GARDINER -- Teachers and staff at Gardiner schools can sign up for a wellness project, which starts in December.

The two-year pilot project, which promotes wellness, is a joint effort of Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield and the Maine Education Association Benefits Trust.

Four school districts have been chosen for the project called first of its kind in Maine schools: Gardiner, Readfield, Hampden and Topsham. The initiative is designed to reduce health risks and improve educators' overall well-being.

"We are thrilled that our school district is participating in this innovative project to improve the health of our staff and ultimately, reduce the growth in health care costs," School Administrative District 11 Superintendent Paul Knowles said.

The superintendents, school boards and unions representing teachers and staff are working together on the effort, he said.

Dan Corcoran, president of Anthem, said the Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield Foundation and Association Benefits Trust are providing the funds to launch the project.

The two-year project is open to teachers and other district staffers who elected to take the health insurance benefit offered by their school district.

After assessing the individual district's cultural readiness to support wellness, Leeds-based Occupational Medical Consulting will have its health coaches work with participants to develop and maintain motivation for change.

"By having health coaches work one-on-one with school teachers and staff, we hope to demonstrate effective ways to reduce risk factors that contribute to poor health later in life, and give our school staff the knowledge and skills to live healthy lives," said Christine Burke, executive director of MEA Benefits Trust.

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, ext. 408

mcooper@centralmaine.com