Is it Time for an Employee Benefits Consulting Tune Up?

A doctor is working on his laptop looking over employee benefits

Employee benefits packages are a tremendous component of public sector employer’s budgets, employee retention and recruiting efforts. An employer of 3,000 employees or more may need to budget upwards of 20 to 26 million annually towards employee health benefits. For our schools, this is an incredible amount of public funding and a crucial part of the overall budget spend. It … Read More

Myth: Fat causes heart disease and should be avoided.

A avacado is sliced in half and sitting in front of a bowl heart disease

Myth: Fat causes heart disease and should be avoided. Truth: Fat is essential and should not be avoided on the basis of heart disease fears. Fat has been a topic of concern for the last 40 years based upon the theory that increased fat intake is the primary cause of coronary heart disease (CHD). Between 1977 and 1983 the US … Read More

Here at Valley Schools & HPACT, We Take Springing Into Spring to Heart!

Valley Schools Wellness teams putting their hands in a circle

February, March and April have been a whirlwind of activity for our Account Management and Wellness Teams at Valley Schools. Take a look at some of the exciting ways we are supporting our members and their communities! Paradise Valley Unified Fun Run 5K Peoria Unified School District 5K City of Tolleson and Tolleson Elementary School District Whoopee Daze 5K Avondale … Read More

Myth: Eggs Raise Cholesterol and Cause Heart Disease

Truth: The cause of heart disease goes beyond cholesterol alone, and eggs do not increase heart disease based on conclusions of the most valid research studies available. If you weren’t already skeptical of the nutrition headlines before, reading that eggs might actually be bad for you may have put you over the edge. Your skepticism is valid and, although there … Read More

Healthier Employees = Healthier Insurance Programs & Budgets

A male doctor is consoling a female patient about insurance in a doctor's office

When an employee misses work because they are sick, it’s a hardship on the employee and the employer. Absenteeism costs the employer money and time. From finding a substitute teacher, pulling assistance from another department to cover the gap, to shuffling deadlines and duties.  Presenteeism is also critically important and often overlooked. This is when an employee is physically at … Read More

The Health Benefits of Meditation

What if there was a tried and true solution to make you more positive, energized, productive, focused, as well as reducing your stress? Have you ever tried meditation? Simply being more connected and present in our daily lives may be the solution to feeling balanced, happy and grateful.   There are different meditation practices so it is important to find … Read More

A Testimonial from Jan Cordova

A doctor is on the phone with a patient jan cordova

    Here at Valley Schools, we are a beneficial resource for you as an employer for your school district or other governmental agency. But don’t just take it from us, hear from one of our members, Jan Cordova… “I have had the pleasure of working with Valley Schools for several years and appreciate that they are right there in … Read More

Weight Loss 101

A woman is running along a road in pursuit of weight loss

With every New Year comes a slew of exercise goals and fad diets. Unfortunately, both the goals and the diets often fall flat due to frustration associated with deprivation and/or a lack of results. Turn over a new leaf in 2019 by following these simple strategies for successful weight loss and gift yourself a more balanced diet in the New … Read More

New Years Nuptials – Courting Success

An apple with a measuring tape around it new years

We’re approaching the new years and if you’re anything like the majority of us, you’re teetering on the edge of serving yourself a new years resolution so big that its bound to come with a heaping side of guilt once you fall off the wagon or you’ve already decided there will be no resolutions this year because you fear this … Read More

Myth-Busters About Red Meat

A beautiful piece of red meat surrounded by rosemary

MYTH: Red meat is bad for you. TRUTH: Contrary to the recent media headlines, the meat is healthy and can absolutely be a part of a nutrient-dense, whole-foods diet. Red meat is a rich source of the B vitamins thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, folate, niacin, Vitamin B6 and especially Vitamin B12. In fact, sufficient red meat intake is one of … Read More