King County is working to enhance safety for employees and has launched several new and expanded initiatives to make workplaces, building, and structures safer. These include:

• Enhanced security presence: We’re increasing security presence in the King County courthouse and other county buildings. Additional officers will be patrolling inside and outside the Courthouse and providing an enhanced security presence within entire the downtown campus.
• Employee-only restrooms: Some restrooms are being designated for employee use only and will only be accessible with a keycard or code. Work began this week on a two-phase effort to install keycard locks, with Phase 1 involving installation of push button cypher locks (codes will be distributed to staff, anticipated completion by August 23), and Phase 2 involving preparation of electrical distribution and doors, and installation of card readers (6–8-week timeline for procurement and installation).
• Security escort program: Upon request, the County provides security in downtown Seattle for individuals moving between their workplace and their commute. Facilities Management Division security can escort you for several blocks from the building you work in, from downtown buildings to Goat Hill Garage or immediate vicinity bus stops. Please contact the emergency dispatch center at 206-296-5000 to arrange for a security escort whether coming in to work or leaving work. Advance notice for a Security Escort is appreciated.
• Security Assessment: The County is engaging a professional security firm specializing in physical security for a rapid security assessment of the downtown campus and to recommend further improvements. It is expected to be a 30-day deliverable once a contract is signed.

Additional programs and resources are also available to employees, and further actions are under review. You can find more information on our Personal Safety at Work section of our Future of Work site (employee access only).

Originally posted by Washington Courts

The Washington State Board for Judicial Administration (BJA) recently presented the Innovating Justice Awards to King County Superior Court Judge Judith Ramseyer for leadership in shepherding new programs that work on access and equity problems in the courts such as those involving eviction cases, court filings by prisoners, examining racial justice issues, and more.

The Innovating Justice Awards were established in late 2020 by the BJA to recognize leadership during the COVID crisis that promotes judicial branch innovation as well as responsiveness to racial equity and access to justice issues.

“There is a lot to be concerned about right now, but there’s also a lot to be thankful for,” said Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven González, who serves as co-chair of the BJA. “It is important to pause and celebrate branch members who are dedicated and innovative in solving problems.”

King County Superior Court Judge Judith Ramseyer received this award for tireless leadership on access to justice, racial equity and court recovery throughout the pandemic era. Judge Ramseyer became president of the Superior Court Judges’ Association (SCJA) just as the pandemic and a nationwide racial reckoning were taking hold.

The letter from multiple judicial branch leaders nominating her for the award said, “In 2020, following the killing of George Floyd, she penned a passionate letter to the SCJA membership regarding the courts’ responsibility in ensuring race equity. She requested that each SCJA standing committee actively consider how race equity and access to justice could be addressed within the scope of committee work and asked that each report back. She created and took a leadership role in the new SCJA Racial Justice Work Group and assisted in standing up the new statewide Racial Justice Consortium.

Judge Ramseyer also organized a statewide training entitled, Advocating for Justice: What’s a Judge to Do?, in collaboration with the Commission on Judicial Conduct to examine the role for judicial officers in addressing race equity. Under her leadership, the SCJA convened a Protection Order Work Group to address streamlining and modernizing protection order processes, improving litigant access to the courts.

Judge Ramseyer formed the SCJA Unlawful Detainer [Eviction] Work Group in early June 2020 to develop judicial resources that would enhance access to justice for all parties when the eviction moratorium ended. She was one of the key visionaries promoting the development of the Eviction Resolution Program which has now became authorized statewide. She helped advocate for implementation of a statewide text messaging program that will help reduce the number of warrants issued for missed court appearances.

Judge Ramseyer has, unfailingly, led the charge and done all that can be done to advocate for our courts and for access to justice in a time when unforeseeable challenges made business as usual literally impossible. She took phone calls from airplanes, appeared for meetings during her one vacation, and answered each and every email coming in droves every single day. Her work, in partnership with others, led to remarkable outcomes which served the overall interests of the SCJA and the system of justice itself.”

A newly created intranet site, The Future of Work, is King County’s employee resource website for all information and tools to help employees return to work. The section, Workstations, IT, and Office Use, provides employees who are working on-site with guidance on hybrid working models, shared work spaces, office necessities, and file management.

King County departments with employees on-site and working remotely can continue to use Teams to connect and collaborate from wherever they’re working. IT solutions are available to ensure all employees are successful in this new hybrid work environment and achieve a positive work/life balance.

Regarding shared workspaces, KCIT is developing a new tool for scheduling a shared workstation initially in the Chinook Building and King Street Center. This reservation systems will be web-based and customized for each department to help secure workspaces for returning employees. ​​​​​ Facilities Management Division (FMD) is working with departments and agencies to design specific spaces for use.

Employees should also plan to bring their laptop, headset, and power supply for both, as most workspaces will only offer a docking station, one monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse. Cubicles will be equipped with electronic sit/stand desks and chairs. Printers and scanners will be available for employees to connect with, and spaces to store and lock away personal items in shared desks/workspaces will be available.

