DAJD Managers Give Their Thoughts On Anti-racism Workshops
Crossposted from Roll Call: the DAJD newsletter January 2021
Managers and supervisors at the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) attended pro-equity workshops in December. Anita Whitfield, King County’s Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, led the virtual sessions. There’s more to come: DAJD is making equity and social justice literacy a core competency for all department leaders.
“The goal of the workshop was to begin the conversation and was designed to set the stage for leadership to recognize and interrupt counterproductive behavior while supporting those who are harmed,” according to Angela Toussaint, Strategic Planning Manager. She added, “I was inspired by the participants’ willingness to be open to new information and vulnerable enough to share their experiences and look forward to our journey.”
Read more comments from other participants.
Ed Carter, Chief of Operations, Community Corrections Division (CCD)
“Any time you talk about race relations, it’s a very difficult conversation to have. You have to start somewhere. Coming from the top, it was a great start. It was interactive. It was good to hear from people. But I don’t think a conversation like that can start out too deep. It was an inviting conversation.
“The times we are in have basically allowed this issue to be brought out. Addressing the elephant in the room is difficult to do – at the same time you have to give people privacy and respect.
“When people come in the door, they should have some expectations. There should be ongoing training, then it becomes the department culture, which is difficult in a department as large as ours, and as diverse.”
Ashley Mareld, Juvenile Programs Manager, Children and Family Justice Center (CFJC)
“I’ve tried to educate myself on race and equity, where racial injustice stems from and how it impacts communities of color. I think the workshop was a good way to open up the dialogue to staff who have not started that journey, particularly white staff. I definitely think there was some reluctance.
“I was happy to see how many of our co-workers of color felt safe enough to share their own experiences.
“I committed to talking to my white peers about white privilege. During a small team meeting about race in the workplace, it led to a great, supportive discussion.”
Cmdr. Edwin Bautista, Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC)
“Having that training on video, not being able to see the reactions, that was difficult. Those types of discussions are better-suited for a big room, in a circle.
“It’s a good discussion, I just think it needs to be more inclusive.”
Capt. Jerry Hardy, Court Detail
“I think the course was a good way to start people talking about whether there are racial issues in our department. However, I don’t think pushing it down to the troops in that manner is going to work. I think the training they need is to be in the room with each other and to look each other in the eyes and get to know how they feel. And I don’t think this type of training can be done online. As we go further down the chain of command, we need to make people think: Where am I in this picture? How do we mend fences?
“But in the past four years, race has become a big issue because of the way our president has put things out. And things that normally wouldn’t be said have been said. They’re offensive to people and others don’t understand why they are offensive. The divide we see in our nation is here in the department.
“We are one department and the only way we can get back to being successful with each other is to discuss together what the issues are and how we relate to these issues as officers. It is a tough conversation, but one that needs to be had.”
Maj. Troy Bacon, King County Correctional Facility (KCCF)
“There was good open, dialogue. There were some breakout periods to have open discussions and bring them back to the larger group. It seemed like everybody had the ability to participate. I think there will continue to be education, open dialogue and the ability for everybody to learn and grow, learning to treat everybody as individuals. And working on being able to forgive and being honest with one another.
“Our behavior impacts others. It’s important to understand that we’re all in this together as a team.”
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Recording meetings and calls in Teams is available once again!
As King County completes the change from Skype to Teams, we want to remind users of our general County policies for recording meetings and calls.
Here are a few things we need everyone to be aware of:
First, we’re a two-party consent state. What does that mean? It means the person making a recording must tell others he or she is doing so.
- Just as in Skype, when you’re on a computer and a meeting or a call is being recorded, a banner will appear across the top of your meeting window. Look for it!
- If you’re calling into a meeting from a cell phone or a landline, you’ll receive an audio notification when recording is underway.
Meeting and call recordings are considered public records.
- As such, they must be managed in accordance with records retention and disposition laws
- Additionally, recordings are subject to all public disclosure laws.
