RASKC employee secures ASPCA grant to help cats
Records and Licensing Services’ Nickie Ford, Animal Services Coordinator with RASKC, did the due diligence and good work necessary to gain approval for a grant from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals worth $6,700. The grant will cover the cost of retrofitting stainless steel kennels with portals, joining adjacent kennels and creating multi-room “kitty condos” similar to those recently purchased through a Petco Foundation grant.
The ASPCA grant will cover the cost of 50 portals installed, and the installation should be complete by the end of summer. The cats will then have more room to move around, experience less stress, be happier and get adopted more quickly!
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Educating the community about restoring felon voting rights
Crossposted from Election Connection
It’s important for voters to make their voice heard. Here in Washington State we take extra steps to ensure that all people who can vote, know they have the right to do so. This extends to felon voting rights, and helping each person understand their right to vote and need to register.
Recently, a woman in Texas made headlines for voting in a general election while still on probation. She had broken a state law that does not allow convicted felons to vote until their entire sentence has been served. Unaware of these voting restrictions under Texas law, she was sentenced to five years.
This tragic story is a reminder of the importance of voter education. In Washington State, a voter’s right is automatically restored when they are no longer under the authority of the Department of Corrections (DOC). This also means someone convicted of a felony in another state or federal court has the right to vote restored to them when they are no longer incarcerated for that felony. These individuals simply need to re-register to vote, which can be done online, by mail or in person. If this woman had been here in Washington, she would have been informed that her right to vote has been reinstated upon release from the DOC, and encouraged to re-register.
Read more at Election Connection,
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Featured Job: Communications Specialist IV
Closing: 06/11/18 11:59 PM (GMT -8:00)
Salary: $85,015.42 – $107,762.10 Annually
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hours per week
Department: Department of Public Defense
Job Number: 2018IVB08157
Description: King County Department of Public Defense is seeking a Communications Specialist IV to manage DPD’s communications within the restrictions required by the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct. The successful candidate will be an experienced professional with strong communications, a proven background in storytelling and writing, expertise managing leadership communications, ability to think strategically, outstanding relationship-building skills, a demonstrated commitment to collaboration and capable of working in a fast-paced environment and juggling multiple assignments. Top-tier candidates will possess leadership skills, ability to manage projects and teams, understand how to build and foster effective relationships, communicate with transparency and clarity, and work in a complex and constantly evolving environment. Bring your passion for storytelling and your expertise in communications and help us make a difference for our employees and the clients and communities we serve.
Contact: For more information, contact Irma Van Buskirk at Irma.VanBuskirk@KingCounty.gov or 206-263-9002.
Learn more about this position or all available jobs.
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Social Media Spotlight: King County Parks on Twitter
King County Parks is hosting the BBY5K this weekend at Marymoor Park, one of 200 parks …and 175 miles of trail, 28,000 acres of open space, and unlimited awesome!
There is a lot happening in Your Big Backyard this summer. Stay informed by following King County Parks on Twitter today @iheartkcparks!
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Celebrating Best Starts for Kids’ school partnerships
Crossposted from Best Starts for Kids Blog
Schools have a lot of jobs. In addition to education, schools are tasked with helping children, young people, and families navigate challenges in their lives and connect to the resources they need to succeed. That’s why schools and the organizations that support them are critical partners in accomplishing Best Starts for Kids’ vision.
Executive Constantine discusses students’ mental health needs with the health center’s behavioral health provider.
On Tuesday, Best Starts for Kids partners working in the Bellevue School District met with Executive Constantine at Highland Middle School to celebrate these partnerships and discuss how Best Starts for Kids can continue to collaborate with schools across King County.
Highland Middle School exemplifies how Best Starts school partnerships collectively impact students’ health and well-being. Highland is the site of one of three new Best Starts for Kids-funded school-based health centers. Operated by International Community Health Services in partnership with Youth East Side Services, the center provides medical and mental health services to students at no cost to their families.
In addition to opening the health center, this school year Highland staff received training in trauma-informed care from Youth Eastside Services through a trauma-informed and restorative practices grant. Beginning this summer, students experiencing homelessness in the Bellevue District will be able to enroll in a high quality summer and after school learning program focused on science and technology. In the 2018-19 school year, middle school students in Bellevue and 11 other King County school districts will receive expanded mental health screening and referrals.
Collectively addressing changing needs on the Eastside
Executive Constantine hears from a provider during the school-based health center tour.
All of these services provide a platform for lifelong health and well-being, as well as success in school. Partners stressed the impact the health center and other Best Starts-funded programs have already had on students, families, and staff, particularly in reducing barriers to important services.
