Pet of the Week: Sadie
Hi! My name is Sadie and I am available for adoption. I am a genteel older lady who looooooves to stop and smell the roses. I want to sniff over there, and over there, and right there, too! I don’t really care about treats or toys: my priorities are quality time with you, and quality time with every interesting smell I can find. Once we’re home, you’ll see that I am an affectionate lovebug who would be thrilled to cuddle up with you! I will stare up at you adoringly for being so nice to me, and giving me the scritches and pets that I crave.
Read more at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet.
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Regional Mental Health Court 20th Anniversary Celebration, Oct. 10
Join King County Regional Mental Health Court team members, court participants/graduates, local and state dignitaries and special guest Gypsy Temple (an up-and-coming Seattle alt-rock band committed to mental health advocacy) – as we celebrate this innovative court’s 20th anniversary. All are welcome!
- Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019, 1 – 3 p.m., King County Courthouse Room E-942
For more information contact Troy Brown at trbrown@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-2957.
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Use Employee ID/ORCA to ride Monorail beginning Oct. 7
Starting on Monday, Oct. 7, the Seattle Monorail will accept ORCA cards! To board the Monorail, present your ID/ORCA to the cashier to pay your fare.
King County employees can hop on the Monorail with no additional out-of-pocket cost.
Seattle Center Monorail provides a fast, direct connection between downtown Seattle and Seattle Center traveling 25 feet above street traffic. Open daily, the train departs every 10 minutes. Visit the Seattle Center Monorail website for more information.
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Annual Giving Drive kicks off Oct. 7
King County’s Annual Giving Drive Program starts Monday, Oct. 7, and it’s your opportunity to support a cause you care about. Find out how to donate or attend one of several nonprofit expos where you can meet participating nonprofits and find out about the great work they are doing.
The expos start Oct. 8, with employees now being able to participate in the expo online or in person, making it more inclusive. Download your Expo Giving Passport which, once completed, can be entered for a chance to win a prize. For more information, visit the Employee Giving Campaign Annual Giving Drive events page.
Happy Giving!
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Training Spotlight: Supervision and Leadership Skills – Series
Supervision and Leadership Skills – Series, beginning Oct. 4: Develop your leadership, communication, motivation, and problem-solving skills with this workshop based series. Take all six classes in the series to enhance your professional toolbox with skills to be used in a variety of workplace situations. Register and learn more here.
View more training and development opportunities at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
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Communities Building Impact: Our First Digital Report!
Crossposted from the Best Starts for Kids Blog
We are so excited to share our 2018 Annual Report which is now in a beautiful, digital format! With meaningful stories from our partners, be sure to check it out!
Data is woven throughout this report and our most recent data from 2018 is now on our website and interactive! This data represents the collaborative relationships we have with our partners and we love sharing progress thanks to their amazing work.
Download a PDF copy of the report here.
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New electronic records management system to debut Oct. 7
A new enterprise content management system, Content Manager, will go live Oct. 7. The system will be available for all King County agencies to use to manage their records and information.
Users of the old system, KC ERMS, will automatically have access to the new one. Agencies that have not used KC ERMS can request access to Content Manager by contacting Records Management at records.management@kingcounty.gov. After getting access, manage records easily by a click on the Content Manager icon on your desktop.
You can use Content Manager to:
- File electronic records to comply with legal retention requirements
- Search for and provide access to records in response to public records requests
- Manage boxes in storage at the King County Records Center
Get access, take training and learn more about Content Manager on the Records Management website.
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King County 2019 flu shot schedule, week of Oct. 2
Check out the King County 2019 Flu Shot Schedule and mark your calendars for the location most convenient for you. These are open to all employees, unless noted otherwise.
If you miss the opportunity to get a flu shot at work, here are some tips for getting your flu shot through your health plan. Contact balancedyou@kingcounty.gov for more information.
Some things to remember: Clinics are open to all employees, except when noted otherwise. Benefits-covered spouses and family members (age 11 and above) are welcome to attend most clinics, but please confirm these details with your site contact(s) beforehand. When able, bring your medical ID card or number.
Dates this week are:
- Thursday, Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at KC Courthouse, 516 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, C-912. 9th floor. Contact is Angelina Jimeno at 206-477-1352.
- Friday, Oct. 4 from 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at South Base, 12100 E. Marginal Way S., Tukwila, WA 98168, Operations Building, 2nd Floor, Classrooms A & B. Contact is Beth Cheshier at 206-477-7426.
- Monday, Oct. 7 from 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at Bellevue Base, 1790 124th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98005, Classrooms 1 & 2. Contact is Janice Larson at 206-477-7839.
- Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 7 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. at Snoqualmie / DPER (Kendall Lake), 35030 SE Douglas St, Snoqualmie, WA 98065, Suite 210. Contact is Theresa Reynolds at 206-477-0380.
- Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at Cedar Hills, 16645 228th Ave SE, Maple Valley, WA 98038, Conference Room C. Contacts are Mary Ann Hale at 206-263-1143 and Brenda Loder 206-263-1824.
- Wednesday, Oct. 9 from 6 a.m. – 8 a.m. at Brightwater Treatment Plan, 22505 St. Rte. 9 SE, Woodinville, WA 98072, North Creek. Contact is Patricia Stout at 206-263-9465.
- Wednesday, Oct. 9 from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at Rail Section, 3407 Airport Way S. Seattle, WA 98134, Room 306. Contact is Amanda Craig at 206-903-7763.
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Young attorneys make a difference through Prosecutor’s internship program
The King County’s Prosecuting Attorney’s Office recently mentored and trained a group of nine young, ambitious second-year law students, giving them firsthand experience into the work of a prosecuting attorney. The intense, 13-week Rule 9 Internship Program gives law students the opportunity to practice the law under supervision by handling real cases.
“We have an extremely diverse class and half are people of color, which is remarkable,” said Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Leah Taguba, who oversees the program. “It is through diversity of background and thought that people of color bring to prosecution that help create just and equitable outcomes.”
From a trial perspective, interns learn how to select a jury, make opening and closing arguments, complete cross-examinations, and more. There are challenges in the courtroom because many interns don’t know what to expect at times. Kayvon T. Behroozian and Kaylee Cox are second-year law students from the University of Washington who have learned and grown so much throughout their time in the program.
“The most tangible thing it has taught me is how to present in a courtroom; how to do so comfortably and thoughtfully,” Kayvon said.
“Keep your mind very open, it will help,” Kaylee added.
Cases can often be intense, but the close-knit relationships the interns have with each other keep them grounded. They support one another and are given tools or coaching that help them be successful. They analyze all aspects of a case to get the best possible resolution for the defendant and feel that accountability and rehabilitation are essential.
“When prosecutors aspire to do the right thing at all times, they can make a difference and can make a meaningful impact on the communities they represent and come from,” Leah said. “They are always trying to do the right thing, always.”
Interns get the opportunity to grow their skills and knowledge with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. They push themselves to get the most out of the 13-week experience. At the end of it, the interns walk away with experience, career direction, and knowing that they have made a difference. To learn more, visit the Rule 9 Internship Program.
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Mental Health, Recovery, and Suicide Prevention panel resonates with employees
More than 50 employees gathered on Sept. 25 in the Administration Building Training Room for a powerful panel conversation about workplace mental health, held in recognition of September National Recovery Month and Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.
Panelists included Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer; Heather Steffensen with the Employee Assistance Program; Brandon Banks with Metro Transit Department; Skyler Bridges with the Department of Assessments; and Suzette Dickerson, Council 2 business representative. Sarah Wilhelm from Public Health-Seattle & King County moderated the panel for a standing-room only audience and Skype participants.
Recognizing that employees spend so many of their waking hours at work, the panelists explored aspects of what it means to bring one’s whole self to the workplace. They shared perspectives on such issues as supporting colleagues who are experiencing challenging times in their lives, strategies for self-care and healing, and the important role of supervisors in creating a safe, supportive environment that helps reduce day-to-day stress.
Whitney Abrams emphasized that our True North – Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive – is a vision that we hold for employees and it’s where we need to start. She emphasized that creating a culture that is welcoming, racially just, and respects all people are values that we need to live out here at work and in how we support our staff.
“My aim is to learn from you about what you need, and explore how we can help reduce the stigma and isolation around mental health” she said. “Slowing down and taking the time for connecting on a human level really matters.”
Members of the audience engaged with questions and reflections of their own, with many noting the importance of regular training and coaching for supervisors at all levels so that they can cultivate more sensitivity to mental well-being in working with their staff. Modeling the way, staying curious, building authentic relationships, being mindful of the language we use, and checking back in were raised as ways that to help one another grow and create more connections.
At the end of the session, Kelli Nomura, Director of King County’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Division in the Department of Community and Human Services, expressed her appreciation for the open sharing that occurred in the room.
“What I’ve heard today is we are not alone, and there are ways we can work together to make our workplace safer and more supportive. Recovery can and does happen,” she said.
For assistance with mental health or substance use concerns, contact the King County Making Life Easier Program anytime at 1-888-874-7290, or this view this Mental Health Benefits and Resources sheet. For concerns about workplace dynamics, employees are encouraged to consult with their department HR Manager or the Department of Human Resources Employee Assistance Program.
Pictured: From left to right, Sarah Wilhelm with Public Health-Seattle & King, Heather Steffensen with the Employee Assistance Program, Skyler Bridges with the Department of Assessments, Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer, Brandon Banks with the Department of Metro Transit, Suzette Dickerson, Council 2 business representative, and Shawna Johnson with King County Balanced You.
Employee News 