When the heat is on, keep cool!
We are expecting hot weather this week and next, with temperatures in the 80s. Now is a great time to remember that, although the sun is beautiful, it can make our work environment warm and uncomfortable for some.
The Facilities Management Division (FMD) is committed to your safety and comfort at work, and to running King County buildings as efficiently as possible. To help us all keep cooler as the weather heats up, here are a few tips:
- Close the blinds in your work area to reduce sunlight streaming in.
- Keep windows and doors closed when the air conditioning is on.
- Dress for the weather conditions.
- Turn off unnecessary lights and unplug unused electrical equipment.
Click on this image to print and post it in your work space.
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Parks employee competes in 2018 Special Olympics USA Games
Rama ‘RJT’ Tall has been a King County employee since 1990 as a Parks Specialist with the Department of Natural Resources and Parks. He is also one of the employee athletes who represented the State of Washington during the Seattle- and King County-hosted 2018 Special Olympics USA Games.
Like Metro’s Jonathan Leckband, featured in Employee News leading up to the games, RJT competed on the soccer field. He and his manager, Parks District Maintenance Coordinator Gary Brown, shared some of RJT’s story before the games began.
“I’ve been playing soccer since 1987,” RJT told us. “It is important to me to be representing Washington Special Olympics Summer Games. We are trying to bring the trophy home to Washington State!”
Some of RJT’s biggest fans are his co-workers. “We as a shop, Duthie Hill Park and District Grand Ridge, are so excited about RJT being involved and being a participant,” Brown said. “Several of the crew have watched RJT practice and have attended his games, and will be supporting him during the 2018 USA Games.”
And support him they did!
RJT at the games with his King County Parks colleagues.
There were two Washington teams in the games’ T-3 division; RJT’s Issaquah-based Washington Spirit and Jonathan Leckband’s Federal Way-based Washington Thunder. The Spirit placed third in the division, and the Thunder took gold!
RJT competing during the games.
RJT’s team regularly practice at the park complex, which allows Parks staff to see what areas need increased maintenance to have a healthy soccer field for all King County residents. “That playing time – that experience – then helps guide the maintenance activities on those field-turf fields, and helps train the other parks specialists,” Brown explained.
Gary Brown, Parks District Maintenance Coordinator
“RJT is one of our newer team members,” said Brown. “He transferred from another district and helps us maintain the Preston Community Center and Preston Athletic Field – one of his favorite sites.” RJT is really connected to Preston Athletic Field. It’s one of the reasons he transferred into the district. “He’s smiling and singing all day long. Whether it’s hot out, cold, rain, sunshine, winter, it doesn’t matter,” added Brown. “And that’s really contagious.”
The smiles RJT brings extend beyond his team to those visiting the park. “I like to meet people, talk to them, get to know them – in the parks,” he said. “I’ve got a lot of regulars here that know me, and they say, ‘You do a wonderful job in this park!’”
Senior Employment Consultant Liesa Spring, RJT’s job coach from Trillium Employment Services, has been working with RJT since he transferred from Tolt-McDonald to Duthie Hill. “I have had the pleasure of supporting RJT over the past three years and it has been incredible to see him come into his own at Duthie Hill,” said Spring. “He takes such incredible ownership over the work that he does, particularly on the Preston athletic fields. It is no wonder his passion extends on and off the field.” RJT has also taken a seat on the board of AtWork!, a local nonprofit employment agency, Spring added. “RJT is applying the success he has had through his King County career, as well as the leadership he shows on the field, to help pave the way for other people to have a more accessible pathway to employment.”
King County also participated in the first ever Job Fair at the Special Olympics with Human Resource Representatives from HRD, Transit and Parks. “It is truly an honor to showcase King County’s commitment to hiring an inclusive workforce at this historic event. RJT’s role with Parks highlights one of many success stories at the County,” said Christina Davidson, King County Supported Employment Program Manager. “DNRP is a big champion of Supported Employment within the county with 21 employees in the program. Parks Division has been particularly dedicated to maintaining positions and posting for vacant supported employment positions.”
