 12 ounces of milk and 8 ounces juice. Rewards. The staff does not use food or beverages as a primary reward for residents whenever possible. Staff will always consider healthy options whenever food is made apart of the reward system, or use non-food items altogether. Celebrations. Celebrations both with staff and our outside community partners should be guided toward healthier food or consider giving non-food items. Events Sponsored by The Berhe Group. The event should include healthy foods and beverages whenever possible.

Section VIII. Monitoring and Evaluation

Monitoring of the The Berhe Group Wellness Policy and its implementation shall be the responsibility of the CEO and Administration.  The Wellness Policy Committee shall have primary oversight responsibility. Evaluation of the The Berhe Group Wellness Policy shall be the responsibility primarily of the Wellness Policy Committee.  The Wellness Committee members will meet at least twice a year to monitor and evaluate the Wellness Policy, as well as to propose ongoing goals.  The two meetings will be held preferable in January and June of each year. All findings will be reported to the Board of Directors by the CEO/Administrator. The Board or Directors will be apprised biennially in regards to the monitoring and evaluation of the Wellness Policy during their quarterly board meetings.