How to be an ally: Anti-racism resources for white people
Many white people witnessing the violence against Black bodies and minds are committed to action that will set our country on a more just path. As such, many are resolving to demonstrate allyship by taking actions to counter, disrupt, and dismantle systemic racism through anti-racism. If you’ve heard these words, wondered what they mean, and want to know how you can make a difference, visit the Balanced You blog for definitions, tips, and resources.
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Featured Job: Human Resource Manager II – SDA
Salary: $108,494.26 – $137,522.94 Annually
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Special Duty Assignment
Department: KCSO – Sheriff’s Office
Job Number: 2020-11741
Division: Support Services
Closing: 6/24/2020 11:59 PM Pacific
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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Racism is a public health crisis: The transformation starts here. It starts with us.
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
By King County Executive Dow Constantine and Public Health — Seattle & King County Director Patty Hayes
“There’s nothing new under the sun but there are new suns.” Octavia E. Butler, Parable of the Trickster
Today, we declare that racism is a public health crisis. Public Health – Seattle & King County and all of King County government are committed to implementing a racially equitable response to this crisis, centering on community.
King County government and Public Health – Seattle & King County are committed to working in stronger and better resourced partnerships with community organizations and leaders to disrupt and dismantle racism and protect the health and well-being of Black, Indigenous People and People of Color. We recognize that historically and currently King County has been complicit in maintaining and perpetuating structural racism, and that as an institution we must be a vital player in dismantling oppressive systems that are grounded in white supremacy.
Read more from Public Health Insider
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Anita Whitfield named Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer
Pictured: Anita Whitfield
Dear fellow King County employee,
I have named Anita Whitfield to serve as the County’s Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer in my office and as part of my Senior Leadership Team as we continue our work to embed our “We are racially just” value across all of our operations.
In this new role, Anita will lead our Equity and Social Justice strategy and oversee the Office of Equity and Social Justice (OESJ). She will work across all of our functions to ensure that we are doing everything we can to push our ESJ agenda in all of our operations, policy and planning, budgets, community engagement, communications, and more.
It is clear that we have much work to do to build a truly fair, racially just, and equitable community and workplace, and I am pleased that Anita is joining my team to lead this charge.
Anita is currently the EEO/Equity & Social Justice Managing Director for Metro Transit. She has held several key roles in her King County career, including Human Resources Director for more than 10 years, Manager of the Licensing & Regulatory Services Division, and Acting Assistant General Manager of Employee Services at Metro.
Anita will officially start her new role Monday, June 15, and will gradually transition from her Metro duties over the next few weeks. I am looking forward to working with Anita and all employees as we continue to build a truly welcoming community where every person can thrive.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
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Featured Job: Administrative Specialist III – Contact Tracing
Salary: $52,012.69 – $65,929.55 Annually
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Special Duty Assignment or Term Limited Temp (TLT)
Department: DPH – Public Health
Job Number: 2020MF11715
Division: Prevention
Closing: 6/18/2020 11:59 PM Pacific
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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Health officials stress continued vigilance as limited reopening begins
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
As King County continues its first week of limited reopening of some businesses and recreational activities, Public Health – Seattle & King County reminds the public to continue following physical distancing and infection control practices to help prevent an increase in COVID-19 cases. Also, expanded data available on the COVID-19 dashboard.
Story
After nearly three months of stay-at-home orders and other guidelines targeted at slowing the spread of COVID-19, the gradual reopening of businesses, recreational opportunities and social activities is underway across King County.
And, while some restrictions have been eased, it’s important that we approach reopening gradually and continue practicing infection control practices to help prevent an increase in COVID-19 cases.
Public Health – Seattle & King County encourages everyone to follow these tips to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19:
Read more from Public Health Insider
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KCIT fixing IT system Saturday, June 13
On Saturday, June 13, from midnight until 4 a.m., KCIT will be fixing a part of the IT system. This repair will fix a bug that has caused widespread outages over the last few weeks.
Many IT systems will be down for about four hours. Some programs will stay online during the repair, while others will not. Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict which stay on and which will not.
The good news is many everyday tools will not be affected. This includes Office 365 applications (e.g., SharePoint, Teams, Planner) and Oracle EBS.
Employees experiencing issues after this time, should contact the KCIT Helpdesk or call 206-263-4357 (3-HELP).
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Building Gender Inclusive Spaces online workshops, June 22 or June 26
As part of King County’s continuing efforts to lead with racial justice and in celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, the Department of Human Resource’s Learning and Development team will be hosting two online workshops titled Building Gender Inclusive Spaces: Exploring the Intersection of Race and LGBTQ+ Identities.
In this two-hour workshop, participants will learn foundational knowledge of gender and sexuality and best practices to support a gender diverse workforce, with a focus on the intersection of race and LGBTQ+ identities. Participants will have the opportunity to move through real-life scenarios, apply their understanding of pronoun use, and develop strategies to advance gender equity at King County.
There are two opportunities to join this workshop:
- Monday, June 22 from 1-3 p.m. Register here.
- Friday, June 26 from 10 a.m. to noon. Register here.
The workshop will be recorded and available to employees after these sessions. Cost is free, but space is limited. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
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Bloodworks NW now offering Pop-Up Donor Center June 15 through July 29
The essential measures Bloodworks NW has taken for social distancing has taken away the usual setting for mobile blood drives that account for 60% of collections. With hospitals preparing to re-start surgeries, organ transplants and cancer treatments that were suspended in March, donors are needed now, and in the coming months. To help keep the blood supply stable during this unprecedented time, Bloodworks NW has partnered with the iconic STG Paramount Theatre to host a Pop-Up Donor Center, beginning June 15 through July 29.
With King County on-site blood donations temporarily on hold, this is a great opportunity to give blood. All donations at this Pop-Up Donor Center and other Donor Centers are by appointment only to provide the safest donation environment and adhere to all social distancing guidelines. Additionally, no walk-ins, guests, or people under age 16 are permitted onsite. The one-hour donation appointment is a safe and essential action to support local hospitals.
Make an appointment at the Pop Up Donor Center at The Paramount Theatre by clicking here. The Theatre is located at 911 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98101. Parking for donors is available on Ninth Avenue between Pine Street and Pike Street. For other donation opportunities visit BloodworksNW.org or call 800-398-7888.
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Emotional well-being resources for Black communities
Over the past two weeks, we have witnessed continued harm to Black bodies and minds, harm that has been perpetuated for generations via institutions, policies, and laws in every community throughout the United States. The combined impact of police violence, a pandemic disproportionately affecting People of Color, and centuries of systemic racism places undue stress on Black communities.
This stress continues to impact each individual Black person’s emotional well-being uniquely, based on their identity, support systems, and other contexts. Balanced You stands with Black Lives Matter and recognizes the resiliency and strength that lies within the Black community. Balanced You also recognizes that, because you and your community are sacred, caring for your well-being is an act of resistance.
In the event that you are seeking additional support, Balanced You has partnered with the King County Black/African Affinity Group and equity partners from across the County to develop the list of emotional well-being resources below, including local spaces for community, connection, and healing; self-care and collective-care tips and resources; and traditional mental health resources. Visit the Balanced You blog for more information.
Employee News 