King County launches new effort to prevent youth suicide, invites you to join
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections
September is coming around the corner, and we are preparing for September Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
The Department of Community and Human Services partnered with Rescue Agency to develop a countywide Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign to help prevent youth suicide during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September, including a Suicide Prevention Week of Action that will take place Sept. 10 – 16, 2023. Read more.
Share this:
Massive pumps at West Point Treatment Plant get a tune up
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories
The Intermediate Pump Station pumps that push wastewater through West Point Treatment Plant are massive and old. This three-pump trio is from the era of crimped hair and flannel shirts and Pearl Jam on a cassette tape. In constant service since 1993, they are now among the last of their kind on the West Coast.
Even as pump designs (and hairstyles) have moved on, King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) is making these reliable ones last another 20 years. Last summer, the first pump came out of its underground housing at West Point for a tune up for the first time since installation. This summer, the two remaining pumps were removed, lifted by crane, and transported to local refurbishment vendors Beckwith & Kuffle (B&K) and Delta Electric Motors in Seattle. The work was supported by some of the original suppliers and installers from 30 years ago. Read more.
Share this:
Sign up for onsite employee flu shot clinics
Getting a flu shot will help to protect you, your loved ones, and your work colleagues from getting sick with the flu this season. King County is hosting onsite flu clinics where employees can get vaccinated.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone six months and older get a flu shot every year, ideally by the end of October.
Onsite flu clinics start Sept. 18. Learn more about onsite flu clinics and how to register here.
In addition to onsite flu clinics at county worksites, employees can also get vaccinated at pharmacies and healthcare clinics. All King County employees and their dependents who are covered by Kaiser or Regence are eligible for free flu shots at healthcare clinics or pharmacies.
NOTE: While the new COVID-19 booster is not yet available, we anticipate it being available soon, and will share more information on how to access it then. Our hope is to provide it in tandem with the flu clinics.
Share this:
Executive, employees accept Employer Support Freedom Award in Washington D.C.
King County was honored at a ceremony in Washington D.C. with a 2023 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award in recognition of its support of National Guard and Reserve members. Only 15 recipients were selected for the award, which is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to small and large private and public sector employers for their exceptional support of employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.
On hand to receive the award were King County Executive Dow Constantine, Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams, Metro Transit Operator Christopher Cappelletti (pictured right), Petty Officer II in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves who nominated King County for the award, Metro Transit Chief Lisa Dove, and Susan Navetski, Project/Program Manager III with the Department of Human Resources, a military veteran who oversees King County’s Vets 4 Hire program.
“King County is deeply honored by this award,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine in a news release announcing the award. “Military personnel bring an unmistakable can-do attitude, proven effectiveness working in diverse environments, and a rock-solid sense of duty and service, which is exactly what we want at King County. We are committed to supporting our Guard and Reserve employees and their families, and we are stronger for their contributions – as an employer and a community.” Read more.
Share this:
Discounts to 2023 Washington State Fair
King County employees can save on tickets to the Washington State Fair, Sept. 1-24. Click here for instructions on how to purchase your discount tickets. Once you log in to the Corporate Perks portal, your discount pricing will be unlocked. There is no need to enter an additional discount code.
See all available discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
Share this:
An update on COVID-19: Q&A with Dr. Eric Chow, Chief of Communicable Disease Epidemiology
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
You may have heard reports recently of increases in cases of COVID-19 in many parts of the U.S. We talked with Public Health’s Chief of Communicable Disease Epidemiology, Dr. Eric Chow, about what’s happening with COVID-19 in King County right now.
Question: Are we seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases in King County?
Dr. Chow: Yes. Since the beginning of August 2023, we’ve started to see an increase in some COVID-19 metrics in King County, including COVID-19 emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Individual COVID-19 case counts have increased, as well, but on their own these are a less accurate metric because people are getting tested less. Also, at-home test results aren’t typically reported to us. Read more.
Share this:
Blood donations urgently needed ahead of Labor Day
Shared from the Washington State Department of Health
The Washington State Department of Health and Northwest Blood Coalition urge people to donate blood now to avoid a summer blood shortage. Bloodworks Northwest and Vitalant characterize the summer months as the “100 Deadliest Days.” Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, demand for blood remains constant, transfusion needs increase, but donations go down.
Despite updated donor eligibility guidelines that allow more people to donate blood, nationwide the American Red Cross has seen a shortfall of about 25,000 blood donations during the first two months of summer. With fewer donations, the Red Cross’s Pacific Northwest Region does not expect to meet patient need targets this month. Smoke and unhealthy air conditions canceled several blood drives, making matters even worse.
“Our collections are certainly in a situation you would call precarious,” said Curt Bailey, Bloodworks Northwest president and CEO. “We need to continue to share the message that the summer months are a very critical time.” Read more.
Share this:
Third annual FOD Walk nets a key and other debris
Crossposted from the DES Express
On July 22, about 140 people participated in the third annual FOD Walk at King County International Airport-Boeing Field, gathering on the main runway to remove Foreign Object Debris (FOD).
Notable finds this year included a key, a screw, and other debris including rocks. Foreign object debris can be dangerous to aircraft, pilots, and passengers.
“This year saw new sponsorships, more people (including King County Councilmembers), and perfect weather,” said Sam Priest. “All combined that provided a fun and exciting event, making King County International Airport a safe, world-class airport.” See more photos.
Share this:
Uprooted and transplanted, Max and his trees find new homes
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories from King County
People from around the world have found themselves calling King County home, with only an estimated three in 10 Seattle area adults born in Washington. One of these Seattle transplants is Max Solis, who uprooted from Los Angeles in 2019.
“I felt like I was in the wrong place, like there was no future for me in California,” Max says. “I really feel like I’ve found my place in Seattle.”
It should be of no surprise then to learn that Max has found himself looking over his own group of transplants. As a groundskeeper at West Point Treatment Plant (where King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division cleans Seattle’s wastewater) one of his many tasks is looking after a future forest, a group of seedlings that will one day move, just like he did, to a new home. Read more.
Share this:
Growing people power rooted in community love
From the American Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pasifika Affinity Group
“King County is centering people and their experiences to help inform what shapes our strategies, which shape our policies, funding, procurements, and allows true impact in communities being able to create their own resource building,” Amy Pak (she/her) says. “We have incredible leaders. There’s so much knowledge, skill, and power within the community.”
Inaccessible, exclusionary practices and a history of systemic racism and inequity obstruct the pathways for grassroots, Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), immigrant and refugee communities to access needed services. King County is working on changing this using a collaborative, human-centered approach. She currently serves as a manager for grant applications and capacity building for grassroots organizations navigating King County procurement and contracting systems within the Developmental Disabilities & Early Childhood Supports (DDECS) division of the Department of Community and Human Services. Read more.
Learn about the American Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pasifika Affinity Group at www.kingcounty.gov/AffinityGroups.
The next American Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pasifika (AANHP) virtual gathering will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 13. If you are interested in attending this online event or getting connected to the AANHP community at King County, reach out to the co-Chairs, Helen Potter at hpotter@kingcounty.gov and Guru Dorje at guru.dorje@kingcounty.gov.
- Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Teams
Employee News 