Ringgold has been selected by the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) to receive an Employee Health Promotion and Wellness Incentive Grant to promote worksite programs designed to enhance the health and wellness of city employees and family members.

Awards are made to members of the GMA Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System (GMEBS) Life and Health Insurance Fund, underwritten by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia and based on a city’s commitment to employee health and demonstrated collaboration with other community groups and organizations engaged in health promotion.

As part of the grant process, the city delegated a health promotion leader, Lori Madrazo, to develop a workplace health promotion action plan and attend a health promotion and wellness training session.

Wellness programs have a demonstrated track record of improving employee health and quality of life while reducing medical claims and improving workplace morale, according to a media release. GMA offers wellness services to all member cities through Local Government Risk Management Services (LGRMS), a not-for-profit agency operated jointly with the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia.

City employees will be offered a confidential health assessment program using a health risk appraisal, with blood pressure screening and health improvement feedback.

“We are pleased that the GMA recognizes our interest in employee health and in managing health care costs,” said Dan Wright, Ringgold city manager. “This grant will help us provide new programs to our staff and their families.”

The GMA–GMEBS is available to all Georgia Municipal Association members. Currently, 153 cities, authorities and regional commissions participate in the health plan. All cities, authorities and regional commissions participating in the GMA–GMEBS are eligible to apply for the Health Promotion and Wellness Incentive Grants on an annual basis.