Public Health reflects on lessons learned from COVID-19 response in summary report
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider
Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) has published an After-Action Report, summarizing key information from the first two years (January 2020 – January 2022) of PHSKC’s COVID-19 pandemic response.
The After-Action Report was created to better understand the efforts undertaken by Public Health during the COVID-19 pandemic, record the contributions and roles of those who responded, and identify ways to strengthen future responses to public health emergencies. The document captures strengths, lessons learned, and recommendations raised by stakeholders and partners.
A summary of the report is available in English, Spanish, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Korean, Russian, Somali, Tagalog, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese.
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Showing gratitude to our employee audience
Our top stories and videos for 2022
Throughout 2022, the Department of Human Resources (DHR) county-wide Employee Newsletter provided a wealth of information about employee benefits and accomplishments, learning and advancement opportunities, public health and community services, and other important news. Our Employee Communications Team also shared these stories on the KC Employee News blog, the King County Employees YouTube channel, the KCEmployees Twitter account, and the King County, WA LinkedIn account.
We want to take a moment to say we appreciate you, King County employees, for reading and viewing all this news and sharing it with your coworkers. Your engagement helps us to develop essential, detailed articles that impact your career, your families, and our community.
This past year has been another one for the books and we thank you so much for your support. To share any story ideas, suggestions, or recommendations, please email us KCEmployees@kingcounty.gov.
The 10 most-clicked Employee News newsletter stories for 2022 were:
10. King County employee performs emergency CPR on unconscious coworker
9. Get free at-home COVID-19 tests
8. Updates to mask requirements and other COVID-19 restrictions
7. Temporary subsidized daily parking starting March 1
6. At-home COVID-19 tests now covered by your medical plan
5. Juneteenth events for King County employees
4. Connecting to VPN? You’ll need to verify your identity
3. King County launches new safety plan for downtown campus
2. State retirement plan contributions change Sept. 1
1. Three required trainings must be completed this quarter
The 10 most-watched videos for 2022 were:
10. Executive Constantine thanks employees for support of Ukraine giving campaign
9. King County Employee Lunch and Learn: 2023-2024 Budget Overview
8. King County Public Health: Racism is a Public Health Crisis
7. King County 2022 Employee Engagement Survey Results
6. King County Open Enrollment – King Care Select – 2022
5. Employee Engagement Survey Action Planning
4. King County Federal Grants Subrecipient Education – Part 1 of 2
3. KCInform – King County’s employee alert and warning system
2. King County 2022 Employee Engagement Survey
1. King County Introduction to Best-run Government Organizational Change Management
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Culinary Adminstration: Recipes for Administr-eating
King County’s Administrative Professional Partners is proud to present Culinary Administration: Recipes for Administr-eating, a collection of recipes submitted by Administrative Professionals throughout King County. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this effort.
To download the cookbook, click here – and enjoy!
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Diapers from Deputies drive aids families in need
Cross-posted from Metro Matters
Once again, Metro Transit police and others in King County law enforcement stepped up during the holidays in a diaper drive to aid local families in need. The donations they collected filled several vehicles.
The drive partnered with the Salvation Army to reach families in need. Other deputies and personnel around the county likewise participated in the diaper drive. Read more.
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Progress from the foothills of the Cascades to the shorelines of Puget Sound in 2022
Cross-posted from Keeping King County Green
King County employees and partners achieved environmental successes throughout King County in 2022, in cities, unincorporated communities, and natural areas from the foothills of the Cascades to the shorelines of Puget Sound. It’s the year we clearly demonstrated what we can achieve when we fully apply the principles of Clean Water Healthy Habitat, unifying our work across divisions and initiatives to achieve better results faster for people, fish, and wildlife. Read more.
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International journal to publish Emergency Management article
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express
A paper on the King County Trusted Partner Network will be published in the international Journal of Business Continuity and Emergency Planning. Upon submission, which was by request of the publication, the article received rave reviews.
The paper, by Sheri Badger, Public Information Officer (pictured left), and Susanna Trimarco, Public Outreach Specialist, explains how the Trusted Partner Network distributes messages through the Alert King County system to various language and ethnic communities. Read more.
