The Oklahoma State Department of Health’s (OSDH) Certified Healthy Oklahoma Program is now accepting applications for 2024.

Applications must be received by close of business on Nov. 1, 2024, to be considered. There is no cost to apply.

“Businesses, organizations and communities that earn the Certified Healthy Oklahoma status lead the way when it comes to making health and wellness a top priority,” said Karin Leimbach, OSDH certified healthy consultant. “This is an opportunity for programs across the state to gain recognition of the work that has and is being done to help improve the health of their community.”

Certified Healthy Oklahoma – a collaborative effort of OSDH, The Oklahoma Academy, Oklahoma Turning Point Council and the State Chamber of Oklahoma – is a public health initiative launched in 2003 to recognize businesses and organizations implementing best practices and policies that support improved health and wellness.

The program offers certifications in six categories: Business, School, Campus, Community, Congregation and Early Childhood Program. There are three levels of certification: Basic, Merit and Excellence.

Applicants will receive a comprehensive assessment to gauge how effectively they are supporting health and could qualify for additional resources to help create healthier environments. Program participants will be notified in February 2025 of which certification level they were awarded and will receive formal recognition at an annual awards ceremony.

Just under 1,600 Oklahoma businesses and organizations were certified through the program in 2023.

To learn more about Certified Healthy Oklahoma, or to apply, visit https://oklahoma.gov/ certifiedhealthy.html.