Future of Work podcast hosted by PEAT 

The Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT) posted a new episode of its Future of Work podcast series on “The Role of Universal Design in Workplace Inclusion and Accessibility.”  

In the episode, Brook McCall, Director of the Tech Access Initiative at the United Spinal Association, discusses workplace technology challenges for mobility disabilities. 

Listen to the PEAT podcast here, and learn more about PEAT at their website. 

Individual Placement and Support webinar, July 29 

The Employment First Community of Practice will present a webinar on “The Americans with Disabilities Act and Individual Placement and Support: Improving the Working Lives of People with Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders.” 

This webinar will be held Wednesday, July 29 from 11 a.m – 1 p.m. Register here. 

This webinar will discuss how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to individuals in recovery from substance use disorders in three phases of employment: pre-offer, post-offer, and work. They will use scenarios to discuss and illustrate the application of the ADA. It will also highlight Individual Placement and Support (IPS). This evidence-based supported employment model assists individuals with serious mental illness and substance use disorders to find and maintain employment. 

ADA 30th Anniversary Celebration in Washington State, July 27 

Join together in celebrating 30 years of progress for all. A program celebrating the 30-year Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will be hosted by TVW, the Washington Public Affairs Network on Monday, July 27 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The program will be accessible and will include:  

  • Presentations by Governor Inslees and Lt. Governor Habib 
  • Speaking presentations by advocates and community leaders 
  • Musical entertainment 
  • Historical video footage 
  • Interactive panel discussion 

Visit TVW to watch the celebration at www.tvw.org. 

RASKC mobile pet food bank, made possible by public private partnerships 

In addition to a small community pet food bank located at the Kent facility, Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) is proudly working with a number of public and private organizations to provide pet food and supplies to the communities we serve. Thanks to the generous donations of national charities, we are working together to distribute food to various locations. An interactive map of these locations is available here 

Mobile pet food banks are also organized throughout the King County area. These pop-up pet food banks will be announced throughout RASKC social media channels and events calendar. Read more about this partnership on the Tails from RASKC blog. 

Learn more about pet assistance, pet food banks, and other work RASKC is doing at www.kingcounty.gov/petassistance, or watch the video below. 

Featured Job: Personal Health Services Supervisor – Long-Term Care Facility 

Salary$96,012.80 – $124,716.80 Annually 

LocationSeattle, WA 

Job TypeSpecial Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT) 

DepartmentDPH – Public Health 

Job Number2020-11863 

DivisionPrevention 

Closing7/27/2020 11:59 PM Pacific 

Learn more about this position or view all available positions. 

Public Health supports decisions by schools to begin school year with online learning 

Crossposted from Public Health Insider 

Public Health – Seattle & King County supports school districts across King County that have made the tough decision to begin the school year with online learning. 

The current level of COVID-19 transmission in King County is of serious concern. The increase in COVID-19 cases is continuing with an average of 157 cases per day over the last week, up from 36 cases per day reported in early June. This is the highest volume of cases reported since early April. 

Read more. 

2020 State of the County address

King County Executive Dow Constantine

Dear fellow King County employee,

Today I released my annual State of the County address – from my home in West Seattle. I discussed King County’s historic challenges and changes, and announced new actions in human services, the criminal legal system, and the environment.

In my address, I announced that I intend to propose maintaining the nearly 1/3 reduction in adult detention we have achieved during the COVID-19 crisis, and beginning a phased closing of the King County Correctional Center after the pandemic. And, with youth detention numbers at record lows, I will also propose investments to help create safe and community-based solutions for the increasingly difficult youth cases that remain, fully converting the remaining youth detention capacity to other uses as quickly as possible, and no later than 2025.

I also announced an effort to ensure that every resident has a safe and secure place to call home, and wherever possible not returning people to stay long term in crowded, congregate spaces. This builds on what we learned in our COVID-19 response when we provided shelter residents with individual hotel rooms, which not only prevented the spread of the virus but also improved clients’ physical and behavioral health.

I also spoke about our work to transform internal operations. Several departments, including Executive Services and Local Services, have created new ways to safely deliver what the public needs. The Department of Natural Resources and Parks is leading our pilot of ongoing remote work for employees. We will learn from these examples to determine whether and how to expand remote work across the County – to meet the needs of our residents, take cars off the road, and reduce building emissions, while increasing productivity and engagement.

These are just some of the initiatives and priorities I set out in State of the County address. I encourage you to read the transcript or watch the video, and I look forward to working with you on these and other new proposals in the coming weeks and months.

Together, we will battle through this time of crisis. And not only that… we will use this moment – this unprecedented moment – as the catalyst for real change, to create the community, nation, and world we need.

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Dow Constantine
King County Executive

The new KCIT Training Hub is now live 

King County Information Technology (KCIT) is now offering online trainings for employees – wherever they may be.

KCIT understands that as employees adapt to working from home, they are being asked to use new and changing technologies. The KCIT Training Team wants to support each employee to feel confident in their new, remote work environment. The “Training Hub” provides on-demand, self-guided technology trainings when and where employees need them most.

Employees are encouraged to explore the KCIT Training Hub by:

For more information about the KCIT Training Hub or available webinars, contact the KCIT Technical Training Team at KCITTrainingHub@kingcounty.gov. Note that these webinars are open to other Vitalyst customers, and as such are not adapted specifically to King County best practices.

Primary election ballots are out 

King County Elections mailed out Primary election ballots last week. Voters who have not received their ballot yet can contact Elections at 206-296-VOTE (8683). 

This election, voters have the opportunity to weigh in on 52 offices including statewide offices such as Governor, Attorney General, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Congressional representatives, and state legislative seats. Some voters will also have measures from their local fire district on their ballots. Ballots are due by Election Day, August 4, and can be mailed with no stamp necessary or dropped in one of the 69 drop box locations across the county. If mailing a ballot, Elections recommends doing so by the Friday before Election Day to ensure the all-important on-time postmark.  

There is still time to register to vote or update voter registration if voters have moved or changed their name recently. Online registration is open until July 27. After that, visit Elections in person at the headquarters in Renton or at the CenturyLink Field Event CenterClick here for addresses and hours.  

Foquestions or assistance in making sure your vote counts, contact Elections at 206-296-VOTE (8683) or elections@kingcounty.gov. 

Metro celebrates the Americans with Disabilities Act’s 30th Anniversary 

King County Metro celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Proudly committed to mobility innovations, our entire Metro bus fleet is ADA accessible. Allowing our riders with disabilities to travel with independence ensures all of us are moving forward, together.