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Palm Desert Campus

Healthy Department Certification

What is a Healthy Certified Department

A certified Healthy Department is a department that prioritizes the health and well-being of managers, faculty and staff in order to contribute to the healthy culture at UCR. As a team, certified healthy department achieve greater levels of physical, mental and occupational well-being in order to create a healthier, more inclusive and supportive work environment. View the Healthy Department Certification video.

Why Should I Get Certified

The Healthy Department Certification program is intended to directly address the wellness concerns voiced by faculty and staff in annual surveys and focus groups. A Certified Healthy Department has a supportive wellness culture that leads to high morale and healthier, more engaged, resilient and successful managers, faculty and staff.

Certified Healthy Departments are wellness leaders on campus, demonstrating a wellness standard that other can strive for. As role models, departments who have been certified will contribute to an encouraging environment for managers, faculty, staff, students and visitors to easily participate in an overall healthier UCR.

Healthy Department Principles

Leadership Support and Organizational Commitment
Leadership consistently articulates the value and importance of health (e.g. making the connection between health, productivity/performance and business results) and advocates for a healthy workplace culture. Managers and supervisors model healthy behaviors, contribute to creating a healthy work environment, support staff in achieving and maintaining healthier lifestyles, and address workplace health and safety issues.
Department Culture of Wellness
Social norms support a healthy workplace culture. Individuals are supported to make healthy choices within an environment that values, provides and promotes options that are supportive of health and well-being.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Managers, faculty and staff embrace a diverse and equitable community that values inclusiveness. A clear system is in place for managers and supervisors to address bullying and unprofessional behavior.
Mental and Emotional Health

Managers, faculty and staff engage socially with each other, have access to healthy work/life balance resources and support each other in maintaining good mental health.

Built (Physical) Environment
The physical workplace provides accessible infrastructure in support of healthy eating, exercising, stress management and safety in the workplace. Managers, faculty and staff are able to work safely by adhering to the recommended ergonomic guidelines for computer and non-computer users.
Nutrition and Hydration
The department culture ensures healthy food and beverage options are included during meetings, potlucks and celebrations.
Physical Activity
Various opportunities for physical activity are available. Managers, faculty and staff are physically active and take movement breaks throughout the day and encourage others to do so.
Safety
The department is safe and prioritizes emergency preparedness and a hazard-free work environment in support of the health and well-being of faculty staff.

Certification Levels and Awards

  • Bronze Certification Level and Award

    Bronze Certified Healthy Departments have started to adopt a culture of health and well-being within their departments. They have taken the first steps to creating a sustainable healthy workplace for faculty and staff by meeting the bronze certified criteria.

    Bronze Certified Departments receive a score of at least 60% across all 8 principles (120-149 points)

    Awards
    • One year of certification
    • Certificate signed by the Chancellor
    • Bronze Level Award

     

  • Silver Certification Level and Award

    Silver Certified Healthy Departments foster a culture of health and well-being within their departments. They have created a sustainable healthy workplace for faculty and staff by meeting the silver certified criteria.

    Silver Certified Departments receive a score of at least 75% across all 8 principles (150-179 points).

    Awards
    • One year of certification
    • Certificate signed by the Chancellor
    • Silver Level Award
  • Gold Certification Level and Award

    Gold Certified Healthy Departments foster a culture of health and well-being not only within their departments, but also across campus. They have created a sustainable healthy workplace for faculty and staff by meeting the gold certified criteria.

    Gold Certified Departments receive a score of at least 90% across all 8 principles (180-200 points)

    Awards
    • Two years of certification
    • Certificate signed by the Chancellor
    • Gold Level Award
  • Honorable Mention

    Even if you don't think your department is quite ready for certification, apply to receive honorable mention on our website. The application can be used as a roadmap to find opportunities to improve and get certified in the future.

Apply Now

To apply to become a Certified Healthy Department, please complete the following steps:

  • When completing the application, please consider activities that have taken place over the last 12 months.
  • Departments with a score of zero in any of the eight principles will not be considered for a certification.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
  • Complete the Healthy Department Certification Application.
  • You may be asked to verify items in the application upon submission. Falsification of any information in the application will eliminate your department from consideration.
  • The application must be completed by at least two representatives from the department.
  • Email the completed application to wellness@ucr.edu.
Step 4
  • Your application will be reviewed and you will be contacted if any additional information is needed.
Step 5
  • You will be notified of your certification award
Key Dates
  • Application period begins – TBD
  • Application Deadline – TBD
  • Notification of award level TBD

Hall of Fame

The following departments have demonstrated significant effort and commitment to building and sustaining a healthy department. Their leadership will encourage the entire UCR community to practice and promote health and well-being on campus. Through the Healthy Department Certification program, we will build a campus community in which every department contributes to a safe and healthy workplace environment, encourages safe and healthy behaviors, and empowers leadership, faculty and staff to create an overall healthier UCR.