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Watch the inaugural edition of Equity Express: The Pet Food Bank at Regional Animal Services
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express
Equity Express, a new periodic feature showcasing equity work in Records and Licensing Services (RALS), hosted by D’Alice Craig, RALS Equity and Social Justice Change Team member.
This first segment highlights the Pet Food Bank at Regional Animal Services. Watch the video here.
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Safety Tip: Have a plan before trouble hits
Our top priority is your safety and security at work, and we are continuing to partner with law enforcement, community, and other governments to ensure a safer, more welcoming environment in and around our facilities.
This video gives tips on how to be aware about your surroundings and having an action plan in case you run into potentially troubling situations.
Check out the video and watch for additional videos with safety tips this year.
For more information on employee safety programs and resources, see the Future of Work Personal Safety at Work intranet page (employees only) and the Safety at Work page.
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Top 22 accomplishments of 2022
From connecting people with affordable housing to building a new plan to address the behavioral health crisis to providing free transit for young people to putting battery-electric buses on the road, we’ve made big progress this year.
Read all about the Top 22 accomplishments of 2022 from Executive Constantine here.
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Be prepared for wind and potential power outages
A high wind warning is in effect today, Tuesday, Dec. 27, from approximately 1 p.m. until 1 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, with a risk of power outages in King County. Here are helpful emergency preparedness resources:
Power outages: If you are teleworking and experience a power outage that affects your ability to effectively work remotely, please contact your supervisor to discuss other options for completing work tasks. These may include taking leave or working from your regular King County worksite.
If you work on site, please be prepared for winter weather. Have a plan for your commute, dress warmly, and let safety be your guide when making commute decisions. If you drive, have an emergency kit in your vehicle, including extra clothing, food, water, and a flashlight.
HR Policies: When an agency remains open, but conditions prevent you from reporting to work or from reporting on time, notify your supervisor as soon as possible. You may request leave, subject to approval by your supervisor. If you have no leave accrued, your supervisor may approve leave without pay to cover absences. Sick leave may not be used. Additionally, during inclement weather, department management may determine that a function or service can be fulfilled by an employee while telecommuting. Refer to HR Bulletin 2011-0009 County Operations During Emergency Situations and Inclement Weather (Sheriff’s Office employees refer to KCSO Inclement Weather Policy; Superior Court and District Court employees please see check court policies).
Alternative work arrangements: If you are impacted by the weather, adjusting your work schedules, working at an alternative location, or taking vacation may be options for your job. Please discuss these beforehand with your supervisor.
Stay informed: Make sure you’re getting the latest King County information at work and at home in the event of inclement weather.
- Sign up for KCInform, King County’s employee alert and warning system. KCInform is used to reach County employees during an emergency with timely information about infrastructure disruptions, facility impacts, changes in your department’s business operations, and other critical impacts. Your King County desk phone and @kingcounty.gov email are already in the system. It is important to register your County-issued cell phone (if applicable) and personal cell phone and email address to ensure you receive time-sensitive messages. This service is free, and your personal contact information is secure and protected. To sign up, please contact kcinform@kingcounty.gov anytime or 206-296-3830 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday to request your unique registration link. Visit the KCInform website to learn more or watch our short video.
- Call the Employee Hotline at 206-205-8600 (save it to your phone now!).
- Check your King County email for information on business operations, delays, and closures. Log on at http://outlook.kingcounty.gov. Some agencies may send additional instructions directly to their staff.
- Contact your supervisor for specific instructions.
- Visit the Emergency News page at kcemergency.com for regional impacts.
Resources for travelers
- Metro: Visit MetroWinter.com and Eye on Your Metro Commute, and sign up for Metro Transit Alerts (text, email, tweets via @KingCountyMetro for general information and @kcmetroalerts for transit alerts, see RSS feed via desktop or mobile RSS reader)
- Roads: Visit Roads’ Snow and Ice resources and sign up for King County Road Alerts (text, email, tweets via @kcroads)
- Water Taxi: Sign up for King County Water Taxi Alerts (text, email)
Employee News 