- For any records management questions, please contact the King County Records Management Program: records.management@kingcounty.gov, or 206 477-6889.
Meeting and call recordings are stored in OneDrive and SharePoint. Here are instructions for how to access recordings and how to restrict who can record.
Reminder: The best practice is to always tell other parties if a call or meeting is being recorded, and to treat any recordings as public records.
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Cmdr. Corinna Hyatt retires after 30-plus years at DAJD
Crossposted from Roll Call: the DAJD newsletter January 2021
Corinna Hyatt first set foot inside the King County Correctional Facility as a volunteer. In the late 1980s, her full-time job was at the downtown Seattle YMCA. After a few months helping inmates with physical fitness, a jail supervisor suggested she apply for a corrections job.
More than 31 years later, she retired – as leader of DAJD’s COVID-19 Incident Command and the recently departed MRJC facility Commander.
At a low-key going-away ceremony in December, Director John Diaz called her “one of the best leaders I have ever seen” during 40 years in law enforcement.
WHAT’S BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR CAREER?
I have had lots of challenges throughout my career. With every challenge you deal with and overcome, it just prepares you better for the next challenge. I thrive on it. Of every role I’ve served, being the Incident Commander for our COVID response ranks amongst the top. On March 4, 2020, I received a call from Director Diaz that he needed me to activate DAJD’s Incident Command Center, organize a team and lead the planning and preparations needed in response to the pandemic. I was excited for the opportunity. Had I not been tapped for the job, I likely would have been sitting at the MRJC frustrated.
WHAT EVENTS OR ASSIGNMENTS STAND OUT?
As an officer and defensive tactics master instructor, it was developing DAJD’s defensive tactics training program, and seeking funding for annual in-service training. As the Maintenance and Supply (M&S) sergeant, I audited the armory and discovered there were 117 weapons unaccounted for and no reliable, accountable systems existed to responsibly track department property or security keys. This required my team to develop key control and a quartermaster systems and policies that still exist today.
In 1999, the WTO riots were very challenging for many of us. I was part of the incident command team and one of my responsibilities as a sergeant was perimeter security. We were sometimes working 16- and 18-hour days and sleeping on-site.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation was also very challenging. Shortly after being promoted as the KCCF Major, DAJD received notice that KCCF was under investigation by the DOJ in four major areas. As the operations lead, our team developed policies, implemented new practices, and trained our staff to the new standards. In less than three years, we reached a settlement agreement and met the obligations. It was the subject matter experts inside the jail who made that happen. Most of the issues called out by the DOJ were previously raised by staff for things like more training, equipment and resources.
WHAT’S YOUR BEST ADVICE FOR DAJD EMPLOYEES?
To get home in one piece. For our work, we have so many rules, regulations, policies and procedures to follow, training to get done and always lots of work, but the most important thing is to make sure that we’re taking care of ourselves and each other. Stay positive. Don’t fight with each other, support and respect one another. Nobody understands our job better than those who are on the job or those who have done it.
IS IT HARD TO ADAPT TO CHANGE?
I giggle a bit when people say change is difficult in our environment. Change is constant in our environment. And not just in our environment, in our industry. I suspect that our people adapt better than most organizations be-cause we are constantly changing. I’ve worked for 17 directors in my 31-plus years. In the past 6.5 years as a jail commander, I’ve worked for three.
DID BEING A WOMAN MAKE YOUR CAREER HERE MORE DIFFICULT?
I don’t even know where to start there. I’ve always been very competitive, which is likely the result of being the youngest of five kids with older brothers. So I learned at a young age that if you wanted to play, you had to be tough-minded. There were clearly some individuals who may not have wanted me to succeed, for whatever reasons. Staff who know me and have worked with me know I don’t like wasting time on “haters, crappers and naysayers.” As a senior manager, I dealt with those situations as necessary, but the majority of my focus remained on advancing talented staff and good initiatives, and there was always plenty of both.
