Free mindfulness workshop for King County Emergency Responders, September 30
Would you like to reduce stress? Mindfulness can help reduce stress at work and at home, bringing peace and allowing you to focus on what matters most. Sign up today for a free, one-hour mindfulness workshop designed specifically for King County employees who are responding to COVID-19.
Mindfulness workshops are brought to you by King County Balanced You in partnership with Mindfulness Northwest. During these live, interactive sessions, participants will review what reactivity and burnout are, the various aspects of mindfulness practice, and the ways mindfulness can help reduce stress and lead to greater resiliency. The workshop includes hands-on learning of several simple but effective mindfulness practices that participants can put to use right away.
- Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 9-10 a.m. Register here for the mindfulness workshop for emergency responders, using registration password ERkingcounty.
Contact BalancedYou@kingcounty.gov for more information.
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King County website currently down
The King County website is currently down or experiencing lengthy delays when attempting to access information.
KCIT is working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.
We appreciate your patience, and will let you know when the website is functioning properly again.
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COVID-19 child care support
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections
Do you need help with child care costs? You may qualify for financial assistance to pay for child care if you live or work in King County, fall within income guidelines and your income, work schedule, or access to child care has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 or you are an essential worker.
Program eligibility
- Must be under 400% FPL
- Must live or work in King County
- Must be an essential worker or have been impacted by COVID-19
- For children aged 0-12 at licensed child care sites
To apply
- Call or text 1-800-446-1114 to request an application
- Or fill out an online application at: https://tinyurl.com/KingCCFA
Learn more about the CARES emergency funding for COVID-19 child care supports program here. Program information is available in 22 languages on our website.
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Supporting others in crisis
“I’ll never forget the day the phone rang. I felt powerless, I felt stuck. I wanted to help but I didn’t know how, who to call, or what to do. I wanted to solve the problem, but I didn’t know the first place to start.”
Being on the receiving end of a phone call or text when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis is difficult. When a loved one is struggling, you want to do everything you can to help them. And sometimes, you don’t know what that is. As a family member or friend, it can be hard to know what to do, how to act, or what to say when someone is in crisis.
As Suicide Prevention Awareness Month comes to a close, Balanced You recognizes that awareness and prevention are ongoing. Visit this Balanced You blogpost for supportive resources and strategies to consider.
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Mental health resources for employees involved in the COVID-19 response
Employees from departments across King County have been involved in the COVID-19 response for many months now. While emergency response work is rewarding, the long hours, breadth of demands, and exposure to human suffering can adversely affect the most seasoned responder. As we transition our pandemic response into the autumn and prepare to add in both the seasonal flu and the mental health crisis that experts are warning is ahead, there is a likeliness this already difficult work will become more so.
Studies of emergency responders from 9/11 show that those involved in mental health support services, such as one-on-one counseling or support groups, have improved mental health outcomes. During Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, Balanced You reminds employees involved in the COVID-19 response that we are here for you in providing these types of programs to support you. Please visit this Balanced You blog post for resources to help you attend to your own emotional well-being as you lead King County through the pandemic.
If you find you cannot take the time to attend to your own well-being, please communicate this concern to your HR manager or supervisor. Your well-being is as important as the well-being of the community you serve.
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Celebrating Disability Awareness Month in King County
Dear fellow King County employee,
Each October, we celebrate Disability Awareness Month in King County and the many contributions that people with disabilities make to our community.
Every person deserves the opportunity to fulfil their potential, share their unique abilities, and fully participate in everything that our region has to offer. Disability Awareness Month reminds us that we must continue to break down barriers to promote inclusion and expand opportunity for all people with disabilities.
The global COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the urgency of this work. COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact on people with disabilities who are experiencing higher rates of unemployment, reduced access to in-person care and support services, and challenges with online learning and receiving special education services. People with disabilities are also more likely to have preexisting health conditions, amplifying the risk of the virus.
King County offers many programs and services that support people with disabilities and build a more inclusive community, from specialized access to public transit to Accessible Voting Centers with audio or large print ballots and other assistive devices. We have had to adjust the way we provide many of these during the pandemic, but we are doing everything we can to ensure that people can continue to access the services they depend on.
In our own workforce, our Supported Employment Program is helping employees with developmental and intellectual disabilities find and succeed in employment opportunities in King County; our Disability Services Program is helping employees with accommodations and resources so they can continue their important work for our community, sometimes in new or adjusted roles.
These are just some of the ways we are making our community and workplace more inclusive and welcoming, but there is always more that we can do. This year, as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the 75th observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, I encourage you to look at the services you provide to see if there is a way to make them more accessible and more equitable.
Together we can build on what we have learned during this pandemic, break down remaining barriers, and make this community truly one of opportunity and access for all.
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King County Metro proposed budget maintains region’s network, looks ahead to future growth
Crossposted from Metro Matters
King County Executive Dow Constantine transmitted Metro’s proposed two-year budget to the King County Council on Sept. 22, starting the formal process for funding the operations of the region’s largest public transportation network.
The budget outlines our ongoing commitment to providing reliable bus, water taxi, Access paratransit, and vanpool service – especially to serve riders where needs are greatest.
It shows how Metro plans to continue to respond and adapt to the continued challenges of reduced revenue projections and lower ridership as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Residents and workers of King County awarded Executive Award for Community Resilience
The 10th annual King County Executive Award for Community Resilience was presented today to all the residents and workers of King County for their dedication to the community. As King County deals with the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and racial injustice, residents and workers have stepped up to show what true resilience really looks like. From first responders, to healthcare workers, to teachers and daycare workers, to all the King County government employees, individuals have made tremendous sacrifice to keep others safe.
Past recipients have included the Somali Health Board, King County Search and Rescue, and the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe.
Congratulations to all those who work and live in King County. This award is for you. Read
more in the official press release, and view the winners in the video below.
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Training Spotlight courses from Learning and Development
- Fall classes through North Seattle College, online opportunities – Accounting and QuickBooks; Accounting for Small Business; Understanding Trauma; Leadership and Management series; AWS Academy Cloud Foundations; and more! View all opportunities and register here.
- Facilitating Effective Meetings, 2-day online training – Facilitated by Lenny Borer, this two-day training is $65 and takes place from 8:30am to 12:00pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 6 and 7. Register here.
More opportunities are available on our King County Eventbrite page. 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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Pet of the Week: Domino
Say hello to Domino, our Pet of the Week! This sweet boy was brought in by a good Samaritan earlier this month. He is an affectionate lovebug who would be thrilled to cuddle up with you at home! Domino is an “Easy Going Green” cat that loves to be petted non-stop. He also enjoys climbing up onto high things to guard the room, but the moment you walk in he will run to you and give you all of his love!
Read more and view all available pets 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.
Employee News 