Finally, employees are encouraged to rely on digitized records and digital processes wherever possible, instead of taking paper files to their home for work. County records are public records and must be retained and made accessible to the public in accordance with state laws. Compliance with these laws is not possible when employees take public records home and puts sensitive information at risk. Employees with concerns about performing their job duties with digital files are asked to contact their Agency Records Officer or reach out to the Records Management Program at recordsmanagement@kinggounty.gov.

For more information about this process and how King County is addressing services and operations beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, visit the Future of Work intranet site.

King County employees may see activity in and around City Hall Park this week as a County and City-funded contractor called the JustCARE program will be in the park assisting people living there to move voluntarily to safer and more sustainable shelter options. This follows several weeks of successful individualized outreach with the persons living in the park and a partnership with the City of Seattle in identifying safer shelter options.

Background

• King County Executive Constantine proposed and the County Council enacted a “COVID-7” supplemental budget in May that included funds for a contractor to provide outreach, engagement, and hotel-based shelter to persons living in City Hall Park. 
• During June, King County conducted a Request for Proposal process and in early July awarded the Public Defender Association (PDA) a contract—jointly funded with the City of Seattle—to provide engagement, case planning, and hotel sheltering services. PDA’s program is called JustCARE and is a partnership with several other outreach, shelter and behavioral health providers.
• The JustCARE team began engagement and case planning for the 50+ persons living in City Hall Park in July and has developed individual safety and shelter plans to support the individuals as they voluntarily move to shelter.
• City Hall Park is located between 3rd Avenue and 4th Avenue in Seattle, just south of the King County Courthouse.

The County’s and City’s approach tests a partnership between government and non-profit agencies to assist people in voluntarily leaving encampments and seeking safer shelter in leased hotels or other settings. This work has been underway for several weeks as skilled providers conducted individual engagement and created individualized plans as part of a strategy to help people leave an encampment for healthier and more supported settings without asking residents to simply move on to another unsupported location.

We look forward to improving conditions for people who have been living unsheltered within City Hall Park, and to changing conditions in and around the park for employees and other residents. County employees should be aware that there may be increased traffic and activity in and around the park as people living there begin transitioning to safer and more appropriate locations.

Following the transition of individuals to more stable shelter, the City of Seattle has indicated it will close City Hall Park in mid-August for restoration.

King County is committed to continuously improving safety at workplaces, in downtown Seattle, and throughout our county for all employees, residents, and businesses, and on Metro vehicles.

We’re also engaging with employees for their perspectives and recommendations for how to improve safety at work. The County is taking immediate action on some of these suggestions to make workplaces safer, including:

• Increased security: Boosting security in the courthouse and other King County buildings
• Employee-only restrooms: Some restrooms are being designated for employees only and can only be accessed with a keycard or code
• Security escort program: Upon request, the County provides security in downtown Seattle for individuals moving between their workplace and their commute. Information is available on our “Staying Safe at Work” webpage.
• Security analysis: The County is working with a security consultant to undertake a security audit of the downtown campus and to recommend further improvements.

Metro, through its Recovery Planning Team process, has received a comprehensive list of immediate needs to enhance safety and security for Metro operators, and is working quickly to resource and implement a number of these recommendations. Every day of the week Metro security officers ride services that have the highest rates of non-compliance with Metro’s code of conduct to encourage and support compliance and act as a deterrent.

The County is also working with Labor partners to identify other changes and access points to buildings, facilities and vehicles. More details on these and other changes will be available soon.

In addition, several other safety options and programs are available to employees:

• 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.
• 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.

All employees deserve to feel safe, supported, and welcome at work, and we are reviewing additional options with our partners to create a safer work environment for all. If you have questions ideas, please contact kcemployees@kingcounty.gov.

As King County recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re working together across departments to ensure our community can revive and thrive together in the future.

On May 25, the King County Council passed Executive Constantine’s seventh COVID-19 supplemental budget, funded in part by the American Rescue Plan. The total budget includes more than $631 million in community investments focused on food security, rental support, vaccinations, economic recovery, arts and culture, and more.

As part of the rollout, the Executive’s Office worked with KCIT’s Design & Civic Engagement team to create the “Revive & Thrive Together” campaign and visual brand to ensure residents see a unified effort across county departments.

So far, outreach efforts incorporating the Revive & Thrive Together campaign include the Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Program and the Small Business Assistance Program.

Revive & Thrive Together also includes proposals to use the campaign and visual identity on signage, apparel, social media and more.

View the Revive & Thrive Together Style Guide to learn more.

Questions about suitability of specific marketing and branding efforts can be directed to the Executive’s Office communications team at Chase.Gallagher@kingcounty.gov.

Questions about custom design and branding options can be directed to the KCIT Design & Civic Engagement visual design team at kcitdcevisualdesign@kingcounty.gov.