Training Spotlight: Intro to Mindfulness for King County Employee COVID-19 Responders – Online
A special session for those working the front lines during this pandemic, in this one hour workshop, we will review the various aspects of mindfulness practice, the ways mindfulness can help reduce stress, reactivity and burnout, and the science that supports the practices. This training is free and takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 23, from 10–11 a.m. Register here using the password ERkingcounty.
Please visit our King County Eventbrite website and our Learning and Development website for more 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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Expansion of testing into the eastside of king county
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
Starting this week, there will be a new option for convenient, free COVID-19 testing on the Eastside. A new site at Bellevue College will open on Tuesday, expanding efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 in east King County and along the I-90 corridor. This will be the first free, high-capacity COVID-19 test site on the Eastside. This site will be free and open to anyone, regardless of insurance or immigration status.
If you have COVID-like symptoms or have had close contact with someone with COVID-19, Public Health – Seattle & King County urges you to avoid contact with others and get tested immediately. Stay home and away from others while you are waiting for test results.
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STAR-LA Interview Practice and Feedback, January 12
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. 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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In January, eligible PERS 2 members can switch to PERS 3
Each January, certain members of Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2 have the opportunity to transfer to PERS Plan 3. You are eligible to transfer to Plan 3 if you meet all of the following criteria:
- You enrolled in PERS Plan 2 before Sept. 1, 2002.
- You are currently in an eligible position.
- You will earn service credit in January.
Here’s how to switch:
- Use the resources on the DRS website to help you decide if transferring to Plan 3 is right for you.
- Complete a DRS Member Transfer Form and return it by email to kc.benefits@kingcounty.gov or by mail by Jan. 31 to:
King County Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations
401 Fifth Avenue
Chinook Building, CNK-ES-0230
Seattle, WA 98104
If you transfer to PERS Plan 3, you cannot return to PERS Plan 2. You should see the change on your payment advice in February 2021. For more information, go to the DRS website or call DRS at 360-664-7000 or 800-547-6657.
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First doses of vaccine arrive in King County
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
It’s a remarkable milestone that the first doses of a COVID-19 vaccine are on the ground in our community. Public Health – Seattle & King County is one of several healthcare providers receiving limited quantities of COVID-19 vaccine this week. Hospital systems in King County will receive approximately 17,000 doses of vaccine in this first distribution, with Public Health scheduled to receive 3,900 doses.
Across the state, the vaccine will be offered to workers in high-risk healthcare settings and residents and staff in long-term care facilities. In addition to offering vaccine to staff at healthcare facilities, hospital partners are making vaccine available to high risk workers in other healthcare settings who meet the Phase 1a criteria by the State Department of Health.
For the initial doses received by Public Health – Seattle & King County, we will offer vaccine to paramedics and emergency medical technicians who can then be deployed to vaccinate others. In addition, we’ll begin to offer vaccine to long term care staff whose organizations are not registered for vaccine through a federal pharmacy program. Doses in the initial allocation will also be offered to Public Health and King County staff who are serving in very high risk settings such as those who work at the COVID-19 testing and isolation and quarantine sites.
Read more from Public Health Insider
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Want to get employee emergency notifications? Sign-up for KCInform
During an emergency having timely information on what is happening is critical. King County employees can sign-up for KCInform, the employee alert and warning system, to receive information on incidents that can affect their work and safety.
KCInform is used to reach County employees during an emergency with timely information about infrastructure disruptions, facility impacts, changes in your department’s business operations, and other critical impacts. Your King County desk phone and @kingcounty.gov email are already in the system. It is important to register your County-issued cell phone (if-applicable) and personal cell phone and email address to ensure you receive time-sensitive messages. This service is free and your personal contact information is secure and protected.
Visit the KCInform website to learn more, or watch our short video.
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Inslee announces updated school guidance for in-person instruction
Gov. Jay Inslee and Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal today announced an update in the metrics used to inform local school district decisions for in-person learning. They also announced $3 million from set aside funds to be distributed to implement health and safety protocols.
The update to the school health and safety toolkit comes after recent data showed limited COVID-19 transmission in school environments when state health and safety protocols are implemented.
The Department of Health suggests three categories for re-introducing in-person learning:
- For schools in counties where COVID-19 cases are “low” (less than 50 residents per 100,000), in-person learning should be made available for all students.
- In counties where COVID-19 cases are “moderate” (between 50 and 350 residents per 100,000), in-person learning should be phased in, starting with elementary students not already attending in person and middle school students, followed by high school students.
- Finally, in counties where COVID-19 cases are “high” (over 350 per 100,000 residents), it’s recommended that schools should only offer in-person instruction for elementary and high-need students in small groups of 15 students or fewer.
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Pet of the Week: Rex
Hi, my name is Rex! I’m an 8 year old male domestic short hair cat (ID #A65307). I am the shy and sensitive type. But, once you start petting me I slowly but surely will rub into your hand. I especially enjoy getting little chin and neck scratches! I am neutered, current on vaccinations, and micro chipped. Also, as the Pet of the Week, my adoption fee has been waived and includes a free visit to the veterinarian of your choice.
You can find out more about me and my friends at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Have you or someone you know adopted a pet from RASKC? Let us know. We’d love to tell your story.
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Tech Tip: An important reminder about Microsoft Skype and Teams instant messages (chats)
Instant messages in Teams, called Chats, don’t instantly disappear when you close the Chat window—they’re typically held for 24 hours or more before deletion. That means they can be subject to Public Disclosure Requests during that time. Some chats last for up to a week, but KCIT is working on the issue. Even if you’re still using Skype, any IMs with coworkers on Teams will also be retained for 24 hours or more on their side.
Remember: You may recall that our guidance for using Skype instant messages has always been “Don’t conduct work in instant messages.” The same is true in Teams Chats. They should only be used for transitory communication.
What does this mean for you?
- When you move to Teams for your calls, meetings and IMs/chats (this year for most of us), use Chats only for transitory communication such as “Ready for that coffee now?” and “Hey, are you going to join our meeting?”
- Posts in Teams Channels, on the other hand, are kept as part of the Teams site and are a great place to communicate important information. If you don’t know about those yet, don’t worry! Learn about posts and other great Teams collaboration features here.
- Keep in mind: since posts are retained, and Chats are automatically held for 24 hours or longer, both are subject to public disclosure and a hold may be placed on these communications. Keep it professional, as always!
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Planning holidays during a pandemic
Planning holidays during a pandemic is a tough feat. While news of COVID-19 vaccines brings a welcome light at the end of the tunnel, we still need to follow social distancing and mask recommendations until the vaccine is available to try to keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our community safe.
To help employees safely navigate the holiday season, Balanced You has put together a list of resources and tips for fun and meaningful ways to celebrate. Click here for more information.
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