Success at work!
This article is featured courtesy of Karla Lynch, Employment and Community Access Program Manager, with Department of Community and Human Services
When we think about our careers, and how we landed in our present jobs, we recognize that each path is unique. The same is true for persons with developmental disabilities (DD). In the early days of the supported employment movement, most people who experienced a developmental disability worked in sheltered workshops – segregated settings in which persons with DD worked together, typically performing a variety of manual tasks.
As we’ve learned more about how to effectively support persons with DD, employment opportunities have expanded to community businesses, and both the state and federal government have provided guidance to transition all employment opportunities for persons with DD to the community by March 2019. This transition has been happening in King County for some time with the majority of individuals currently supported in jobs in the community. The King County Developmental Disabilities Division (KCDDD) continues to provide Technical Assistance, Person-Centered Planning and other supports to individuals, families, and service providers who are transitioning to community employment.
Lonnie’s journey: Finding the right fit
Lonnie began working in sheltered employment at SKCAC Industries and Employment Services in 1990. His first community-based jobs included positions with Clowns Unlimited, the Washington Patrol Division, and the Kent Fire Department warehouse. He also did intermittent work for the Seattle Mariners, and the Sounders, but he wanted something more… and he was clear that money is important to him! With support from SKCAC to find the “right fit,” Lonnie now works a total of four days per week for two different companies: D & L Manufacturing in Auburn, and Yamato Transport in Kent. SKCAC supports Lonnie by checking in with his employers, and by assisting him with anything that he may need to be successful on the job.
Michele’s story: From reluctance to excitement
In 1976, Michele connected with Northwest Center, where she began learning packaging and assembly skills. She gained confidence, skills, and established valuable and lasting friendships with her co-workers. Each year, Michele and her guardian and other support providers met to explore the idea of working in the community. Each year, Michele offered an emphatic “No!” in response. Knowing that her current work opportunity would no longer be available after March 2019, Michele eventually agreed to participate in job sampling, business tours, and visits with prior co-workers at their new places of employment. These opportunities allowed Michele to see that the skills she’d developed in the workshop could be used in the community, and she began to get excited about the idea of finding a job. In May 2017, with the support of Northwest Center, Michele accepted a position as a Lobby Attendant at Wendy’s, where she works five days per week, for two hours per shift. Each day, she eagerly arrives at work with a beaming smile, ready to put on her apron and do her job. She has built wonderful friendships with regular customers, and she’s the happiest she’s ever been!
To learn more about supported employment, and other services provided by the King County Developmental Disabilities Division, please call 206-263-9105 or send an email to DDD@kingcounty.gov.
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Domestic partner changes for 2018
Effective Jan. 1, 2018, for most union groups and all non-represented employees, domestic partners and their children will not be eligible for King County benefits, except for state-registered domestic partners. King County will continue to offer employee benefits to non-state-registered domestic partners and their children for the remainder of 2017.
Why is King County making this change? King County previously extended employee benefits to the domestic partners of employees to correct an inequity in benefits provided to same-sex couples. This policy was enacted at a time when same-sex marriage was prohibited in Washington. However, a Supreme Court ruling granted same-sex couples the right to legally marry in all U.S. states in June 2015. Married same-sex couples are now eligible for the same benefits and tax advantages as other married couples.
King County and its labor unions determined that offering benefits only to state-registered domestic partners would create consistency with state law and help mitigate the effects of rising health care costs.
How do I register my domestic partnership? State-registered domestic partnerships are offered only when at least one of the partners is age 62 or older. Go to the Washington Secretary of State website for more information or to declare a state-registered domestic partnership.
Options and impact for 2018
Those whose King County benefits are ending Dec. 31, 2017, will have the opportunity to pay to continue health coverage through COBRA for up to 18 months.
Your 2018 color level will be based solely on your participation in this year’s program.
Affected employee groups
This applies to all employees except those in the following union groups (as of Sept. 18, 2017):
- King County Police Officers Guild (KCPOG)—King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO)
- Puget Sound Police Managers Association (PSPMA)—Captains & Lieutenants(KCSO)
- Technical Employees Association (TEA)—Transit Division
For more information view the FAQ: Domestic Partner 2018 Changes, COBRA, Washington Secretary of State Domestic Partnership Declaration, Washington Secretary of State FAQ or contact King County Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations at 206-684-1556 or KC.Benefits@kingcounty.gov.
