Employee Wellness

Yadkin County Schools offers all full-time employees an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Colonial Life and in conjunction with your employer-paid Group Term Life policy.  Your EAP provides 24/7 confidential personal support and a referral service with face-to-face sessions and video counseling with a mental health professional.  Short-term counseling is available if you are experiencing stressful life transitions, anxiety, financial stress, depression, grief, or relationship problems.  Help is available by calling 1-888-645-1772 or going online to Colonial Life's EAP partner HealthAdvocate to access all of the resources you need to get help. Click the following link to watch the HealthAdvocate EAP Orientation Video.

It's OK to Ask for Help. The stress of life can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to handle it on your own. With support and someone to listen, you can find a way through. Hope4NC is here to connect you with the help you need whenever you need it. Call or text “hope” to 1-855-587-3463 for free and confidential emotional support, counseling referrals, and community resources available 24/7.  This program is in partnership with REAL Crisis Intervention, Inc.  A live person will always answer, no matter when help is needed.

If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911 or go directly to your local emergency room. If you are in an emotional or suicidal crisis, call 988.

The North Carolina Healthy Schools Employee Mental Health Toolkit provides resources that you can use to support your own mental health and the mental health of your peers. The toolkit was developed specifically for North Carolina school staff. It’s a one-stop shop for tips and resources on topics like self-care, building resilience and peer support. It can also point you to information about mental health benefits provided by the N.C. State Health Plan.

YMCA Wellness Works Membership Benefit

As an employee of Yadkin County Schools, you are eligible for a 5% discount on your YMCA membership. Our partnership with the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina also provides waived joining fees and preferred member pricing on after-school, camps, swimming, and youth sports programs. As a member of the YMCA, you also have nationwide membership privileges at participating YMCA locations. 

Permanent part-time and full-time employees will have their membership fees deducted from their August through May checks.  Employees in the hourly category will have fees deducted from their September through June checks.

YMCA Payroll Deduction Pricing

YMCA New Member Application (write the name of your designated branch in the official use only box)

YMCA Current Member Modification Form (write the name of your designated branch in the official use only box)

*send all application forms to Melinda Reich at the Central Office

Importance of Physical Activity

We all know how important daily exercise is to our body and mind. Still, only one in three adults achieves the weekly recommended physical activity. Exercising for just 30 minutes each day has the following benefits:

Stress Relief- Stress wreaks havoc on the human body. When stressed, you have trouble focusing, thinking clearly, and making rational decisions. Exercise helps improve mental health by providing clarity to handle stress better and effectively. Exercise also reduces cortisol levels (the body’s stress hormone), while sweating releases endorphins that help your mind relax. 

Heart Health- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Regular exercise promotes heart health by lowering bad cholesterol levels (LDL) and raising good cholesterol levels (HDL). Exercise helps strengthen the heart, allowing it to work harder and longer. New blood vessels will also form from regular physical activity, which decreases blood pressure.

More Energy- Energy levels are an important indicator of well-being and engagement. One of the best ways to battle fatigue is to work out. Exercise improves circulation and strengthens the heart muscle, providing an instant rush of energy.

Weight Management- Exercise is commonly used for weight management and weight loss benefits. Exercise will boost weight loss and tone the body when paired with a healthy diet. Those who exercise regularly have a much lower risk of obesity.

Productivity- The benefits of exercise aren’t just physical; there is evidence that it boosts mental abilities like enhanced creativity, quicker learning, a sharper memory, and improved concentration.

Disease Prevention- Inactivity takes a toll on the body, and exercise tremendously affects the prevention of numerous chronic diseases. Moving helps muscles grow stronger, keeps hormones balanced, and decreases inflammation throughout the body. An active lifestyle significantly lowers the risk of heart disease, diabetes, asthma, chronic pains and arthritis, and certain types of cancer. An active life might mean a longer, more enjoyable life.

Improved Immune System- Regular exercise helps flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways – reducing the risk of the common cold, flu, and other illnesses. Physical activity strengthens your immune system, making you less susceptible to whatever bug is going around the office.

The NC State Health Plan Clear Pricing Project allows members to receive Primary Care Provider (PCP) copay waivers and specialty care reductions. One option in the Triad is Bethany Medical,with offices in Wilkesboro, Mt. Airy, Winston-Salem, and Kernersville.  To qualify for the $0 Clear Pricing Project (CPP) copay, you must select your PCP and then go to office visits at their location.  Follow these directions for updating your PCP. 

State Health Plan members who need help with tobacco cessation to help you quit smoking, chewing tobacco, or vaping can receive in-person counseling and $0 prescription medications. Quitline NC provides 24/7 support and resources that can help you quit, and employees who commit to visiting a Primary Care Provider who offers counseling for tobacco cessation counseling can receive a premium credit on their health insurance