“For the first time, when I’m sitting with a family and barriers come up, I can say, ‘I have the resources to address that here,’” said Highland Middle School Principal Katie Klug.
International Community Health Services CEO Terasita Batayola emphasized the need to support immigrant and refugee students and families in the Bellevue School District. Nearly half of Highland students speak a language other than English as their first language. “[Immigrant and refugee] youth carry the burden of making sure their families are connected,” said Batayola. “The stress and anxiety for them is huge.”
A whole child approach
Across King County, Best Starts for Kids partnerships support schools and school communities to address the many factors that support physical, social, and emotional well-being. Sometimes called a “whole child approach” or “whole child education,” these supports help schools and their partners create environments that are safe, supportive, respectful and engaging for all young people, families and school staff.
Together, these supports provide a platform for students to not only achieve academically, but grow into happy, healthy, thriving young people. For Highland Principal Klug, the idea of embracing the whole child is nothing new. What’s different? “Now,” she said, “we have the resources to put that into action.”
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Executive Constantine delivers keynote address at KCIT’s annual all-hands
More than 300 of King County’s award-winning technology professionals gathered for KCIT’s Library Day 2018, which was held at Seattle Central Library May 22. Executive Constantine’s Chief Operating Officer Casey Sixkiller opened the event with remarks about the role technology plays in moving King County priorities forward. Chief Information Officer and KCIT Director Tanya Hannah discussed KCIT’s roadmap to engagement, and how KCIT employees play a crucial role in this process.
Whitney Abrams, Executive Constantine’s Chief People Officer, gave an overview of the “Investing in YOU” strategy for creating a workplace culture where all employees can do their best work, and the many reasons county employees choose King County as their employer. Chief Technology Officer Aaron Barak also spoke on the career development opportunities KCIT has produced to enrich the employee experience, and Sharon Potts, Director of Enterprise Business Services, shared future opportunities and projects within IT.
In his keynote address, Executive Constantine shared personal stories of how technology has played a critical role in our changing communities and work environments. With the theme of the day being “empowering employees and transforming government,” the Executive expressed his appreciation for the many great services KCIT provides every day, and emphasized how the County, through Investing in YOU, is working to meet the aspirations of employees by providing a variety of career opportunities, healthy work options and competitive compensation packages.
To close the event, the employees from the office of the CIO held a special recognition for Tanya for being selected as KCIT’s new Chief Information Officer. They presented cards and flowers for her, and ice cream sundaes for everyone!
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Pet of the Week: Callie
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC
Cuddlebug Callie is our Pet of the Week!
This senior girl is a gentle and loving cat, and likes to take things slow – so we’re calling her one of our pets with a “Bashful Blue” personality. She may get a little nervous in new situations, and will do best with a family who understands she may need some time to warm up. Once she gets to know you, she would love to cuddle with you in your lap!
Callie may not get along with other cats, and would do best in a home as an only kitty. She wants your love all to herself!
Callie is litter box trained, spayed, current on vaccinations, and microchipped. Her adoption fee includes a certificate for a free veterinary exam and the option of 30 days of free pet insurance through Trupanion.
You can find out more about Callie on our website, at kingcounty.gov/AdoptAPet, or meet her in person at the King County Pet Adoption Center in Kent.
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Five great ways to bike everywhere
Five great ways to bike everywhere
Crossposted from the King County Parks Plog
Bike Everywhere Month is ending, but you can continue to add miles to your biking adventures throughout the year! Try these five tips from the Parks Plog:
- Add biking to your daily commute.
- Take the path less travelled.
- Solve the last mile with bike shares.
- Get motivated with peer pressure.
- Go out and explore.
Read the full post for more information on each tip. Get out and explore Your Big Backyard!
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Third payday of the month today
Most King County employees get paid on a biweekly basis. Since there are 52 weeks in a year, there are actually 26 pay periods. So, two months each year you will receive three paychecks—this year, that happens today and on Nov. 29.
The net dollar amount of these two paychecks may be larger because not all deductions are taken out. For example, Deferred Compensation, supplemental insurance premiums, Benefit Access Fees, and Employee Giving donations are not deducted from these “third” paychecks.
For more information about your paycheck, go to Payroll or speak with your department Payroll representative or timekeeper.
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June is Ride Transit Month
Ride Transit Month is right around the corner! During the month of June, transportation partners and supporters across Washington will collaborate to show our appreciation for our riders. Get on board and pledge to show your support for transportation before June 1. It’s quick, easy and enters you for a chance to win special prizes!
To learn more about your employee transportation benefits, visit the Employee Transportation Program website.
Employee News 