Supported Employment Program Manager Christina Davidson (center right), Patty Jurgens from Parks HR (far right) and Kellie Parker from Metro EEO (far left) join @2018USAGames Job Fair host David Egan during the games in Seattle.
King County’s commitment to supported employment began in 1990, and is the County’s approach used to match qualified job candidates with developmental disabilities to business needs within King County government. Over the last three years, 14 supported employees have been hired into King County and Davidson has consulted on 17 countywide recruitments, saying, “This is the largest increase of new positions within the program since the 1990s and early 2000s.” Department needs are identified through in-depth interviews and lean task development, which are then bundled together to develop a supported employment position. Quality employment agencies provide job coaches, like Trillium’s Liesa Spring and Highline’s Meghan Spellman, to support the job candidates through the application process, onboarding, training, retention of employment as well as ongoing career growth. The job coach also provides training and support to co-workers and supervisors on disability related topics as well as how best to work with the employee.
“To any other manager looking to hire a supported employee, or supported employees, I would tell them to give them the opportunity, give them a chance, and that you will be surprised in many ways,” said Brown. “What they bring – their life experiences, their background – only adds to the team. There are going to be tasks they’ll be perfectionists at on their own, there are going to be tasks they need support with – and that’s what the rest of your team is for. But don’t hesitate. Bring them on board, learn about them, get involved with them, utilize the services that the Supported Employment Program and Trillium bring, and work with the person. Over time it’s only going to add to and enhance your team.”
For more information about the King County Supported Employment program, visit the website and reach out to Program Manager Christina Davidson at 206-477-3372 or Christina.Davidson@KingCounty.gov.
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King County #RiseWithUs highlights
Dear Athletes, Coaches, Family Members, Volunteers, Games Partners, Supporters of the Games, and Greater Seattle Community:
Thank you! The 2018 USA Games said, ‘Rise with Us’ and you did – with open hearts and minds. You were magnificent hosts.
Chairman Tim Shriver, Special Olympics International
Over the first week of this month, we hosted approximately 4,000 athletes and coaches, 15,000 volunteers and 70,000 spectators for the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games.
We at King County also were the athletes, the coaches, the volunteers, and the spectators – and more!
Rama ‘RJT’ Tall is a Parks Specialist with King County.
As part of his responsibilities, he even helps maintain the field and facilities he and his team used to practice for the games.
I’ve been playing soccer since 1987,” RJT told us. “It is important to me to be representing Washington Special Olympics Summer Games. We are trying to bring the trophy home to Washington State!
Rama ‘RJT’ Tall with Team Washington at the opening ceremonies.
RJT’s team placed third in their division during the games.
Read more about RJT in Parks employee competes in 2018 Special Olympics USA Games.
Jonathan Leckband is a Metro HR employee and also a soccer player.
I’m excited! This will be my first time playing at this level. I’m looking forward to the chance to show how good our team is. This will also be a chance to demonstrate sportsmanship, and maybe make new friends.
Jonathan Leckband with Team Washington at the opening ceremonies.
Jonathan’s team brought home gold!
Read more about Jonathan in Metro HR employee athlete competing in 2018 Special Olympics USA Games July 1-6 in Seattle.
Joseph Rivers is one of King County’s 3,000 Metro Transit operators. He is also a former Special Olympics athlete, current volunteer, has coached and refereed for the games, and is the proud father of two of the athletes who competed in the USA Games this month.
A lot of the athletes that come and participate are there to win, but – then again – following the model of ‘let me be brave in the attempt,’ they’re happy to play.
Joseph Rivers talks with KIRO 7 and the Seattle Times prior to the games.
Read more about Joseph in Joseph Rivers: Metro operator and Special Olympics athlete, coach, referee, volunteer and athlete parent.
King County also participated in the first job fair at the Special Olympics with HR and EEO representatives from Human Resources Division, Transit and Parks. Supported Employment Program Manager Christina Davidson was among the group representing King County.
It is truly an honor to showcase King County’s commitment to hiring an inclusive workforce at this historic event.
Supported Employment Program Manager Christina Davidson (center right), Patty Jurgens from Parks HR (far right) and Kellie Parker from Metro EEO (far left) join @2018USAGames Job Fair host David Egan during the games in Seattle.
