Better Together: Midland County ESA focuses on well-being

Workplace culture is constantly changing, and Midland County ESA is prioritizing mental and physical health, work-life balance, and overall well-being for their employees. “As an organization, we are just getting back on track this year as we reactivate our ‘Better Together’ motto,” says Midland County ESA Human Resources Director, Kim Bruske. 

In November, the ESA will send out an employee survey containing questions about health goals, how the agency is supporting personal well-being, holiday events, health challenges and group outings. “With the help of coworkers, we are trying to build health awareness and shift the culture to being Better Together,” says Bruske.

ESABetter Together launched with the help of community partners.To help launch this initiative, Midland County ESA, with the assistance of community partners, is publishing a quarterly well-being magazine, "Better Together", which is distributed to each employee. 

“In each edition, you can expect to find a wide range of articles, features, and expert advice covering various topics such as nutrition, exercise, mindfulness and stress management,” shares John Searles, Midland County ESA Superintendent, in the magazine’s first issue debuting Winter 2023.

“We will have curated content that caters to (employees’) diverse needs and interests with the goal to empower (them) with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions and take positive steps toward a healthier lifestyle.”

Employees have access to interviews by scanning QR codes in the magazine in which they can hear Searles talk with Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition Director Kathy Snyder and other ESA employees on what well-being means to them.

Flipping through the pages provides healthy recipes, articles on how to engage mental health services and stories from coworkers on how they view and practice self care. Financial well-being and getting a good night’s sleep are also promoted as healthy habits for employees in the first issue.

When asked what sets them apart from other employers, Searles was proud to say that each employee has a single membership to Greater Midland Community Center and access to pet insurance. It’s the little things that employees care about as these are whole people with lives outside of their jobs and should be taken care of beyond their workday. It is also important to provide these incentives, as the budget for payroll can only be stretched so far.

The agency also promotes well-being by encouraging staff to participate in sports, races and attend events at Greater Midland to get their hearts pumping. In the second issue of "Better Together", the pages are covered with employees having fun with their families while engaging in physical activity.

“Boost your immunity with exercise, a healthier diet and getting adequate rest” kicks off the recipe section filled with heart healthy foods. The closing article teaches employees that with regular exercise, their hearts will be stronger and that the work that they put in will become beneficial to their overall health. 

ESABetter Together's summer edition highlights pets For the Love of Pets is the theme of the magazine’s third and most recent issue, Summer 2024. “This issue is especially close to our hearts as we explore the incredible bond we share with our pets,” says Searle.

“Our furry, feathered and scaled companions not only provide us with unconditional love and companionship, but also enhance our daily lives in countless ways. They motivate us to get outside, stay active and enjoy the simple pleasures of nature. Whether it’s a brisk walk in the park, a game of fetch or simply lounging in the backyard, pets enrich our lives and promote our well-being.”

The summer issue allowed coworkers to share photos and stories of their pets. If you have a pet or know someone with a pet, you know people love talking about their pets. Throughout the issue, ESA employees will find information on how to access pet insurance, read about the benefits of having a pet and how a community partner, The Humane Society of Midland County, aims to enrich the lives of animals and humans. Other topics covered are hydration, financial health and the importance of women taking care of themselves, as they are usually the main caretaker in their homes and put themselves last.

Searles and the leadership team will continue to take care of their staff by offering access to community partners, engaging programs and healthy materials because they understand the importance of taking care of their staff’s mental and physical well-being. Providing the "Better Together" magazine is just a small part of what the ESA does to serve their staff so that the students in their care are also served well.