King County takes part in Women in Trades Fair
Several King County departments participated in last Friday’s Women in Trades Fair at Seattle Center. Hear from two Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) employees – operators Alyssa Moreno and Kylie Turner – about their experiences in their jobs and working at WTD.
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Congratulations to the Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards winners
Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards, which honor employees and workgroups at King County who bring a Best-Run Government approach to their work, and have made exceptional contributions in performance, leadership, and innovation.
In a series of videos, several King County leaders, including King County Executive Dow Constantine, announced the recipients of the eight Performance Excellence Awards: five innovation awards – people, cost, service, sustainability, and equity and social justice – and three leadership awards – for people leaders, individual contributors, and the Fred Jarrett Leadership Excellence Award for senior leaders.
“The awards honor individuals and teams who demonstrate creativity, innovation, and problem solving in their work,” Executive Constantine said in his introduction to the awards. “They recognize employees who constantly strive for continuous improvement and can point to measurable results. And they celebrate colleagues who model our values and bring a Best-Run Government approach to their work.” See the announcement and watch the videos here.
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Exciting employee discounts available this summer
King County employees can take advantage of many exclusive discounts this summer. These include stays at Great Wolf Lodge, visits to Woodland Park Zoo, home buying classes and information, gym memberships, different mobile phone plans, and more.
To view all available employee discounts, visit www.kingcounty.gov/employeediscounts.
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Mental health resources: Employee Assistance Program
For Mental Health Month, Balanced You is highlighting mental health resources to help employees in times of need. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free and confidential county resource that provides county employees with counseling and coaching around work related concerns and problems, including:
- Workplace stress
- Coaching and consulting
- Conflict with co-workers
- Supervisor support
- Opportunities and changes in the workplace
EAP is for employees only. To make an appointment with an EAP counselor, call 206-263-8733, or email HRDEAP@kingcounty.gov. An EAP counselor will respond to you within 24 hours.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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