King County’s commitment to supported employment began in 1990, and is the County’s approach used to match qualified job candidates with developmental disabilities to business needs within King County government.
Learn more about Christina’s Supported Employment Program on KingCounty.gov.
King County joined the State of Washington and the City of Federal Way as a Public Partner of the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games, and King County Metro joined Sound Transit, Alaska Airlines, REI Co-op and others as a Bronze Medal Partner. In a joint effort with Sound Transit, King County Metro was an Official Transportation Sponsor of the 2018 USA Games. Metro General Manager Rob Gannon joined Joseph Rivers and others to announce the partnerships prior to the games.
Seattle is a place truly committed to equity and the idea that everyone – every single one – should have equal access to opportunity.
Metro General Manager Rob Gannon (center right) is joined by – from left to right – Seahawks great Jordan Babineaux, USA Games President and CEO Beth Knox, King County Metro Operator Joseph Rivers, Sound Transit EEO Director Jackie Martinez-Vasquez, and Port of Seattle President Courtney Gregoire.
Read more about Metro’s and King County’s support in King County: #RiseWithUs.
Metro also shared parts of their story on Metro Matters, @kcmetrobus, and more, including:
Metro staff competing, volunteering and cheering on athletes at Special Olympics USA Games 2018
Shuttles to help athletes, families, fans reach July 6 Special Olympics closing ceremonies
A volunteer from Metro helps a woman reach her destination during the games.
King County Parts shared parts of their story – the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center’s role – on @iheartkcparks.
We have the opportunity to make that cultural shift that inclusion is the benchmark – that’s where we start. Inclusion for all. If that’s our baseline, then we’re setting an example that the rest of the country – and potentially the world – can follow.
Beth Knox, CEO, 2018 Special Olympics USA Games
#ChooseToInclude
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Family Treatment Court receives third consecutive National Peer Learning Court designation
King County Family Treatment Court is one of eight courts in the country to receive the 2018 National Peer Learning Court designation by Children and Family Futures.
Jill Murphy (left), King County Family Treatment Court Program Manager, receives a National Peer Learning Court Certificate of Appreciation from Kelly Blue, Associate Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, during the National Association of Drug Court Professionals conference.
Through a rigorous application process, Children and Family Futures designated eight family drug courts to serve as mentors for the National Peer Learning Court program. Having demonstrated commitment to evidence-supported practices, innovative strategies to improve outcomes for children and families, and a strong foundation of collaboration among the court, child welfare, and substance use treatment agencies, the 2018 National Peer Learning Courts will continue helping advance the family drug court movement by furthering the exchange of learning through peer-to-peer technical assistance. Peer Learning Courts host visiting Family Drug Court professionals to experience their court in action and share proven policies, practices and lessons learned. This improves outcomes nationwide for the children – and the parents – of involved families.
For KCFTC, this is its second redesignation. Having been a best-practices leader in the Family Drug Court field, the court received its initial designation as a National Peer Learning Court in 2014 and was first redesignated as a mentor in 2016.
Pictured from left to right: back row; Program Specialist Dajani Winzer, Program Specialist Kandice Trenary, Family Recovery Support Specialist Teresa Anderson-Harper, Program Supervisor Jill Murphy – front row; Treatment Specialist Michelle Szozda, Family Recovery Support Specialist Michelle Thomas, Treatment Specialist April Wilson. (Not pictured: Treatment Specialist Cathy Lehmann.)
Jill Murphy is the KCFTC Parents for Parents Program Supervisor with King County Superior Court, and she leads a team of Family Recovery Support Specialists, Treatment Specialists and Program Specialists. She’s been with King County since 2008, and has been supervising the Parents for Parents Program for 10 years. When asked what it means for King County to be redesignated as a National Peer Learning Court, she said, “It is an opportunity to continue to help serve other community leaders who are working to improve the system both locally and nationally, and it is an opportunity to help child-welfare-involved families be seen, be heard and be valued.”
