EMPOWERING HEALTH WITH FIT4WORK
This website was designed to showcase concrete ideas, activities, and ways to improve the mental and physical health, well-being, and job skills for individuals for disabilities. These activities are for students, teachers, therapists, and parents to get started on a work fitness preparation journey; in pursuit of not just employment, but optimal physical and mental health. Many of the Elements are already included in the population health model Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Childwhich all communities should be using to promote the health and well being of children and youth regardless of ability.
I define "Total Health" as having your foundational needs met. Our foundational needs seem basic, but are actually required to thrive and have optimal quality of life. In the Fit4Work context we focus on optimal post-school outcomes that include employment in the least restrictive environment.
I subscribe to the "ELEMENTS" described by Pro-Activity of Move, Fuel, Recover, Endure, and Connect.* These Elements are basic needs that must be met. If they are not met, we cannot achieve optimal health. The entire community requires having these needs met in order for the system to optimally function. Fit4Work describes how to meet Move (as described in the graphic below), whichwill impact Connect and Endure. Fuel and Recover are required for optimal functioning in all areas. In truth, as stakeholders, we need to recognize when the others are not being met and formulate a plan for development. In this way, we can maximize not only the physical abilities of students but their quality of life.