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Employee survey extended until Friday, Oct. 13
Dear fellow King County employee,
King County Executive Dow Constantine
To make sure we are hearing from as many employees as possible, the 2017 Employee Survey has been extended by one week and will now close this Friday, October 13.
This year’s survey period was one week shorter than last year’s, and while our daily response rates are higher than in 2016, we have not heard from as many total employees as we did last year. Employees in all branches and departments of King County, except the Superior Court, District Court and the Sheriff’s Office, and employees who are not Short Term Temps, interns or started before August 25, 2017, are participating in the survey.
If you have already taken the survey this year, thank you. Your feedback is vital in making King County work better for all employees and residents.
If you haven’t completed the survey yet, you should receive a reminder email tomorrow, October 10, with the subject “King County Employee Survey – 2017” from 2017KCEmployeeSurvey@orcsurvey.com inviting you to take the survey by Friday, October 13. This link is unique to you and cannot be forwarded to others.
Please take 10-20 minutes and complete the survey – your supervisor will ensure you have the work time to do so and your responses are completely anonymous. For questions about the survey visit www.kingcounty.gov/employeesurvey.
Thank you for sharing your views on how we can work better for you and the people of King County.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
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Employee Giving Campaign: Message from John Wilson and Matias Valenzuela
Dear King County Employee,
As King County employees, we are fortunate to work and live in one of the most dynamic and diverse areas in the nation, with a robust economy, world-class universities, stunning landscapes, and a strong sense of community. Not everybody, however, has equitable access to opportunity, and we as County employees play a key role in changing this and creating a better region for all.
It is in the spirit of community that we invite you to participate in the King County Employee Giving Program’s 2017 Annual Giving Drive. With many ways to give, and hundreds of participating nonprofit organizations, there is an opportunity to participate in any manner that works best for you.
From now to November 17, you can go online or use a paper form to make a pledge to your favorite Employee Giving Program nonprofits by:
- Payroll Donation: One-time, once–per-month, or twice–per-month.
- Time Donation: Eligible vacation or comp time. See your department Lead Ambassador for details in your office.
- Check: Made out directly to the nonprofit.
Every contribution is significant toward ensuring that everyone has equitable access to resources they need to thrive and that our diverse community is strong and healthy. Just $5 per pay period can make a big difference to the people, animals, ecosystems, and services supported by these nonprofits. Learn more at kingcounty.gov/giving.
Want to learn more about the impact you can have? Join us at one of the upcoming Nonprofit Expos at the following locations:
- 10/12 – Chinook, Rooms 121 – 123 (Seattle)
- 10/18 – *DPER (Snoqualmie)
- 10/24 – Dexter Horton Training room
- 10/25 – Regional Justice Center (Kent)
- 10/30 – King County Courthouse, 4th Floor, Solutions Room
- 11/1 – Chinook, Room 126
- 11/8 – King County RCECC – Renton
*All expos run from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., with the exception of Snoqualmie which runs from 8 – 9 a.m.
Together, we have a much greater impact on our communities than any one of us can achieve alone. We stand with our County’s namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with his vision:
“I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits.”
Thank you,
Your 2017 Annual Giving Drive Honorary Co-Chairs
John Wilson Matias Valenzuela
King County Assessor Director, Equity and Social Justice
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Social Media Spotlight: What’s up with Stormwater? Facebook
Stormwater runoff is the water that flows off of hard, impermeable surfaces–like roofs, sidewalks, and roads–when it rains. This water picks up pollutants before it flows into stormdrains that then take the untreated water and dump it directly into streams, rivers, lakes, and Puget Sound. Pollution from stormwater runoff is currently the number one source of pollution in Puget Sound. King County is working hard to fix this problem, but we can’t do it alone. Like our page to learn more about what you can do to help protect our environment from dirty stormwater and to stay up to date with what King County is doing to manage stormwater.
Follow What’s up with Stormwater? on Facebook today!
Click here to view all King County social media pages.