KCFTC’s mission is to promote the health, safety and welfare of children in the dependency system by actively intervening to address the drug, alcohol and other service needs of families through integrated, culturally competent and judicially managed collaboration that facilitates timely reunification or an alternative permanency plan. Originally implemented in 2004 and supported by a Federal Bureau of Justice Assistance Demonstration Grant, KCFTC was sustained with local County funding. KCFTC then used the County’s Mental Illness and Drug Dependency (MIDD) fund to expand in 2009, and in 2016 used MIDD funds and a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant to expand, increasing the number of children served each year from 30 to 140. The program now has six social workers and can carry a caseload of 78 children at any one time between two court locations; a full-day court in Seattle and another in Kent.
“With the SAMHSA grant, we were able to expand our Kent court to a full day calendar, and hire two Family Recovery Support Specialists,” said Murphy. “These specialists are parents who have completed the program successfully, and they are a key factor in the success of our program. They serve as liaisons between program participants, family, team, and treatment organizations to eliminate obstacles to recovery and child well-being. They also help connect participants to community resources, supports, and tools to sustain their recover after exiting the program.”
The University of Washington conducted research about the KCFTC’s process, outcome and disproportionality evaluations, and summarized the statistically significant findings about the KCFTC participants in contrast to comparison groups:
- parents were more likely to be admitted to and use treatment services than comparison group parents.
- parents entered treatment sooner, remained in treatment longer, and were more likely to be successfully discharged.
- children spent less time in out-of-home placements and less time in the child welfare system.
- children were more likely to be permanently reunified with their parent or be on a trial home visit with their parent.
- families of cultural minorities in the KCFTC had more positive outcomes than families of color in the comparison group; comparisons with white families in KCFTC were mixed.
This Peer Learning Court mentorship program has been funded by a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention since 2012 and is one component of a variety of technical assistance available through the National Family Drug Court Training and Technical Assistance Program. With this year’s Peer Learning Court designation, KCFTC is joined by Missouri’s Dunklin County Family Treatment Court, Colorado’s Jefferson County Family Integrated Treatment Court, Florida’s Miami-Dade County Dependency Drug Court, California’s Sacramento County Early Identification Family Drug Court, New York’s Tompkins County Family Treatment Court, Oklahoma’s Tulsa County Family Drug Court, and Iowa’s Wapello County Family Treatment Court.
For those interested in visiting KCFTC and receiving mentoring, the program has three hosting availabilities each year, with a capacity for eight people each.
For more information about receiving peer mentoring, contact Jill Murphy, LICSW, at 206-477-2311 or Jill.Murphy@KingCounty.gov. For more information about training and technical assistance available, visit the Center for Children and Family Futures website.
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Chief Operating Officer visits King County International Airport
Chief Operating Officer Casey Sixkiller recently visited King County International Airport (KCIA) to meet with employees and learn more about the airport and some of the priorities they are working on.
From left to right: Mark Witsoe, Marketing and Business Development Manager, Casey Sixkiller, Chief Operating Officer, Michael Colmant, Interim Director, Caroline Whalen, County Administrator, Harold Taniguchi, Director of Transportation, Charity Catalfomo, Interim Deputy Director, Ben Pritchard, Continuous Improvement Specialist, and Tricia Diamond, Program Manager
KCIA, also known as Boeing Field, is one of the nation’s busiest primary non-hub airports, averaging around 200,000 operations annually. In turn, 16,336 jobs are directly linked to Boeing Field and $1.8 billion in labor income, and its operations support $3.5 billion in local business sales.
“I was delighted to hear firsthand how our employees are working to provide customers a safe and consistent experience every time they use or visit King County International Airport,” Sixkiller said. “It was also great to learn about their efforts to advance the Executive’s vision for a Best-Run Government by utilizing lean principles to improve business operations and the customer and employee experiences.”
Sixkiller met with Michael Colmant, the Interim Director of King County International Airport, Charity Catalfomo, Interim Deputy Director, and staff who shared some of their department priorities, including facility expansions and local business collaborations. They also discussed new safety projects and their employee engagement efforts through their Investing in YOU work.
Since being named Chief Operating Officer by Executive Constantine in January, Sixkiller has been meeting employees and leaders at different worksites across King County, and he was grateful for the opportunity to meet with staff at KCIA.
“I want to thank the KCIA team for a warm welcome, informative briefing, and tour of the airfield,” Sixkiller said.
