RALS receives $85K grant to help combat human trafficking via for-hire transportation
Crossposted from the DES Express
That ride-hailing service you take home from a late-night concert or sporting event might be the same one used by human traffickers to transport their victims.
“There’s been a lot of research done with persons with lived experience in trafficking. The majority say they were transported in for-hire transportation,” said Michelle Hoang, Program Analyst for the for-hire and shared transportation team in DES’ Records and Licensing Services (RALS). Read more.
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Dog adoptions just $50 at RASKC in September
September is a great time to adopt a dog through Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC). All month, it’s just $50 to adopt an adult dog – a savings of 50% or more off the regular adoption fee.
Nearly 50 dogs of all sizes have filled the kennels at RASKC and the shelter is over capacity. The shelter needs help from the community to find these dogs their “furever” homes.
“We have some truly wonderful dogs right now that have been at the shelter a long time. We’re hopeful that their future family will walk in the door any day now,” said Alex Ropes, Animal Shelter Administrator. Read more.
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King County launches Determinants of Equity data tool
King County has a new tool to help us better understand disparities in our communities as we work to advance equity and social justice goals.
As part of our work to become a welcoming community where every person can thrive, King County has identified 15 determinants of equity. We have also identified a set of indicators help us better understand where inequities exist and which groups experience the most severe inequities for each of the 15 areas.
The Determinants of Equity tool provides data and information to help employees and community users understand these equity conditions and track progress over time. This is designed to help us develop policies, programs, and budgets that focus where needs are the greatest so that we contribute to more equitable outcomes for all people in our communities.
King County staff are encouraged to use this updated resource to inform planning, policy and program development, and community engagement. The tool is also intended for community members and community-based organizations to better understand inequities in King County.
Please refer to th
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Mental health accommodations for King County employees
Crossposted from KC Balanced You
King County is committed to supporting employees with mental health conditions in the workplace. For many people, employment is an essential part of our identity, well-being and mental and physical health. Employment provides a sense of purpose and allows us to build connections with others. Fostering a culture that promotes self-care and focuses on mental health as an important part of overall health and well-being is critical to building inclusion and providing support to employees in the workforce. A key part of this focus is to provide employees who experience limitations due to a mental health condition with reasonable accommodations in the workplace to be able to perform their job duties productively and effectively. Read more.
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First 2024 Professional Development Scholarship application period now open
The first application period for the 2024 Coalition Labor Agreement Professional Development Scholarship is now open. This period will remain open Sept. 6 – Oct. 8, 2023. This application period is to pay for training courses or programs that begin in 2024, or, for those in a self-paced online degree program, are both taking courses and have tuition and fees to pay during that time period.
To apply, visit the scholarship website and click the “Apply Here” button. Please familiarize yourself with the eligibility and application requirements before submitting the application. Previous applicants please be aware that the application has migrated from NEOGOV to Microsoft Forms, and that some important sections have changed.
The scholarship is part of the County’s commitment to Investing in YOU, and is designed to assist employees represented by a union in the Coalition of Unions with their professional development by providing up to $3,000 in financial assistance towards obtaining training, certificates, degrees, licenses, and certifications.
For more information, visit the Professional Development Scholarship website or email ScholarshipFund@kingcounty.gov.
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Transit agencies continue safety and health efforts following UW study recommendations
Crossposted from Metro Matters
Health officials say riding transit remains safe; drug levels detected on public transportation ‘extremely low.’ Agencies continue vehicle filtration system improvements and cleaning protocols already underway.
In a first-of-its-kind study, the University of Washington today released an analysis of drug smoke and residue samples collected on transit vehicles, and health officials say the levels are “extremely low” and that riding transit remains safe. The five transit agencies that sponsored the study—Sound Transit, King County Metro, Community Transit, Everett Transit and TriMet—are continuing plans to implement health and safety improvements based on the study’s findings and recommendations. Read more.
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Volunteer Tails: Fostering Bunnies
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC
At Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC), we care for more than just cats and dogs. Depending on the need, we’ve taken in guinea pigs, birds, snakes, and even a rat or two.
This year, we’ve taken in a large number of rabbits, which has been a bit unusual. Unfortunately, rabbits don’t do well in the shelter environment – but fortunately we have a group of dedicated bunny foster families who care for these fuzzy critters in their own home until they’re adopted. This story about one particular bunny comes from Kellie, one of our foster volunteers.
“Last night I had five bunnies break out of their pen. The mess I came down to made me question why we foster. I thought to myself it’s so much work. Maybe this is not worth it.” Read more.
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Local food for all: Launch of 2024 refresh of the Local Food Initiative and Regional Food System Program
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green
King County took a big step in becoming a leader in metropolitan food systems planning in 2014 when Executive Dow Constantine launched the Local Food Initiative (LFI) to expand the local food economy, to benefit county food businesses and farms, and to improve access to health and affordable food in low-income communities.
Now, nearly a decade later, King County is launching a refresh of the LFI and King Conservation District’s complementary Regional Food System Program (RFSP).
“The time is right. Climate change is more urgent than ever, the COVID-19 pandemic showed just how fragile our food system is, and inequities can no longer be tolerated,” said Michael Lufkin, Local Food Economy manager for King County and project lead for the LFI update. Read more.
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EvergreenHealth remains in Regence network
Regence BlueShield and EvergreenHealth reached a contract agreement on Aug. 31, 2023. Services provided by Evergreen Health Providers and facilities will continue to be considered in-network by Regence. The provider network contract was immediately effective. If you are enrolled in the Regence KingCare Select Eastside Health Network or the Regence KingCare PPO medical plan and you see an Evergreen Health provider, there will be no disruption to your coverage or benefits.
If you have questions, please call Regence BlueShield at 800-376-7926 or contact the King County Benefits team at 206-684-1556 or email KC Benefits.
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White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Dr. Gupta visits King County to learn more about efforts to support youth
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections
Last week, Dr. Gupta joined King County Executive Dow Constantine, Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) Director Leo Flor, students, a parent of an alumni, and staff for a tour of the Interagency Recovery Academy, the state’s only publicly funded recovery high school. DCHS supports behavioral health outreach and recovery activities at the Recovery Academy by contributing state and federal funding.
The Interagency Recovery Academy was established in 2015 as a partnership between Seattle Public Schools Interagency Academy Queen Anne Campus and the King County Behavioral Health and Recovery Division in DCHS. Read more.
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