Posted on July 19, 2022 by

Should I wait to get my next COVID vaccination? 

Cross-posted from Public Health Insider

Have you been waiting to get a COVID booster shot or to get your child vaccinated?

Dr. Mark Del Beccaro is a pediatrician and former emergency department doctor. He now works with COVID vaccination and provides advice about the best timing for getting a COVID-19 vaccination. Read more.

Posted on July 18, 2022 by

Honoring Probation Officers and District Court staff during National Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week, July 19-25, 2022

By Meagan Terlep-Boxley, Probation Manager with King County District Court

The American Probation and Parole Association (APPA) annually celebrates over 100,000 community corrections professionals around the country who work hard to keep communities safe during National Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week. This year’s theme for the week is Restoring Trust, Creating Hope. Learn more about APPA here.

King County Probation Officers (POs) have worked extremely hard the past few years in making a huge shift to do their jobs. They have been incredibly flexible in their willingness and ability to conduct appointments and intakes virtually, and eventually transition back to meeting with their clients in person. We have encountered a few bumps- some big and some small- along the way, but our team has taken them all in stride and has continued to work effectively and efficiently.

Pictured: The King County Probation Officers team.

This year for Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week, we are excited to gather in person again for the first time in almost three years. One day during this week will be spent at a team retreat to focus on reconnecting as a team and beginning the process of building our vision for the future of our department. We will also take time to recognize and celebrate the hard work and dedication our POs show day in and day out, including being recognized by the judges with whom they each work with most regularly.

Our POs have the incredibly tough job of walking the line between prioritizing community safety while also prioritizing the recovery and progress of our clients. Each PO is so unique, and yet they all possess the common core skills of being compassionate, empathetic, dedicated, and dependable. Not only is our community a safer place because of this group, but the lives of countless individuals have been changed for the better at least in part due to their guidance and support. I am so grateful to work with such a talented, fun group of people.

Join us in recognizing our District Court officers, specialists and clerks.

Auburn Courthouse: Chris Allen, T. Chatman

Issaquah Courthouse: Kari Goode, Sam Corder, Will Rosen

Maleng Regional Justice Center: Elizabeth Owens, Miguel Montoya, Rachel Brooks-Bailey

Seattle Courthouse: J.D. Pettitz, Nicole Nyblod

Shoreline Courthouse: Annette Pooley, Lema Hackett

Regional Mental Health Court and Regional Veterans Court: Dave Alber, Heather McIntyre, Katherine Maza, Paul Stayback, Susan Butler

Posted on July 14, 2022 by

Create diagrams and flowcharts with Visio Online – now free for all King County employees

Visio is the ultimate tool for creating professional diagrams and flowcharts. Now any King County employee can access the free Visio Online app through your Office 365 portal. Visio Online offers most of the same tools and templates as the paid desktop version, allowing you to easily create flowcharts, org charts, network diagrams, and more.

Learn more by watching this video demo (28:20) from our recent KCIT Office Hours with Microsoft webinar series, or check out the Office 365: Get Started with Visio Online Skill Track in the KCIT Training Hub. For further assistance, Executive branch employees can LiveChat with the KCIT Helpdesk. Employees in separately-elected agencies should contact their department IT support.

Posted on July 14, 2022 by

5th Avenue Theatre discount tickets for Come From Away

Broadway’s Come From Away is a Best Musical winner. This inspirational, funny, and touching show celebrates humanity and being kind to one another.

King County employees can receive a 20% discount on all tickets for Sunday evening through Friday evening shows.

Book directly at www.5thavenue.org/seacity using promo code: SEACITY to purchase your tickets.

See all available employee discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.

Posted on July 14, 2022 by

Marriage boom? License requests go up

Crossposted from the DES Express

The sound of wedding bells is getting louder. King County is starting to see an increase in business for marriage licenses.

“We believe this is due to customers becoming more comfortable with our online process, couples now able to have larger get-togethers and receptions that were prohibited under COVID, and more people traveling to Seattle to have their weddings,” said recording manager Jon Scherer. “This last category is particularly interesting as we are anecdotally seeing an increase in couples coming to us from Oregon.” Read more.

Posted on July 14, 2022 by

Ballot drop box moved, now located near King Street Center

King County Elections has relocated the ballot drop box previously found at the Administration Building on Fourth Ave to near the King Street Center. The new location is in front of the Kingdome Deli on the corner of Second Ave S and S King St.

This new location will provide more direct access to a ballot drop box for the Pioneer Square area and is more conveniently located to a variety of transit options. View all drop box locations, at the King County Elections website.

Posted on July 14, 2022 by

Volunteer to close a ballot drop box for the August Primary

The Primary election is just around the corner and Elections is looking for volunteers to help close ballot drop boxes on Election Night. Under state law, ballot drop boxes close at 8 p.m. sharp on Election Day. As a volunteer drop box closer, you will be paired with Elections staff to close a drop box, provide customer service, and hand out I Voted stickers. No experience is necessary.

Election Day is Tuesday, August 2 and Elections is looking for volunteers from about 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Sign up and join us for a fun and fulfilling experience helping your neighbors experience the excitement and community of casting their ballots. Please note that this volunteer opportunity is only for current King County employees.

Have questions? Learn more here.

Posted on July 14, 2022 by

How to keep kids safe from COVID this summer: A checklist for parents

Crossposted from Public Health Insider

Summer is here, and that brings a mix of emotions for parents. Let’s be real, this year has been a dumpster fire of stress and anxiety for parents navigating the pandemic. While some may feel relief, others are facing a whole new set of questions about how to keep their kids safe from COVID-19 in settings like camps or during summer travel. When kids have less structured time, some kids may need to make more of their own health and safety choices.

No matter your plans or circumstances, we’ve put together a checklist for you to make it a little bit easier to track all the current recommendations about keeping kids protected from COVID. We hope it can make the difference between COVID spoiled plans and the summertime fun we all need and deserve. Read more.

Posted on July 14, 2022 by

Emergency Management employees save co-worker’s life

Crossposted from the DES Express

Sheri Badger, Public Information Officer for Emergency Management, is used to being behind the scenes, responding to media inquiries, writing social media posts and other content, and orchestrating regional gatherings of communicators.

But after surviving a cardiac arrest at work, thanks to the quick response of co-workers who performed Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and used an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), she agreed to share her story. Read more.

Posted on July 14, 2022 by

July is BIPOC Mental Health Month

Established in 2008 in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell, the formally recognized National Minority Mental Health Awareness month was created to bring awareness to the unique mental health struggles that underrepresented groups in the U.S. experience. Anyone can experience mental health challenges; they do not discriminate based on race, age, gender, or identity. At the same time, one’s background and identities can present unique experiences, specific barriers, and opportunities to get support. Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and underrepresented communities face additional barriers including structural racism, access to quality care, and cultural stigmas.

This year Mental Health America is going #BeyondtheNumbers with a BIPOC Mental Health Month Toolkit. Join Balanced You and Mental Health America, and together we will gain knowledge of historical context, systems of support, and actionable ways to move forward toward a mentally healthy future.

Read more here about how to support yourself and your community with mental health resources and worksheets.

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