COVID-19 and general vaccination information for children and babies
Crossposted from Best Starts for Kids
Best Starts wants all children and babies to stay healthy, safe, and protected from COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. With fall and back-to-school season just around the corner, this information can help answer common COVID-19 vaccination questions and make sure children are up to date on vaccinations required by school, preschool, and child care programs. Share this information with families you know! Read more.
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Free clinics to check immunizations off your back-to-school list
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
It happens every summer – you blink once, and it’s already back-to-school season. Before that first day rolls around, make sure your child is fully up-to-date on vaccinations required for school so they can stay healthy, thriving, and ready to learn. This year, it’s easier than ever to get caught up on vaccines at one of many back-to-school clinics in south King County.
Where can my child get vaccines required for school?
Your child’s healthcare provider is always a good place to start. But if there are no appointments available or if you don’t have a provider, we’ve got options! Numerous walk-in clinics are on tap in the coming weeks, hosted by Stepping Stone Pediatrics, Seattle Children’s Hospital/Odessa Brown Clinic, and MultiCare. Find a Clinic in Seattle, Renton, Federal Way, or Auburn. Vaccines at these clinics are free and you don’t need insurance or proof of immigration status. You may be asked to provide insurance information, but you won’t be charged and no one will be turned away for lack of insurance. Read more.
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Video and transcript: Media briefing on Monkeypox and COVID-19
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
King County Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin held a media briefing on Aug. 9, 2022, to share information about local outbreaks of monkeypox and COVID-19. Read more.
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ARFF EMTs get hands-on training
Did you know that all Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF) employees at King County International Airport are Emergency Medical Technicians? And that they all take quarterly training to maintain their EMT certification?
“ARFF provides many critical services to the employees, tenants, and visitors of the airport,” said ARFF Chief Greg Thomas. “They take pride in keeping those skills sharpened.”
The most recent training took place June 29 and July 6. Topics included Epinephrine injection for anaphylactic shock, donning/doffing medical personal protective equipment (PPE), infectious disease prevention, and a “full-dress rehearsal” of a simulated cardiac arrest.
During the training scenario, ARFF deputies practiced radio procedures to summon mutual aid support, coordination with Airport Operations, and most important: high-quality CPR with an automated external defibrillator (AED).
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Business Impact NW: Introducing Devra Gartenstein as the new King County Farm Business Support Specialist
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green
King County farms and related businesses will soon have professional support to boost their operations through Business Impact NW, an organization dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurs through coaching, classes, and access to capital.
As the new King County Farm Business Support Specialist, Devra Gartenstein will provide direct one-on-one navigation and coaching for King County farm and food business owners through the Business Impact NW’s Food Business Resource Center (FBRC), which is expanding with the support of King Conservation District. Read more.
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Major improvements happening at West Point Treatment Plant
Over the next 10 years, King County will invest more than $660 million at West Point Treatment Plant in projects that will protect worker and public safety, and the environment. Learn more in the KCTV video below.
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Celebrate Farmers Market Week and find variety at King County farmers markets
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green
Farmers markets across King County are at their most vibrant as we head into the last push of summer and the fall harvest season. This is prime time for vegetable variety and to take home summer’s finest produce. Farmers Market Week, Aug. 7-13, is a great reason to get to a market and support local farmers and growers.
Read more and view a full list of the 2022 King County Farmers Markets here.
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Now Recruiting 2022 Employee Giving Program Ambassadors
Crossposted from KC Employee Giving
Bring a little inspiration to your day and build connection with your team by signing up to be an Ambassador.
The Employee Giving Program is now recruiting King County Employees to serve as an Ambassadors for this year’s Annual Giving Drive to their work groups/sites.
As an Ambassador, you are the heart and soul of our Employee Giving Program team. We can NOT run this program and support so many great causes without you. Last year that resulted in $2.39 million! You are the key to making sure that every King County employee has the chance to connect to a cause they care about through the program. Read more.
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Meet King County Parks’ new Youth Conservation Corps
Meet the new crew members of the Youth Conservation Corps that are improving parks while providing environmental learning opportunities for BIPOC youth.
The summer internship gives teens hands-on experience with the hope of inspiring them to consider careers in recreation management and environmental protection.
Watch the video below to learn more.
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Temporary subsidized daily parking ends Sept. 2
(Updated August 25, 2022)
The temporary subsidized parking program of half the employee cost of parking at the Goat Hill Parking Garage and King Street Center Garage will end Sept. 2, 2022.
Effective Sept. 3, 2022 the full daily rate of $20 will be in effect. Employees who wish to park for a full day at either of these garages will pay a $20 daily rate with their employee ID Card. You can find complete hourly rates here.
Employees who receive paid parking as provided in their collective bargaining agreements will continue to do so after this date, per the terms of the agreement.
Employees who would like to enroll in monthly parking should read and complete a King County Employee Parking Application. The agreement details all available options, as well as employee garage parking policies. Completed applications should be submitted to FMD Parking Operations (fmdpo@kingcounty.gov) for processing.
If you are currently enrolled as a subsidized monthly parker via payroll deduction and want to continue under the standard rates, you will need to re-apply for monthly parking access. All current deductions and parking access will expire on August 31. The parking application is available on SharePoint.
As a reminder, your employee ID/ORCA card covers your fare on public transportation services. See the Employee Transportation Program webpage for a current list of services that accept your employee ID/ORCA card as fare payment.
If you have any questions about employee parking, please visit this page. You may also contact FMD Parking Services at fmdpo@kingcounty.gov.
Commute programs available to King County employees
In addition to transit options available through the ID/ORCA Card, King County employees have a range of options for a safer commute, including:
- Walking Bus: With the “Walking Bus” pilot program, county employees can join their colleagues and a Facilities Management Division (FMD) Security Escort each evening walking to the King Street Station and the Colman Dock from the downtown campus. In this initial pilot phase, two dedicated security escorts will depart daily, Monday-Friday, from the King County Courthouse one to the King Street Station and one to the Colman Dock ferry terminal. To King Street Station – Depart 4th Avenue Entrance at 4:40 p.m. To Colman Dock – Depart 4th Avenue Entrance at 5:05 p.m. Learn more.
- Walkpooling: Walkpools is a program where you can walk to and from work with a buddy. The program is available whether you walk long distances, walk early in the morning or late in the evening, or have to navigate transit stations. Check out our video or visit the Employee Transportation Program website for more information.
- VanPool: Join an existing group or start your own—five members gets you on the road! Everything is covered. Your monthly fare includes the van, gas, insurance, maintenance, roadside assistance, plus a guaranteed ride home. See how you can join a Vanpool.
- VanShare: Vanshare is your first/last mile solution to getting to and from bus, ferry, commuter and light rail or vanpool—and for getting the last mile or so to your worksite or school destination from your transit stop. VanShares are placed at the end of a trip – e.g. for people getting off the Sounder who walk over to King Street Center garage and get into a Vanpool vehicle that takes them to their worksite. These can be set up with five or more people who want to travel together. This is the quickest solution to get started and King County covers the entire cost for King County employees, except parking. Learn more.
- Goat Hill Garage Tunnel: For employees working in certain buildings, the tunnel from the Goat Hill Garage can be used to access the Chinook Building, the Administration Building, and the Courthouse, avoiding surface streets.
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