HAS THE LANDSCAPE CHANGED FOR WOMEN HERE SINCE YOU BEGAN?
When I first started, I could probably count on one hand how many young women like myself were in the organization. I haven’t lost sight that I’m the first woman to promote to the rank of Facility Commander who promoted through the rank and file. Based on our talented workforce, I am not likely to be the last. Today we’re a very diverse organization at every level.
WHAT ARE YOUR PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS HERE?
Training and organizational development. Over the years, we’ve built an infrastructure for training, policy, and investigations, and acquired resources necessary to ensure ongoing development for policy and training. All of these systems are necessary to ensure there is ongoing training and development, and focus on organizational development and succession planning. That’s something I never saw as a young officer or sergeant. Training should be continuous throughout any employee’s career. It’s my hope that the County will continue to focus on succession planning to develop future jail leaders. The reality is, succession planning should not start when you have a vacancy.
WHAT WILL YOU LOOK FORWARD TO DOING AFTER RETIREMENT?
Moving forward, my wonderful husband of 26 years and I are looking forward to spending more time with each other, our amazing children, family and friends. We look forward to more fly-fishing, golf, snowboarding and travel, and plan to fully enjoy the next chapter of our lives.
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Executive Constantine outlines top priorities for 2021
King County Executive Dow Constantine has shared the top priorities he is focused on in 2021 and beyond.
“While 2021 has begun with new challenges, it is crucial that we continue to push ahead with our priorities and solutions with a sense of renewed urgency and action,” Executive Constantine said. “I am proud of everything we have accomplished together, and I am excited about what’s possible and what’s needed on our path ahead.”
Executive Constantine listed his top priorities as:
- Health through Housing
- COVID-19 Response & Vaccination
- COVID-19 Recovery
- Anti-racism and pro-equity
- Environment
- Law & Justice
- Metro’s COVID-19 Recovery
- The Future of Work at King County
- The Sheriff’s Office transition
- Best Starts for Kids renewal.
To advance these priorities, Executive Constantine has appointed a sponsor to lead each of them who is responsible for ensuring the delivery of these initiatives and escalating issues to him, as necessary.
“We have much work ahead of us and I am grateful that I can count on you as we advance solutions that will help our communities recover and our people thrive,” Executive Constantine said.
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Update your life insurance beneficiaries
Life and disability insurance are important to those who depend on you for financial security. Survivor benefits provide financial assistance in your absence.
It’s important to review and keep your beneficiaries up to date for the life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage you have through King County. By designating a beneficiary, you ensure the person of your choice receives the proceeds.
If you have not designated beneficiaries, you will be receiving two emails and a home mailer from the life and AD&D insurance plan manager, Securian Financial, the parent company of Minnesota Life. Please do not discard these messages. Rather, take action to ensure your life insurance and AD&D benefits are paid according to your wishes and without delay.
If you already selected beneficiaries, here’s how you can review your current designations:
- Go to LifeBenefits.com
- Enter your User ID: KCO followed by your employee ID number (PeopleSoft ID). For example, if your employee ID is 000012345, enter KCO000012345. Your employee ID number can be found on your King County pay advice.
- Password: You set this password on your initial visit to the site. If you have never designated a beneficiary, Securian will be sending you your initial password.
To learn more, go to Naming a Beneficiary. For assistance, call Securian at 877-494-1754.
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A roadmap for Clean Water Healthy Habitat
A major milestone is in the books for Clean Water Healthy Habitat, King County Executive Dow Constantine’s environmental initiative launched in September 2019 to better align the outstanding work we do throughout King County government to achieve better results faster for all living things in King County.
Executive Constantine last month announced completion of the Clean Water Healthy Habitat Strategic Plan (SharePoint link), saying it was shaped by expert employee advice that strengthened the strategic plan and turned an aspirational concept into a roadmap with clear direction and measurable goals.
