Second Professional Development Scholarship application period now open
The second and final application period for the 2023 Coalition Labor Agreement Professional Development Scholarship is now open. This period will remain open May 8 – June 4, 2023, to pay for training that will begin anytime between July 1 – Dec. 31, 2023.
Awardees for this second period will be notified via email no later than July 21, 2023.
For more information and to see dates for the 2024 program year, go to the Professional Development Scholarship website, watch the Employee Information Session video or email ScholarshipFund@kingcounty.gov.
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.
Click here to view the scholarship listing and apply.
Share this:
The Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration ends May 11, 2023. What does this mean for you?
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
When the COVID-19 pandemic first began here in the US, the federal government put in place special emergency declarations that allowed them to rapidly respond to the spread of COVID-19 as well as addressing financial barriers to COVID-19-related care. On May 11, 2023, the Federal Public Health Emergency Declaration ends, which means there will be changes to how some people receive COVID-19-related care, like testing, treatment, and vaccines.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 is not over
The expiration of the emergency declaration does not mean that the pandemic is over as COVID-19 continues to circulate in our communities and severe disease occurs especially among those with risk factors. But it will end the flexibility the government has for some COVID-19 efforts. Read more.
Share this:
Warren Kagarise named Social Media Professional of the Year
Warren Kagarise, digital engagement manager, was recently named Social Media Professional of the Year by Government Social Media.
Warren, a member of KCIT’s Design and Civic Engagement Team since 2017, works with King County departments and agencies to improve social media strategy, policies, and content, and enhance digital engagement through email, text messages, and other tools.
The Social Media Professional of the Year award honors a social media professional in government who is known in the space for their work, while being committed to supporting and teaching fellow communicators.
Warren accepted the award May 3 during the Golden Post Awards ceremony at the Government Social Media Conference (GSMCON) in Reno, NV, the largest event for public-sector social media professionals.
In addition to his King County role, Warren is a member of the Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) Board of Directors, a member of Nextdoor’s Public Agency Advisory Board, and past president of the Government Social Media Membership Council. Congratulations Warren!
Share this:
Executive proclaims May 12 as Provider Appreciation Day
In recognition of their contributions to the communities and families they serve in King County, the region, and the country, King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed May 12 as Provider Appreciation Day.
“King County recognizes that the child care workforce has been a lifeline for families, communities, and the economy and as such, has taken steps to prioritize equitable access for families and increased workforce wages through its Best Starts for Kids initiative, and child care health and safety through Public Health’s Child Care Health Program,” Executive Constantine said in the Proclamation.
Read the full proclamation below.
Share this:
Hot weather is on the way
Hotter than normal weather is forecast for our region. Here are some tips from Public Health – Seattle & King County to help you manage the heat:
- Check on at-risk friends, family and neighbors.
- Stay cool.
- Spend time in air-conditioned buildings (such as malls, movie theaters, or libraries) if you can and avoid direct contact with the sun.
- Some cities in King County may offer cooling centers for those who need them.
- Reduce physical activity and move to shaded areas.
- Do outdoor activities in the cooler morning or evening hours.
- Cool your body down quickly by wearing a wet scarf, bandana, or shirt.
- Stay hydrated.
- Drink plenty of water and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more.
- Limit or avoid caffeine and alcohol. They can be dehydrating.
- Never leave infants, children or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open. It only takes a few minutes for severe medical problems and even death to occur.
- Watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Seek medical care immediately if you know someone who experiences symptoms.
Get more tips and advice on Public Health – Seattle & King County’s hot weather webpage.
Share this:
Executive proclaims Public Service Recognition Week
In celebration of the work county employees perform every day to making a King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive, King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed May 7-13, 2023 as Public Service Recognition Week.
“King County residents are served every single day by the people who serve our nation as federal, state, county, city, and Tribal government employees – unsung heroes who do the work that keep our County and our country working,” said the Executive.
View the full proclamation here, and read the read the Executive’s employee message kicking off Public Service Recognition Week here.
Share this:
Celebrating you and your work during Public Service Recognition Week
Dear fellow King County employee,
This week we celebrate your work and the work of every public servant in King County during Public Service Recognition Week, May 7 – 13, 2023.
Your work for the people of King County matters tremendously. Public service creates positive change in our communities, even when it’s behind-the-scenes. The work you do makes a difference in the lives of so many of our residents.
Public service is as wide-ranging and varied as the places we’re from and the paths we’ve traveled. But we are all united by a desire to make this place better, for those of us who are here today and those who will follow. Public service gives us that opportunity.
Every week I meet employees from across our vast, complex organization, and their dedication and commitment to our customers is a constant inspiration to me. The diversity of perspectives, experiences, and skills that you bring to your work enables us to tackle the challenges facing our community and deliver the critical services – day in and day out – that so many people count on.
We face more challenges ahead, but they won’t stop us from pushing forward with our priorities, guided as always by our values and True North: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.
You chose a public service career because you believe in making this a better, fairer, and more welcoming place. I am grateful for your choice and grateful that you chose King County.
Sincerely,
Share this:
New PeopleSoft for Managers and Supervisors Course in NEOGOV Learn
The PeopleSoft for Managers and Supervisors on-demand course is now available on NEOGOV Learn. This course introduces managers and supervisors to the Manager Self Service module in PeopleSoft. With your NEOGOV account, you can take this course anytime and anywhere.
In this course, you will learn how King County managers and supervisors use Manager Self Service. This learning experience covers four main modules:
- Basic PeopleSoft navigation
- Commonly used Manager Self Service tiles
- The time approval process (complete with an interactive software simulation)
- Helpful tips and resources
For managers, supervisors, or those aspiring to the role, this course can be found here. Enroll now. For questions, please email BRCTraining@kingcounty.gov.
Share this:
Free crisis hotline available
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
988 offers 24/7 access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing mental health-related distress including thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, any other kind of emotional distress. Non-English Speakers can call 988 and simply say the name of your preferred language to be connected to an interpreter. People who are hearing impaired can use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.
Share this:
Mental health screening
May is Mental Health Month and it’s a good time to learn about some of the tools, programs, and resources available to support you or your loved ones.
One of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition is to take a mental health screening. Go to Mental Health America for a free screening.
Employee News 