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Free admission: King County Employee Day at the races Sunday, July 15
King County employees and one guest will receive free admission to Emerald Downs Racetrack this Sunday, July 15 for the King County Express Stakes, which includes a Food Truck Day in the park and an Equine Art Show on track level.
Employees must show their King County ID at any of the 12 gates, which will provide the employee and one guest tickets that include free admission, official program and tip sheet, and chips and soda. Children 17 and under get in free.
In addition to this year’s King County Express Stakes, there will be the Boeing Stakes, the Angie C. Stakes, and the Mt. Rainier Stakes – the final prep race for the richest race of the season, The Longacres Mile.
Schedule:
- 12:30 p.m. Newcomers Center open
- 1 p.m. Food trucks open
- 1 p.m. First race
- 7 p.m. Racing concludes
Parking: Free general parking with shuttle service to the building | Valet $15 | Preferred Parking $10
Seating: There are plenty of seats, umbrella tables and benches available on a first-come, first-served basis
- Grandstand seats $2.50
- Box seats (with cocktail and limited menu service) $40 for a 4-seat box; and $60 for a 6-seat box
- Restaurant reservations (full service restaurant with your table reserved for you through the race day)
- Paid seating options. Please call customer service at 253-288-7711
Equine Art Show: The Horse and a Whole Lot More
The purpose of the show is to encourage equine artists and to support the arts, in general, as an integral part of all horse-related sports. The annual art show has garnered recognition since its inception in 1980 at the WTBOA Sales Pavilion at Longacres. In 2018, we celebrate our 19th year of continued growth and success at Emerald Downs.
Food Truck Festival
The tastiest trucks from all over the Pacific Northwest have been invited down to Auburn! As many as 12 food trucks will gather in Paddock Park, competing for the People’s Choice Award and Best in Show.
For more information, visit the Emerald Downs site.
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Administration Building 5th Avenue entry ADA wheelchair lift replacement begins July 12
The Administration Building ADA wheelchair lift at the 5th Avenue entry is scheduled to be replaced. Construction will begin July 12 and the new lift is scheduled to be in operation by September.
The ADA-accessible route into the Administration Building will be closed during construction. An alternative route is through the Chinook Building at 401 5th Avenue, proceeding through the tunnel to the first floor of the Administration Building.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact the FMD Customer Care Services Team at 206-477-9400 or CustomerCareServices.FMD@KingCounty.gov.
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Get to know Gary Kurihara, Chief Performance Officer
King County Executive Dow Constantine has launched a new video series introducing the five members of his Senior Leadership Team, starting with Gary Kurihara, Chief Performance Officer.
“Unfortunately, despite considerable effort over the years, I have not yet mastered the ability to be in more than one place at one time,” Executive Constantine said in an email launching the video series. “So I rely on my Senior Leadership Team – which currently includes Budget Director Dwight Dively, Chief of Staff Rachel Smith, Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams, Chief Performance Officer Gary Kurihara and Chief Operating Officer Casey Sixkiller – to also make time to meet with you and keep me informed about the issues, successes and challenges that they learn about.”
Learn more about Kurihara, what brought him to King County and what he’s working on in the video below.
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Discover savings strategies to create the retirement you want
You and your spouse or significant other are invited to learn more about the King County Deferred Compensation Plan at education sessions offered throughout the year.
In-person sessions are coming up July 17 — 19. Go online for details and registration. For the complete education schedule and list of webinars, go to the Deferred Compensation web site.
If you have any questions, email KCDeferredComp@KingCounty.gov.
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Kudos! to Public Health’s Dr. Matt Golden
Matthew R. Golden, M.D., M.P.H. Photo courtesy UWMedicine.org.
Public Health HIV/STD Program Director Matt Golden, M.D., M.P.H. received the annual Nettie Award from Beyond AIDS for leading the first successful North American campaign to reach the UNAIDS goal of 90-90-90 by 2020. Dr. Golden is the first in the United States to be granted the award! Read more on our 90-90-90 accomplishment on Public Health Insider.
Thank you, Public Health!
Kudos, Dr. Golden!
Employee News 