You belong here: Welcome Inclusion Symposium supports 2018 Special Olympics
Shared from the DCHS Touching Base Newsletter
The Special Olympics USA Games are coming to Seattle/King County in 2018! Thousands of athletes and their families will travel to the Pacific Northwest to compete in the games.
Businesses and governments across King County are actively preparing for those visitors. More than 300 people attended the Welcome Inclusion (WIN) Symposium hosted by Microsoft at their Redmond Campus on June 27, 2017. Sponsored by the Arc of King County, WIN is a public awareness campaign to promote a community of inclusion for children and adults with intellectual, behavioral and social differences. It is a grassroots movement to dispel misunderstanding and promote the benefits of including people of all abilities in daily relationships, workforces and civic activities. Businesses can receive special designation and decals as WIN-friendly locations.
The symposium is one of several events taking place in 2017 in advance of the 2018 games. King Executive Dow Constantine, as the keynote speaker, talked about King County’s Equity and Social Justice Initiative and the County’s core value of ensuring that our region provides opportunities for people of all ages and all abilities to achieve their full potential and be involved in and contribute to their community.
The campaign will continue now through next spring. The opening ceremony for the Special Olympics USA Games will take place at Husky Stadium on July 1, 2018.
To learn more about what DCHS is doing in our community, read the most recent issue of the Touching Base Newsletter (on SharePoint).
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The 2017 King County Trans Resource and Referral Guide is now available
The Department of Community and Human Services is excited to announce that the 2017 version of the King County Trans Resource and Referral Guide is now available! Thanks to Mental Illness and Drug Dependency (MIDD) funding provided last year, the Coalition Ending Gender-Based Violence, in partnership with several community organizations and with support from King County, was able to produce this updated guide. The online version is available here and is live – available in both Spanish and English versions now. The web hosting has been donated by a community member and will be updated ongoing.
In 2014, the Coalition was able to produce the very first King County Trans Resource and Referral Guide (2014 Community Draft Project) via the LGBTQ Access Project, which was funded under a Department of Justice Grant to the Coalition and the NW Network to promote access for LGBTQ folks to many social services throughout King County, including behavioral health. King County DCHS ESJ supported this work and provided resources to print the guide, as well as the Public Health Department. The Guide, only the fourth or so in the county of its kind, was distributed widely throughout King County to both trans folks and providers of social services. There has been demand for an updated version ever since.
This is another ESJ milestone for DCHS and King County that will benefit our trans community members in King County – and educate and support our Contractors to provide excellent trans competency services! Thanks to the MIDD Oversight committee and the MIDD staff for assistance in funding this important work!
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KCIT named top large county IT organization in the U.S.
King County Information Technology (KCIT) took first place in the 15th annual National Association of Counties (NACo) Digital Counties Survey. King County was recognized for its vision, strategy, innovation, and collaboration.
“This is an important award,” said Bill Kehoe, Chief Information Officer and IT Director. “It validates the real, day-to-day work that our employees do. They are the reason King County is known as one of the Best Run Governments in the country.”
The Digital Counties Survey comes from the Center for Digital Government and the National Association of Counties. The national award recognizes best practices and innovation for IT plans and programs.
KCIT is a business solutions partner that collaborates with the 18 King County departments to develop products and services that benefit King County residents and King County employees. Among the notable services and products called out in the award:
- Increased mobile applications for King County residents
- Improved mobility through increased wireless capacity, speed, and access
- A cloud strategy that saves money and reduces the carbon footprint
- A focus on the Internet of Things (IoT) and all aspects of data, including analytics for faster and better strategic and operational business decisions.
“Judges were impressed with our regional collaborative approach to problem solving. They specifically called out our modernization strategy which includes standardizing on platforms and our cloud strategy,” said Kehoe. “Of course, cybersecurity is foundational to everything we do from elections to managing privacy in the justice system.”
Kehoe added, “In the last few years, the organization and the county have gone mainly from operational and transactional to more of a strategic and innovative approach. I think we are always looking to improve and really understand where our customers’ pain points are and new ways to engage with them as well.”
“Digital counties are leveraging technology to improve the ways they conduct business and engage with citizens in increasingly innovative and exciting ways,” said Todd Sander, executive director of the Center for Digital Government. “The Center for Digital Government congratulates this year’s winners for their work to reduce costs, encourage citizen engagement, increase efficiencies and proactively address citizen expectations.”
