Wellness on Wheels (WOW) is a monthly health education event provided at various City of Houston facilities. Worksites are able to request monthly WOW events as desired.

The goal of this program is to raise awareness about prevention, medical conditions and lifestyle management needs amongst the City of Houston employee population.

Each month the Wellness Team presents a new health topic. Attendees are offered educational literature, healthy recipes, and resources for ongoing support.

Opportunities for an interactive experience and fresh fruit is also provided (as available).

All aspects of the WOW events are intended to help the participants learn more about the health topic and ways to improve their health related to the specific area of promotion. These efforts will lead to the overall improvement of employee health outcomes.

See our event calendar for a list of upcoming WoW events.

Lifestyle Management Programs (LMPs) include topics such as the Holistic Wellness Program, Stress Management, Virtual Grocery Store Tour, Weight Management and more.

LMPs are scheduled at various City of Houston facilities as requested and as identified by the Wellness Team.

Classes are intended to engage employees, encourage collaboration, increase knowledge, improve mood, and improve productivity.

Those who are able to attend 3 of the 4 weekly classes and complete the post class survey can be entered for a change to win a $50 gift card.

See the following calendars for a list of upcoming LMPs:

• Virtual Wellness Portal Page

Chronic Disease Management Programs (CDMPs) include topics for presentations such as Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, Low Back Pain and more.

CDMPs are scheduled at various City of Houston facilities as requested and as identified by the Wellness Team.

Classes are intended to engage employees, encourage collaboration, increase knowledge, prevent injury, and reduce risks for developing health related conditions. Those who are able to attend 3 of the 4 weekly classes and complete the post class survey can be entered for a change to win a $50 gift card.

Those who are able to attend 3 of the 4 weekly classes and complete the post class survey can be entered for a change to win a $50 gift card.

Check back to view our event calendar for a list of upcoming CDMPs.

The Onsite City Fit Program is a fun and convenient opportunity for employees to incorporate fitness into their busy schedule.

Fitness classes such as Yoga, Line Dancing, Zumba, Kickboxing, and Cardio Mix are scheduled at various City of Houston facilities as requested and as identified by the Wellness Team.

Onsite City Fit Classes are typically 30-minutes in length and occur twice per week.

Each set of classes will last 10 weeks and participants must attend 70% of the provided classes to receive credit for program participation.

Currently, all City Fit classes are being conducted over Zoom. Our Virtual CityFit Program has short, 15-30 minute workouts designed to be done in small spaces like your desk. They are offered at convenient times around lunch or after work in the evenings. With several, fun options to choose from, it’s easy to find opportunities for movement throughout your day.

Class types include a:

• 15-Minute “At Your Desk” Workout sign up
• Cardio/Strength Workout sign up
• Chair Yoga sign up
• Line Dance sign up

Registration is required for access to the virtual classes. Sign up for Onsite City Fit classes online. If you miss the live class, you can access it on demand up to 72 hours after.

To host an Onsite City Fit Class at your site the requirements are as follows:

• Each site must have a designated contact person responsible for:
  • - Room reservation
  • - Onsite promotion
  • - Attendance tracking
• Designated fitness area must have a hard, non-carpeted floor (May use carpet for Yoga only)
• Designated fitness area must have adequate room lighting
• Designated fitness area must have adequate space for uninhibited movement of up to 20 people
• Each class must have 12 – 15 interested participants

Cigna Onsite Health Coaches (OHCs) provide one-to-one, face-to-face, or virtual coaching to City of Houston employees who are covered under the City’s Cigna health plan.

• Gaps in Care
• Incentives
• Chronic Condition Programs
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Lifestyle Management Programs (i.e. Weight, Stress, and Tobacco Cessation)
• Referrals to specialists and facilities that are noted as being high quality and cost effective.

OHCs focus on gaps in care to ensure City of Houston’s employees receive and adhere to available health care opportunities for the prevention and treatment of existing medical conditions.

The gaps in care categories fully integrated with Cigna’s Health Advocacy programs include: medication adherence, patient safety, achieving key clinical targets, monitoring, and appropriate treatment plan.

OHCs elevate awareness, create a culture of health, educate and empower employees to improve their health outcomes by establishing and executing their own “SMART” goals.

The employee’s Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely goals are then used by OHCs to guide and track the employee’s goal progression relative to evidence based targets and lead indicator interventions.

Through these various interactions the OHCs are able to increase the engagement in health advocacy programs and, in turn, improve the health outcomes of our COH employees.

Upon completion of the program, participants are eligible to earn a $150 gift card for the 2021 – 2022 Win for Life Program. (Health Assessment and Annual Physical must also be completed to qualify before gift card is awarded.)

