Deferred Compensation Plan education offered
Consider expanding your retirement savings through the Deferred Compensation Plan, a voluntary 457 account offered to King County employees. The plan allows you to defer a portion of your paycheck to a variety of investment options before taxes are deducted, reducing your taxable pay now and helping you save for the future.
You and your spouse or significant other are each invited to attend one of the webinar education sessions scheduled throughout the year. For details and registration, go to Deferred Compensation Plan webinars.
You are also invited to attend the following in-person education sessions: Savings Strategy, Achieving Financial Goals, Retirement Savings Options, and Women and Retirement. For details and registration, go to Deferred Compensation Plan in-person education sessions.
Session descriptions:
Savings Strategy: Learn about plan details and the “we believes” developed by T. Rowe Price. It is intended to inform employees on the features of their plan and explore strategies that may help them build and save for their own retirement.
Achieving Financial Goals: Learn how to prioritize and achieve your unique financial goals. The presentation anchors on retirement savings being a primary goal and addresses other competing financial priorities, such as paying down debt or saving for a college education. The presentation will review services and features available through the plan and T. Rowe Price.
Retirement Savings Options: Learn about plan details and the distribution options available within the plan. It is intended to educate employees on their options (presented in a fair and balanced way), review financial considerations of each option, and discuss what they need to do to carry out a distribution decision.
Women and Retirement: This presentation reviews the unique considerations women may have when it comes to saving and investing for retirement. This session is intended to educate plan participants on recognizing those unique considerations, anchors on retirement, and addresses other competing financial priorities such as paying down debt or saving for a college education. The presentation will highlight services and features available through the plan and T. Rowe Price.
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Second workshop for US – The Untold Story Project is April 17 in Renton
The Untold Story project, in support of the county’s commitment to lead with racial justice, invites employees of color to submit a 750-word story of how racism has affected them and their sense of self, belonging, or worth. Examples can be found on the project website. Stories are due May 25. Submitters are cautioned that this project is not a forum for discrimination or sexual harassment complaints, which must be legally addressed by Human Resources.
Florangela Davila
The second in a series of three lunchtime workshops to assist potential submitters in writing their story is April 17 at the Renton Elections Office. It will be led by arts journalist Florangela Davila, who has worked in radio as well as in print and online publications. She has taught undergrads at Seattle University and the University of Washington, and has led teams of young female filmmakers in producing videos for local non-profits as part of ReelGrrls. She has won local, regional, and national awards.
Last month, poet and playwright Daemond Arrindell gave the first workshop, which was held at King Street Center. Asked what they liked best about the workshop, participants gave these responses:
- Learning how to be word specific
- The whole workshop
- The teacher, his experiences, craft of storytelling
- Freedom to write without judgement
- Word cutting exercise, to clarify what’s essential
- The writing exercises
The third workshop is scheduled for May 1 with poet and essayist Jourdan Imani Keith. Registration is online.
Because stories are meant to be shared, the stories collected as part of this project will be made available online for all employees to read this summer. In the fall, several events open to all employees will feature local performance artists presenting some of the stories, followed by a facilitated discussion on racism. The Untold Story project is based on the premise that story is what connects us and helps us understand each other.
For more information, contact Julia Yen or Donna Miscolta.
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Reminder: Rev Up for Retirement seminar, April 25
Are you too young to think about retirement? Think again! This retirement overview is for anyone who thinks they may retire in the next few years. With increasing concern over the future of Social Security and the stability of retirement plans, it’s a good idea to stay informed and prepare in advance.
Join us for a three-hour seminar featuring guest speaker Jean Cormier, who will discuss your Medicare choices and options, and representatives from the Social Security Administration and the Retired Public Employees Council of Washington.
We’ll also talk about the current retirement climate and projections for the future, and the resources available to you through King County.
Wednesday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eighth Floor Conference Center, King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle
Registration is required. Due to space limitations, only county employees may attend. Please note attendance is strictly voluntary, on your own time, and non-work related. For more information, email King County Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations at KC.Orientations@kingcounty.gov.
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King County Public Health now oversees juvenile justice to focus on healing
Crossposted from the KCYouthJustice blog
By John Knicely, KIRO 7 News
Juvenile justice now falls under the direction of King County Public Health. On Wednesday, King County Executive Dow Constantine unveiled plans that have been in the works since November.
The idea is to focus on healing and rehabilitating the youth offender to have charges reduced or thrown out.
Jahila Moody is a prime example of the desired outcome.
“Summer of 2016, I had a felony and a misdemeanor,” Moody told KIRO 7.
Now she’s a high school graduate working at the University of Washington. She avoided jail time by going through the 180 Program and Community Passageways – both programs emphasized in the new approach.
See the rest of the story at KIRO 7.
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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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