HRA VEBA Plan webinars, June 9 and June 11
Employees are invited to learn about their HRA VEBA Plan benefits in an online webinar. Topics will include plan features, using the plan, covering expenses, investment options, and getting help. A Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) in a Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association (VEBA) provides a tax-free rollover of leave cash-outs to an HRA VEBA Trust at retirement. These funds are used to pay for eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses and premiums. Employees who retire from a group that voted to participate in either or both of the HRA VEBA options, will automatically be enrolled in an HRA VEBA Trust shortly after retirement.
- Tuesday, June 9 from 11-11:30 a.m. Register here.
- Thursday, June 11 from 3-3:30 p.m. Register here.
Space is limited, register now. For more information contact KC.Benefits@kingcounty.gov.
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Community without contact: Supporting innovative farmers through CSAs, online markets, and farm stands
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green
All aspects of the local food economy have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, and farmers are on the frontline making sure food is harvested, packed, and delivered in a way that prioritizes safe, healthy food for consumers. However, like many industries, farmers are facing financial hardship as sales outlets are limited or effectively gone as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.
During these uncertain times, many farmers are getting creative to help consumers access fresh local food with online ordering, delivery services, and new pickup locations. The King County Local Food team has created a resource list that includes the ways you can support farmers through produce subscriptions and other innovative market options.
Read more.
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Mental Health Month week four: Supporting others
For the last week of Mental Health Month, Balanced You is focusing on the topic “supporting others.” Widening our view from self-care to collective care by supporting others’ mental health is important, especially during the ongoing pandemic, which has increased stress for so many.
While you may not be able to fix someone’s mental well-being, there are simple things you can say or do to help people in your life who are struggling. Actions such as practicing active listening by giving your complete attention to the person talking, asking how you can help, not judging, and knowing when to call for more help can have a big impact on someone going through a tough time.
Furthermore, when you offer help to someone struggling with their mental health, you’ll also improve your health, as social connection and doing for others are closely linked to overall well-being and a stronger ability to bounce back from stressful situations. Visit the Balanced You blog for tips on how to start a conversation with someone you believe is struggling, and what you can do to support them.
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An update on our services
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC
COVID-19 UPDATE: Pet adoptions resumed by appointment-only Monday, May 11 at 6 a.m.
Due to COVID-19, our adoption process has changed. Adoptions of our animals from our Kent shelter have switched to an appointment-based system. Please visit our pet adoption page to learn about this new process. For more information about the COVID-19 outbreak, visit kingcounty.gov/covid.
Our number one priority at RASKC continues to be focused on delivering our mission of “Helping People and Pets.” We are honored to be of continued service to our communities, both in person when needed as well as online. You can access many of our services from the comfort of home.
Read more from Tails from RASKC
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Recognizing Metro operators for their dedication and commitment
The Seattle Times recently highlighted how the public is saluting Metro operators with bubbles and joy in an article from their Stepping Up series, which focuses on “moments of compassion, duty and community in uncertain times.”
The article shares how residents prepare for the next bus to drive by to show their appreciation. “Then the self-proclaimed ‘Bubble Brigade’ hooted and hollered, waved signs of support and blew kisses and bubbles at the lumbering yellow and blue buses that rolled by and occasionally reciprocated the sidewalk salute with two loud horn honks.”
Read the full article in The Seattle Times. Image courtesy of The Seattle Times.
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Business Resource Center online resources and New Employee Packet
It can be challenging to begin a new position, as well as welcome a new member to the team. The Business Resource Center (BRC) offers an internal website and other online resources to help employees who are new to King County adjust to a new workplace that exists in a virtual environment.
The BRC now hosts a New Employee Packet section on their website to support employees with PeopleSoft functionality and other payroll-associated information. Employees will find links to many great resources, including:
- Benefits and Retirement website
- King County policies
- Technical resources
- PeopleSoft training materials and resources
- The Training Video Library
Hiring Managers are encouraged to add the link to the BRC New Employee Packet to their agency’s new employee onboarding practices. For more information about the BRC and it’s online resources, visit the BRC SharePoint site.