To host the Onsite Health Coach Program at your site the requirements are as follows:

• Each site must have a designated contact person responsible for:
  • - Room reservation
  • - Onsite promotion
• Designated room must have:
  • - Adequate room lighting
  • - Door for privacy
  • - Ability to be free from interruptions
• Designated room must be available:
  • - Between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • - On the same day for a consecutive eight weeks

See our EventBrite Page for a full list of upcoming Health Coaching opportunities and to register. If virtual coaching is full, EventBrite will say, “SOLD OUT”. You are still able to access telephonic coaching by calling 1-800-997-1406 and still be eligible for the $150 gift card.

Covered spouses can participate but are limited to telephonic coaching by calling 1-800-997-1406.

The City of Houston Tobacco Cessation onsite program is a consecutive 8-week small group class, led by a Cigna Health Coach that focuses on a step-by-step plan for quitting tobacco and transitioning to a tobacco-free lifestyle.

Each 30-minute onsite group class is designed to help tobacco users gain control over their behavior, using a variety of evidence-based techniques for individuals to combine into their own plan to overcome tobacco use.

During this eight week, 30-minute group class, employees will complete targeted assessments, set reduction and/or quit dates goal, to work toward overcoming barriers to quitting. The Tobacco Cessation program is currently virtual using WebEx.

Go to this link to register.

To host the Onsite Tobacco Cessation Program at your site the requirements are as follows:

• Each site must have a designated contact person responsible for:
  • - Room reservation
  • - Onsite promotion
• Designated room must have:
  • - Adequate room lighting
  • - Door for privacy
  • - Ability to be free from interruptions
• Designated room must be available:
  • - To accommodate 11 individuals for 1 hour
  • - On the same day for a consecutive eight weeks

For more details regarding our Onsite Tobacco Cessation Program visit our Tobacco Cessation Program page.

Onsite Flu Clinics (OFCs) are convenient and a great way to reduce the risk of contracting the flu while at the workplace. OFCs are hosted every October, November, and December by the Wellness Team and provided by the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic.

Onsite Flu Clinics are scheduled at various City of Houston facilities as requested and as identified by the Wellness Team.

Employees enrolled in the Open Access Plan, Consumer Driven Health Plan, or Limited Plan – Kelsey-Seybold Network may receive a FREE flu shot onsite at these events.

*Members in the Limited Plan - VillageMD and Renaissance Network will need to schedule a “nurse-only” appointment at their Physician’s office to receive a flu shot.

See our event calendar for a full list of upcoming Flu Clinics.

The Wellness Team hosts monthly Fitbit Challenges in which Departmental Teams achieve to complete the most steps.

We are not currently adding additional teams to our Fitbit Program; please contact as us wconnection@houstontx.gov to be added to the wait list.

Take your nutrition and activity goals to the next level by taking advantage of our partnership with WW. Choose the digital option, or the full option which include digital and unlimited workshops. Get access to the full suite of WW programs and resources for a discounted price only available to COH employees.

View City of Houston Weight Watchers website for more details.

Take advantage of a full team of healthcare providers to combat diabetes. The Kelsey-Care Diabetes Program put the expertise and support of doctors, nurses, and case management at your fingertips to help you manage and combat diabetes. Email us at WConnection@houstontx.gov for more information.

View Kelsey-Care Diabetes Program for more details.

Walking Club and Events

The City of Houston Wellness Team currently offers a Walking Club in the Downtown Tunnels at twice per week.

The group meets in the 611 Walker Tunnel on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.

The Wellness Team also participates in various walking events each year such as the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Walk, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Walk, Heart Walk and more.

If you would like to host an Affinity Group for walking at your facility or learn more about how to join our team for community events, please contact us at wconnection@houstontx.gov.

Running Club

The City of Houston Wellness Team does not currently offer running clubs.

If you would like to host an Affinity Group for running with your coworkers, please contact us at wconnection@houstontx.gov .

Biking Event

The City of Houston participates annually in the Texas MS 150, a 2-day, 150-mile fundraising bicycle ride from Houston and Austin to College Station, TX.

For more details about how you can participate with our Biking Club and/or the MS150, please contact us at wconnection@houstontx.gov or check back with us on the Affinity Group event calendar to signup.

The City of Houston has placed over 20 Blood Pressure Kiosks at key locations throughout the City.

Employees may utilize Blood Pressure Kiosks to check their blood pressure and weight status.

The facilities listed below have a FREE Blood Pressure Kiosk.

Do you have an idea for a wellness challenge for your department?

Complete our Departmental Wellness Challenge Form for review by the Wellness Team.

REQUEST AN ONSITE PROGRAM AT YOUR FACILITY

To request an Onsite Wellness Program at your facility, please send us an email at wconnection@houstontx.gov .