“I am immensely proud of the inspiring work that our professionals do each day to protect water quality and habitat in our region,” Executive Constantine said. “Clean Water Healthy Habitat is an opportunity to unite our efforts – in wastewater, stormwater, land conservation, fish passage, habitat restoration, and more – to produce results at a watershed level within a single generation rather than next century.”
Employees are invited to check out the strategic plan, which is based on these principles:
- Just as we do in all our work, we will ensure that each action we take and each investment we make helps dismantle the systemic racism that persists here in King County. When we protect water quality, preserve green space, plant trees, restore habitat, and de-pave surfaces, we will act first in the BIPOC communities where the need is greatest.
- We will capitalize on the intellectual firepower our region is known for around the world, including the trusted scientists we have on our staff. We will base our decisions on the latest advancements in science and technology so we can address the greatest threats to water quality and habitat today.
- We will break the silos between departments and divisions so that we have a cohesive approach that produces results at a regionwide scale rather than individual actions focused on narrow outcomes.
Executive Constantine encourages employees to seize this opportunity to challenge the status quo, to embrace innovation, to offer creative solutions, and to transform the way we operate so we can deliver the best results sooner for the people, salmon, and orcas of King County and Puget Sound.
If you have questions about the initiative, check out the Clean Water Healthy Habitat website or contact Environmental Affairs Officer Abby Hook.
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COVID-19 Child Care Reimbursement Program now available
A new temporary program will provide $500 to $5,000 tax-free to those in the Regular Employee Benefits Group to reimburse them for child care provided during the 2020/2021 school year.
The COVID-19 Child Care Reimbursement Program was created by King County management and unions in the Joint Labor Management Insurance Committee (JLMIC) in response to the overwhelming impacts of COVID-19 on working parents. It is funded with $9M from the Protected Fund Reserve of the JLMIC.
Who can participate?
If you are enrolled in the Regular Employee Benefits Plan, you can be reimbursed for child care expenses provided for children 12 or younger and children 13 or older with documented special needs, such as a diagnosed medical disability or an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This includes your children, stepchildren, foster children, or children for whom you are the legal guardian.
For complete details, go to Eligible employees and children.
How the program works
- You pay for covered services, then submit a claim with receipts to the program administrator at Navia Benefit Solutions or use a paper claim form.
- The total available reimbursement amount ranges from $500 to $5,000 per child and is based on your King County income. Employees who earn lower salaries or wages are eligible to receive higher payments. If you earn less than $80,00 per year, you may receive up to the program maximum of $5,000 per child. If you earn more than $80,000, you are eligible for lower amounts. Log in to Navia Benefit Solutions to see your maximum eligible reimbursement amount.
- Child care services provided from Sept. 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, are eligible for reimbursement.
- Covered expenses include payments to both licensed and unlicensed child care providers, including preschools, school-age programs, nannies, au pairs, tutors, extended family members (such as, an aunt, uncle, or grandparent), friends, and neighbors. For details about what’s covered, go to Eligible Expenses.
Program dates
- Child care expenses incurred during the 2020-2021 school year, Sept. 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021, are eligible for reimbursement.
- The program ends on the earlier of the following dates:
- June 30, 2021
- The date that program funding is exhausted
- The date that the federally-declared national disaster for COVID-19 ends
- For details and claims submission deadlines, go to Program dates.
If you have eligible children covered on your King County medical plan, you should receive a welcome email this week from Navia Benefit Solutions with account access and claim submission instructions. Employees who don’t have a King County email address will receive a letter in the mail.
For additional information about this program, go to the COVID-19 child care reimbursement program webpage or contact the King County Benefits Team at KC Benefits or 206-684-1556.
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Panel discussion on understanding ableism, Jan. 21
The King County Disability Consortium is hosting an online community discussion on ableism, the intersection of racism and disability, and where there is still work to do.
Understanding Ableism: Nothing About Us, Without Us is an informative panel discussion on how people with disabilities/disabled people define ableism and how it shows up in their own lives.