In November 2016, Governing Magazine named Dow Constantine Public Executive of the Year. “Executive Constantine has high expectations for himself and for us. I’m pleased we are able to deliver,” said Kehoe.
KCIT is a consolidated executive branch IT organization that provides IT consulting and services to the 18 executive and separately elected departments.
The Center for Digital Government is a national research and advisory institute focused on technology policy and best practices in state and local government. CDG is a division of e.Republic, the nation’s only media and research company focused exclusively on state and local government and education.
The National Association of Counties (NACo) unites America’s 3,069 county governments. Founded in 1935, NACo brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on national policy, exchange ideas and build new leadership skills, pursue transformational county solutions, enrich the public’s understanding of county government and exercise exemplary leadership in public service.
The Digital Counties Survey awards will be given out July 22 in Columbus, Ohio.
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Reuniting families through Reunification Day 2017
King County celebrated the efforts of parents to reunite with their children that were once placed in foster care at the eight-annual Reunification Day on June 30, 2017.
Judge Helen Halpert, Superior Court Chief Dependency Judge, kicked off the celebration which was attended by several Superior Court Judges and Commissioners, and featured Presiding Judge Laura Inveen, a Reunification Day Proclamation by King County Executive Dow Constantine and parents sharing the stories of their journeys to reunification.
“I listened to those wonderful words from [parents] Scott and from Natalie, and I think they couldn’t have imagined three years ago that they would get in front of a room, serve as this kind of inspiration, be comfortable with public speaking and be the wonderful parents and wonderful community leaders they have become today,” Judge Halpert said. “I am so proud of them and of all of you.”
Watch the video to see the full celebration.
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Featured Job: Transit Electrical Designer IV
Closing date/time: 07/30/17 11:59 PM
Salary: $27.69 – $37.43 Hourly
Location: King Street Center – 201 S Jackson St, Seattle
Job type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Division: Department of Transportation – Transit Division
Description: Come help build the future of Transit in King County! Over the next few years King County Metro Transit will be expanding our fleet to provide greater transit service which will include a fleet of all electric buses. We are recruiting for a Transit Electrical Designer IV to help build the infrastructure that supports that new fleet. That infrastructure will include:
- the design and installation of charging stations to support that electric fleet,
- the design and expansion of our existing transit maintenance and operations facilities,
- the design and construction of at least one new maintenance and operations facility,
- the design and installation of passenger facilities and so much more.
All of these require electric power to operate and maintain, we need a dedicated individual to help design these systems so that we can continue to move people safely and electrically throughout the greater Seattle/King County area.
Contact: For more information contact Mara Cardenas, Talent Acquisition Manager, 206-477-2358, mara.cardenas@kingcounty.gov.
Learn more about this position, or view all available jobs.
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Kudos to officers during Probation and Parole Week, July 16-22, 2017
The following is a kudos from Catherine Thompson, a Probation Manager with King County District Court:
We would like to recognize King County District Court Probation Officer’s (P.O.’s) during National Pretrial, Probation and Parole Supervision Week, focusing on Empowerment through Partnerships. An important part of supervision is understanding how we can work together to give clients the best chance of successfully reentering the community. We are continuously mindful of how to best utilize current and potential partnerships to the benefit of our clients.
Probation services are provided to any defendant who is sentenced to probation by a judge, including primarily high impact and repeat offenders, those convicted of violent offenses, and those in need of drug, alcohol and/or mental health treatment. Probation supervision enhances community and individual safety and offers life-changing intervention by helping individuals to make better decisions.
In addition to the P.O.’s , an important part of our probation team are the Probation Clerks. There is a court clerk assigned to each courthouse location housing a KCDC Probation Services office. Probation Clerks are often the first face that our clients see when entering our office. They are an excellent resource to the defendants and Probation Officers alike.
It is a privilege and honor to work alongside King County District Court’s team of skilled and dedicated Probation Officers, Probation Mental Health Specialists and Probation Clerks. Their work is challenging but rewarding, difficult but necessary. These individuals are committed to improving public safety and reducing the likelihood that an individual will re-enter the criminal justice system, one client at a time.