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COVID-19 ridership update: Masks required as region uses transit for essential trips
Crossposted from Metro Matters
Ridership on King County Metro continues to remain steady at just over 100,000 daily trips across our reduced service network. We’re in the first week of a new directive to wear masks or face coverings in King County and on public transportation, and by wearing a mask you are helping support and protect drivers and customers who are using Metro to make essential trips.
Metro analyzed preliminary extrapolations to create an unofficial estimate of weekly ridership, which remains substantially lower compared to a year ago.
Read more from Metro Matters
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Standing together against racism
King County Executive Dow Constantine
Dear fellow King County employee,
Earlier this week we witnessed the tragic last moments of a man’s life – a black man in Minneapolis, who died with a white police officer’s knee pressed to his neck. This follows the February shooting by three white men of an unarmed black man jogging in Brunswick, Georgia.
These killings, and the deaths of countless black and brown Americans in much the same way over the past few years, are stark reminders that racism and hate continue to thrive in our nation – in communities large and small – and that uprooting bias remains an enormous challenge, especially for the criminal legal system. It erodes trust and faith in our institutions, in the legitimacy of government. It erodes people’s sense of security, of personal safety. It pulls us further apart, and undermines our work toward greater equity and genuine justice.
These deaths have quite rightly sparked outrage. But we need more than outrage – we need action. America cannot continue on the same path and expect things to change, because our recent history shows that things haven’t changed much at all.
We are responsible for becoming the community and society we want to live in, and it’s surely not one of hate speech, division, “otherness,” bigotry, and racist violence. As a nation, and in our states, counties, and cities, we must take charge of our destiny, to alter our course – to fundamentally and intentionally upset the status quo – and build a fair, racially just, and equitable society where the color of a person’s skin does not determine life outcomes.
We know many in our community are hurting right now. These deaths have amplified the hurt for Black/African Americans, and other people of color. Locally, members of the Asian community have been victims of racist abuse and aggression. It is important that we support one another, to strengthen our resolve collectively, to take the time and effort to reach out to family members, friends, colleagues, or one of our Employee Resource/Affinity Groups for emotional support, and help moving forward together. If you would like to speak with someone, King County provides two free services to employees that offer professional support and advice: the Employee Assistance Program and Making Life Easier. Both resources are free and confidential.
This is a difficult period in our nation’s history, but it is a challenge we will face together. Together we stand against racism, hatred, and violence. Shaking off the dust of hundreds of years of history, we must stand for the fundamental American ideals that all are created equal, and entitled to equal justice under law. Together we stand for our “We are racially just” value. And together we stand for a safe, diverse, welcoming community where every person can thrive.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
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“Supporting our Kids through the Pandemic with Connection and Collective Care” webinar, June 10
Pictured: Featured speaker and parent coach Sarina Behar Natkin
During the recent Balanced You webinar “A Conversation on Self-care and Connection,” we heard from employees that one of your top concerns is how the pandemic is impacting your kids. Because you asked for help supporting your kids through this, we reached out to one of the area’s top parent coaches, Sarina Behar Natkin, to coordinate a webinar and Q&A session for King County employees.
The webinar will be held Wednesday, June 10 from 12:30 – 2 p.m. Register here.
The session will be recorded and posted for those who cannot attend the live event. Attendees will learn how to support their children and take care of themselves to build resilience and increase connection in the home. Following the presentation, attendees will also be able to get their top parenting questions answered. For questions or more information, contact Balancedyou@kingcounty.gov.
Featured speaker Sarina Behar Natkin, LICSW, is a Seattle based parent coach, speaker and author. She provides parents with the tools and support they need to raise healthy children and find more joy in parenting. Sarina is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Gottman Educator, Certified Positive Discipline Trainer and is regularly featured as a parenting expert on television and radio. Sarina is a Seattle native and resides in the city with her husband and two daughters. www.sarinanatkin.com
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Update: Telecommuting with children at home
To slow the spread of coronavirus, King County employees who can telecommute have been mandated to telecommute until at least Sept. 7, 2020. Because K-12 schools have closed, King County is temporarily allowing parents and caretakers to telecommute while caring for children at home.
Telecommuting with children at home is a new experience for most employees and can present its own unique challenges. As such, Balanced You has put together some advice to help you continue to be productive and keep your family safe.
Read more from Balanced You
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