Press conference held to announce prepaid postage request
Crossposted from the Election Connection blog
On Wednesday, March 28, we held a press conference to share our proposal for prepaid postage with local media. The press conference featured our director Julie Wise, King County Executive Dow Constantine and Councilmember Rod Dembowski.
“When I was elected, one of my commitments was to remove barriers to voting,” Julie said. “As we increase access with prepaid postage and ballot drop boxes, we’re beginning to see a real impact.”
Our proposal builds on the successful work we did testing prepaid postage early last year. Our prepaid postage pilot resulted in more engaged voters and a higher voter turnout rate. This proves the importance of prepaid postage and is one more way we’re working hard to give voters additional ways to make their voice heard. This includes quadrupling ballot drop boxes, continuing to translate materials and engaging the community in our voter education fund.
Pictured: Left to right, Councilmember Rod Dembowski, Elections Director Julie Wise, King County Executive Dow Constantine.
This proposal will allow for prepaid postage throughout the rest of this year, to be used in the August and November elections. Afterwards, prepaid postage will be an annual budget item.
For more information about how we’re helping people exercise their right to vote, read the official press release about the conference.
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Kudos! Best Start for Kids team has a great first year
KING 5 News tweet: King County program helped 4,000 people from becoming homeless http://kng5.tv/2FTw8Pr
“The numbers are in — and county leaders say a new program aimed at homeless prevention has had great success in its first year. The “Best Start of Kids” initiative prevented 4,000 people from becoming homeless.”
Congratulations! Here’s to many more successful years!
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Employee Spotlight: Using restorative justice to help youth in crisis
Crossposted from the King County Youth Justice blog
Jimmy Hung, a senior deputy prosecuting attorney in the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, sees the juvenile justice system from the inside. He has a passion for helping youth in crisis, and he’s been instrumental in bringing restorative justice practices to this work.
Via King County TV, learn more about Jimmy Hung and how he’s helping kids make better decisions and stay on a positive path.
Read more at King County Youth Justice
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Featured Job: Clean Water Ambassadors – High School Internship Program
Salary: $15.82 Hourly
Location: King Street Center, Seattle, WA
Job Type: Intern
Department: Department of Natural Resources & Parks – Wastewater Treatment Division
Job Number: 2018SN07926
Closing: 5/15/2018 11:59 PM Pacific
Description: The Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) education and outreach team is partnering with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust to provide a high school summer internship program. We are seeking ten interns interested in learning how government agencies, nonprofit organizations and local communities influence the health of the waterways in the Puget Sound region. Interns will gain a deep understanding of the role we all play in this issue, and the careers that contribute to improving water quality and protecting the environment. The hope is for interns to pass on the knowledge they gain to members of their school and community.
The position is effective July 5th through August 15th. Approx. 25 hours per week.
Contact: For more information, contact Kristin Covey at 206-263-8856 or Kristin.Covey@KingCounty.gov.
Learn more about this position or all available jobs.
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Social Media Spotlight: Local Hazardous Waste Management Program blog
The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County (LHWMP) is a regional partnership established to protect public health and the environment throughout King County by reducing the risks of production, use, storage and disposal of hazardous materials.
Follow the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program blog today.
Click here to view all King County social media pages.
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Mindfulness classes filling up fast!
Crossposted from the Healthy Incentives blog
Classes still available, but continue to fill up fast. Sign up for a session today!
The popular Mindfulness classes are filling up fast, especially classes held in downtown Seattle. If you’re interested in taking a class, consider attending a session at a worksite outside of the downtown area, or sign up for fall sessions now to reserve your spot.
Read more at Healthy Incentives
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Pet of the Week: Delia
Crossposted from the Tails from RASKC blog
Looking for a cuddly calico cat? Our Pet of the Week Delia will fit the bill!
This beautiful six-year-old girl has a big personality! Delia is a very sweet cat who loves petting, treats, and hanging out on her favorite cat tree.