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Featured Job: Health and Environmental Investigator IV
Closing Date/Time: Open continuously
Salary: $40.53 – $51.38 Hourly
Job Type: Career Service
Location: Chinook Building, Downtown Seattle, Washington
Department: Department of Public Health–Environmental Health Services
Description: The Environmental Health Services Division is seeking, enthusiastic and dedicated Health and Environmental Inspector Supervisor (HEI IV) for the Solid Waste, Rodent Control and Zoonotic Diseases Program, Public Health Seattle – King County. Under the direction of the Community Environmental Health (CEH) Section Manager, the supervisor oversees environmental health services mandated by local, state and federal regulations governing solid waste facilities and broader issues in King County. The responsibilities focus on overall program management and supervisory functions, meeting agency goals and objectives, making decisions on how to support program deliverables, and help resolve conflict. Environmental Health Services Division’s mission is to identify and sustain environmental conditions that promote healthy people and healthy communities using the lens of Equity and Social Justice (ESJ).
Contact: For more information contact Christina Sims, Human Resources Analyst at 206-263-7855 or Christina.Sims@kingcounty.gov.
Learn more about this position, or view all available jobs.
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Kudos! Positive community response received to WTD activities at construction site
Members of the neighborhood at the site of Wastewater Treatment Division’s (WTD’s) construction of the Sunset and Heathfield Pump Station Replacement and Force Main Upgrade project have sent emails to King County to express their appreciation for the amount of communication they’ve received from WTD, and for the safety concerns shown for the residents by the contractor’s workers.
I wanted to send a note of thanks to De’Sean Quinn and his team who are working on the Sunset and Heathfield pump stations project. We live across the street from the Heathfield Pump Station. We knew this was a huge project that was going to affect us. Every step of the way, the team has been incredible with its communication. I have appreciated all of the updates. Now that the project is underway, we are having minor nuisances – as to be expected. However, everyone working on the project has been incredibly helpful. I was walking my dog this week, and cut onto a lawn to avoid the cars. One of the flaggers made sure to let me know that they would stop traffic so I could walk safely. This project is going way better than I had expected. I just wanted to be sure that the team was recognized for their concerns in the neighborhood.
I live up the hill from Vasa Vista Park and the contractor workers have been great – friendly, efficient and most importantly, keeping everyone safe. I walk a lot and they make sure I get where I’m going quickly and safely.
Kudos to our WTD employees for the great work they are doing in keeping the community safe throughout this construction project!
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Update your address to receive important Open Enrollment information
Open Enrollment for your 2018 King County benefits takes place Nov. 1 – 15. It’s your opportunity to evaluate your benefit options and make choices for the upcoming year.
This year, you’ll have a new medical plan option: KingCare℠ Select. Details about the new third plan—and other important benefits and Open Enrollment information—will be sent to your home address, so please confirm that your mailing address is correct:
- Sign in to PeopleSoft. You can also access PeopleSoft from home by going to kingcounty.gov > Information for King County employees > PeopleSoft login.
- Go to My Personal Information
- Go to Home and Mailing Address
- Edit, if needed
If you need a new password, go to Forgot My Password. If you have any other login issues, call the IT Service Center at 206-263-4357.
For more information, refer to the PeopleSoft Sign-On Instructions or contact your Payroll or Human Resources representative.
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Bond rating boost, refinancing saves $41.2 million for King County sewer utility ratepayers
Strong credit ratings and favorable conditions in the financial market continue to benefit ratepayers served by King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division.
On Monday, King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division refinanced $175.6 million in Limited Term General Obligation (LTGO) Refunding Bonds. The refinancing will save ratepayers $41.2 million over the next 17 years.
King County’s wastewater utility partially funds its capital improvement program by selling sewer revenue and LTGO bonds. Solid credit ratings help the County secure a lower interest rate on the bonds it sells to fund its major capital improvement program. The money borrowed is paid back through current and future monthly sewer rates and charges.
Read more in the official press release.
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Tech Tip: Don’t shut down, restart!
KCIT makes security and other updates to your computer while you are sleeping, but we can’t do it if your computer is off.
So when you go home at night, hit “Restart” instead of “Shutdown”. That cleans up your computer AND allows KCIT to rollout the necessary upgrades and patches so your device is up-to-date the next day.
Employee News 