New survey shows how COVID-19 is impacting basic needs, mental health, and social supports in King County
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
The coronavirus pandemic has brought dramatic changes to our lives – beyond the illness and death directly caused by the virus. Rising unemployment, increased needs for food assistance, and remote schooling are all economic and social impacts of COVID-19 that go beyond the daily counts of new cases or deaths.
The overall results are concerning. 1 in 4 respondents said that COVID-19 impacted their ability to pay for essentials like rent/mortgage, utilities or groceries. About 1 in 6 of survey respondents said that sometimes, their food didn’t last and they didn’t have money to buy more. This was particularly a challenge for people of color. 1 in 10 people said they needed medications but couldn’t get them because of COVID-19. And 1 in 4 adults shared that they had experienced poor mental health on at least 14 days in the past month. Read more.
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Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations joins Department of Human Resources
The Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations Section (BPROS) of the Department of Executive Services officially joined the Department of Human Resources (DHR) on Jan. 1, 2021, part of Executive Constantine’s efforts to better serve King County employees from one centralized department.
This transition brings multiple benefits by centralizing the entire hire-to-retire value stream under one single department, avoiding any confusion that multiple business owners can cause. It will also deliver greater synergies by closely aligning BPROS’ work with DHR’s Employee Health and Well-Being team.
“With BPROS joining DHR, we can now offer almost all of our employee services from one integrated employee-focused department,” DHR Director Jay Osborne said. “This gives us an opportunity to see where and how we can more effectively leverage and support each other’s work and knowledge to better serve our employees.”
The transition, first announced in Dec. 2018, is an important step in bringing all employee services into one employee-focused department. BPROS joins DHR’s Central Employee Services Division, which also includes the Claims Management and Disability and Leaves sections and the Employee Assistance Program.
Osborne told BPROS employees that he is “honored that you are part of the DHR team and looking forward to supporting your long track record of excellence in quality, service, and delivery. I appreciate your engagement and the contributions each of you gives on a daily basis.”
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Strategic Interviewing Tips and Techniques, January 26
This two-hour virtual workshop will provide you with strategies and tips to help you to do your best during the interview. Learning objectives include:
- How to prepare for a virtual job interview
- The interview structure and types of questions you will be asked
- The STAR-LA method and how to use it to provide organized and complete responses
- General tips and strategies
This workshop will take place Tuesday, Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon. Register here.
For additional online workshops offered by King County Career Support Services (CSS), visit their Eventbrite page. For more information about CSS along with links to career related tips and resources, visit www.kingcounty.gov/CSS.
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Training Spotlight: Easy Steps to Great Grammar – Online
Confused about grammar and punctuation? This fun, three-session class will help you master the latest rules, avoid common errors, and write with confidence. You’ll cover apostrophes, verb tense, word usage, subject/verb agreement, commas vs. semicolons, style guides, how to avoid the 10 most common grammar and punctuation mistakes, and more. Class sessions include plenty of examples and exercises to help you practice your new skills. This three-part series starts January 6 and finishes January 20; classes are held each Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Register Here
Please visit our King County Eventbrite website and our Learning and Development website for more learning opportunities. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit Learning and Development at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
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Metro Deputy General Manager Michelle Allison
Crossposted from Metro Matters
Michelle Allison, who has helped shape King County Metro into the regional mobility leader it is today, was named Metro’s Deputy General Manager. Allison served as Interim Deputy General Manager since August and was previously Metro’s Chief of Staff. Terry White, recently confirmed as Metro’s new General Manager, announced the appointment this week.
“I would not have accepted my new position without knowing that Michelle would fill this important role,” said White. “She is a trusted colleague and friend, and I am confident she is the right person to help lead Metro during this challenging time and into the future.”
Allison joined Metro four years ago as its first Chief of Staff. In that role, she strengthened stakeholder partnerships, and grew the agency’s strategic communications and engagement efforts. Read more.
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Training Spotlight: Leadership and Management Series – Online
Develop your coaching, problem solving, strategic planning, and time management skills with this workshop based series. Take all four classes in the series to enhance your professional toolbox with skills to be used in a variety of workplace situations. Offered through N Seattle College, this course will run 1 – 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays from January 13, 2021, through February 3, 2021 and is $275.00 for all four classes. Register Here
Please visit our King County Eventbrite website and our Learning and Development website for more learning opportunities. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit Learning and Development at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
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STAR-LA Interview Practice and Feedback, January 12 and January 20
This 60-minute, virtual, small group workshop is designed to provide mock interview practice and feedback using the STAR-LA method as taught by King County Career Support Services. This workshop is ideal for participants who have attended the Strategic Interviewing Tips and Techniques workshop or have watched the 10 minute STAR-LA method video found on the Career Support Services website.
This workshop will take place Tuesday, Jan. 12 from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Jan. 20 from 10 – 11 a.m. Register here.
For additional online workshops offered by King County Career Support Services (CSS), visit their Eventbrite page. For more information about CSS along with links to career related tips and resources, visit www.kingcounty.gov/CSS.
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Rethinking New Year’s Resolutions
As we move into 2021, you may find yourself thinking about your New Year’s Resolutions. While health and well-being goals are helpful, some types of goals can leave us feeling guilty or insufficient if we don’t reach or sustain them. Balanced You supports employees’ well-being goals and encourages everyone to approach their 2021 resolutions with kindness and caring toward themselves as we continue to work through the pandemic together. Read this Balanced You blogpost for strategies to use and resources to support you in developing 2021 goals that uplift you physically, mentally, and spiritually.
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Creating Effective Application Materials online workshop, January 13
This one-hour virtual workshop will provide you tips and strategies on how to make your application materials stand out. Learning objectives include:
- Understanding the purpose of the job application, resume, cover letter and supplemental questions and how to make each of them more effective
- Deciding what to include in your resume and the best format to showcase your qualifications
- How to write a cover letter tailored to the specific position
- Identifying and showcasing your accomplishments
This workshop will take place Wednesday, Jan. 13 from 1 – 3 p.m. Register here.
For additional online workshops offered by King County Career Support Services (CSS), visit their Eventbrite page. For more information about CSS along with links to career related tips and resources, visit www.kingcounty.gov/CSS.
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Happy New Year: Somewhere over the rainbow, where bluebirds fly
We acknowledge this year has been a challenging one, for so many of our employees and residents. Together we find strength and take comfort in knowing that as Israel Kamakawiwoʻole sings “Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly, and the dreams that you dream of, dreams really do come true.”
The first step to a positive, and hopeful 20201, is to wish for and dream of this change. Through this we will be able to recognize our highs and lows, and work through them. It won’t be easy, but what worthwhile dream isn’t achieved by overcoming our difficulties?
Wishing all our employees a safe, joyous 2021. May this year bring exciting moments, wonderful opportunities, and many dreams that do come true.
Employee News 