Delia’s personality color is Rambunctious Red, meaning she is a spirited cat with a fun-loving personality. She can sometimes be sensitive to handling, so she would do best with a cat-savvy family who knows when to give her some space.
Read more at Tails from RASKC
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Executive Constantine proclaims Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in King County
King County Executive Dow Constantine today proclaimed April 4, 2018, to be Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in King County:
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King County’s Supported Employment Program recognized by Washington Autism Alliance & Advocacy
Pictured: Community and Human Services Assistant Division Director and WAAA Honoree Holly Woo, Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams, Supported Employment Program Manager Christina Davidson. Photo courtesy of Chad Baker Photography
Washington Autism Alliance & Advocacy recognized King County’s efforts in supported employment “for the County’s commitment to increasing the number of individuals hired with developmental disabilities,” at an event on Thursday, March 15.
On behalf of King County Executive Dow Constantine, the County’s Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams accepted the recognition during the WAAALL of Impact Benefit Luncheon at The Rainier Club in Seattle.
“At King County, we have a strong commitment to hiring a workforce that is truly reflective of our community and those we serve,” Whitney told attendees at the event. “I am extremely proud of all we have done in King County to support employment for people with developmental disabilities and humbled by receiving recognition for this work.”
King County’s commitment to supported employment started in 1990, when the King County Council created an initiative to provide paid, competitive employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities into integrated work settings in response to the issue of employment inequality.
Executive Constantine urges all King County departments to look at their recruitment plans and see how Supported Employment positions can meet their business needs and Equity and Social Justice goals. Supported Employment Program Manager Christina Davidson makes it happen. “King County wants to be part of the solution as well as a model for the best path forward by providing part-time to full-time career opportunities with livable wages and benefits,” said Christina. “Having representatives with developmental disabilities in our workforce is powerful. It demonstrates to our employees and the community what people can accomplish and contribute every day. This helps break down stigmas and barriers to employment and community inclusion.”
WAAA works diligently to bridge the gap between the many health and education policies that exist to serve children and adults with developmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, and the educators, politicians, and medical providers who want to support these policies. Their mission is to “ensure that all children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disabilities have every opportunity to thrive and become productive members of society.
“We recognize there is still much more work to be done to increase equitable employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities,” added Whitney, “but through programs like ours, and by working together as a community, we can help everyone in our society grow, thrive and succeed.”
Visit the WAAA and King County Supported Employment Program sites to learn more, and contact Christina Davidson to explore program opportunities within your team.
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Expanding innovative volunteer opportunities to help our neighbors transition out of homelessness
Shared from Executive Constantine’s Executive Summary Newsletter
People often ask me, “What can I personally do to help confront the homelessness crisis?” I recently announced two new partnerships that offer more volunteer opportunities to help our neighbors get back on their feet.
We are making a vacant King County warehouse on Harbor Island available to a pair of nonprofits that will use the space to expand their volunteer-driven operations to help more people and families transition out of homelessness.
You can sign up with The BLOCK Project to host a small, self-contained home in your backyard. The staff and volunteers will work with your neighbors to create a welcoming space for people who are transitioning out of homelessness. You also can volunteer at the warehouse to help build the small homes, which are designed by local architects to be sustainable and energy efficient.
Or you can come by to help Humble Design furnish other homes for families who are transitioning out of a shelter with few or no personal possessions, such as beds, furniture, or toys. You also can donate lightly used furniture — our partners at U-Haul are providing a new moving truck — to help create inviting, personal spaces where children feel at home.
This is the type of innovative solution that Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, and I envisioned when we convened One Table: Under one roof, governments, businesses, philanthropies, nonprofits, and the good people of our community working together to ensure that all people in King County have a safe, warm place to sleep each night.
Thank you, as always, for the opportunity to serve.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
(Watch Mitch Pittman’s KOMO News coverage)
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