The panel will also discuss the intersection of disability and other marginalized identities, especially race, other people’s role in combating ableism, how disability justice meshes with other civil rights issues and ways we can all support our collective work. The online event takes place on Zoom on Thursday, Jan. 21, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and you can register here. Your attendance is voluntary, and employees will not be compensated or receive overtime for participating. ASL and CART are provided. For other accessibility considerations, please email events@disabilitypride.org.
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Please join me today, Jan. 14, for MLK Day Celebration
Dear fellow King County employee,
I am writing to invite you to the 2021 King County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration today, Thursday, Jan. 14, from noon to 1 p.m.
While public health guidance won’t allow us to gather in person this year, I, along with the MLK Celebration Planning Committee, the Black/African Affinity Group, the Native American Leadership Council, and Council Chair Claudia Balducci, are hoping that you will join us to honor the life and legacy of our County’s namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This year’s event comes at a time when Dr. King’s challenge to America to grow up and grow out of its stunted adolescence and live up to its promise should be ringing loudly in all our ears and guiding our every action. It also comes at a time of hope and opportunity, when the calls for racial justice and an end to systematic racism have finally been heard; when we are accelerating our equity and social justice work, and reorienting our priorities, policies, and budget in order to meet our True North – a welcoming King County where all people can thrive.
I am committed to using my position to advance this critical work, pressing harder to implement the transformational pro-equity and racial justice work that we have begun here in Martin Luther King Jr. County. On the heels of 2020, a year like none of us has ever witnessed, we must move with urgency to truly honor and continue the work of Dr. King.
I am honored and proud to have Dr. Ben Danielson join us as our keynote speaker at the 2021 Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. Dr. Danielson is a staunch advocate for the health and well-being of children and families, especially those with low incomes. He is a nationally recognized leader on health equity and dismantling systems that continue to perpetuate harm, particularly toward low-income and Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities. He is a clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington. For 20 years, he served as the medical director of Seattle Children’s Hospital’s Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic, based out of Seattle’s Central District, a historically Black neighborhood. He also helped found the Washington Medical-Legal Partnership, which trains doctors to recognize when societal forces outside the examination room contribute to health problems. Dr. Danielson continues to have profound impact on our county’s equity work through Best Starts for Kids and the Children and Youth Advisory Board.
I also look forward to honoring Gerald W. Donaldson, a Family Support Worker at Leschi Elementary School and recipient of the First Annual Larry Gossett Service Award which honors former Councilmember Gossett’s service to the people of King County. His leadership exemplifies the values and work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
To join our celebration, please visit the 2021 King County MLK Celebration website today, Thursday, Jan. 14, from noon to 1 p.m. You can also tune into KCTV Channels 22 and 322 (HD) at noon today.
Please stay strong and stay safe and plan to join us for this important event where we will honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his values, and ongoing legacy in our community and work.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
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Teleworking employees impacted by power outages
Dear employee,
Power outages are affecting some employees’ ability to effectively work remotely today.
If you are unable to telework effectively today, please contact your supervisor to discuss other options for completing work tasks today. These may include taking leave or working from your regular King County worksite for today only.
If you are currently teleworking and have an operational need to work at your regular King County worksite today, please obtain supervisor approval. If you do have to go into an office area, please ensure you wear a mask over your nose and mouth, and continue to follow all current guidance to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, including staying at least six feet away from others, limiting activities outside the home, avoiding crowds, and washing hands often.
NOTE: This guidance applies to Executive Branch employees who are currently telecommuting. Employees in other branches of County government (definitions below) may receive additional guidance from their leaders.
Executive Branch departments: Department of Assessments, Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention, Department of Executive Services, Department of Community and Human Services, Department of Human Resources, Department of Judicial Administration, Department of Local Services, Metro Transit Department, Department of Natural Resources and Park, Department of Public Defense, Department of Public Health, Executive Department, King County Elections, King County Sheriff’s Office (The King County Sheriff’s Office is administered by the King County Sheriff).
Other branches of County government: District Court, King County Council, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Superior Court.
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