Join us in recognizing our Probation Teams. Below are our District Court officers, specialists and clerks.
- Auburn Courthouse: Probation Officers-Jay Gorham, Elizabeth Owens, Probation Clerk– Michelle Ewing
- Kent RJC: Probation Officers– Nadine Wallace, Rachel Brooks-Bailey, Lema Hackett, Probation Mental Health Specialist– David Alber, Probation Clerk– Suzette Van Aken
- Seattle Courthouse: Probation Officers– JD Pettitz, Chris Allen, Probation Mental Health Specialists– Steve Wede, Susan Butler, Heather McIntyre, Katherine Pfundheller, Probation Clerk- Naomi Pennington
- Shoreline Courthouse: Probation Officers– David Sterner, Nicholas D’Angelo, Probation Clerk: Andrea Shao
- Issaquah Courthouse: Probation Officers– Annette Pooley, Kari Goode, Lead Probation Officer– Samantha Corder, Probation Clerk– Margo Cusin
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Free entry: King County Employee Day at the Races
King County employees and one guest will get free admission to Emerald Downs Racetrack on Sunday, August 13, which features the 82nd running of the Longacres Mile, activities for children and displays showcasing the array of agricultural goods produced in King County.
Employees must show their King County ID at any of the 12 gates which will provide an employee and one guest tickets that include free admission, Official program, and chips and soda. Children 17 and under get in free.
This year’s Longacres Mile (Grade III) is the 82nd running, with a purse of $200,000. Horses from all over the country ship in to try to win this very prestigious race. In addition to the Mile, there will be the Pete Petersen Overnight Stakes for $25,000; the King County Overnight Stakes for $25,000 and the Emerald Distaff for $65,000. There will be free pony rides, bounce house and more in the park for kids.
Emerald Downs will also celebrate King County’s agricultural sector with displays and demonstrations.
Schedule:
- 9:30 a.m. Gates typically open for simulcast races
- 12:30 p.m. Newcomers Center/Customer Service and Concession Stands open
- 1 p.m. First Race
- 7 p.m. Approximate conclusion of racing.
Parking: Free general parking with shuttle service to the building | Valet $20 | Preferred Parking $10
Seating: There are lots of seats, umbrella tables and benches available on a first come, first serve basis
- Paid seating options (reservations may be made two weeks in advance, starting at 9 a.m. on July 30). Please call customer service at (253) 288-7711
- Grandstand seats $10
- 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)
Directions: Physical address is 2300 Ron Crockett Drive, Auburn 98001. Click here for directions.
Sound Transit: Plan your transit commute.
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Bridge Fellowship kicks off third year program with expanded group, more development opportunities
Twenty four employees from across King County have been selected to participate in the 2017-2018 Bridge Fellowship Program as part of the County’s Investing In You commitment to provide leadership and development opportunities to employees.
The Fellowship, open to all full-time and TLT employees, was reestablished in 2013-2014 by King County Executive Dow Constantine. The program was expanded in 2017. Bridge participants underwent a rigorous application and interview process before joining this year’s cohort.
Over the course of the program, participants engage in classroom learning, group projects, presentations and career development activities, as well as interviews and site visits to explore the County’s agencies and their priorities. By participating in the Bridge Fellowship program, employees will enhance their leadership skills, learn more about County systems and operations, and advance their professional development and King County careers.
The program is supported by the Human Resources Department and is led by Debra Baker. Together they have created a rich course that encourages participants to explore new possibilities, for themselves and for the organization.
The Bridge Fellowship Program is currently in progress but will take place again next year. Information about the program is available at www.kingcounty.gov/Bridge.
This year’s Bridge Fellowship participants are.
- Sonia-Lynn Abenojar, DNRP, Capital Project Manager
- Cynthia Adams, DNRP, Assistant Accountant
- Christine Alba, DES, Fiscal Specialist
- Preston Beck, DNRP, Project Control Engineer
- Bridget Benson, King County Council, Legal Secretary
- Jennifer Bonaventura, DES, Customer Service Specialist
- Titus Chembukha, DCHS, Program/Project Manager II
- Stasha Dennard, PH, State and Federal Affairs Liaison
- Kimberly Fleming, DES, Program Manager
- Lisa Ingraham (Schelander), DCHS, Social Worker
- Cathy Jimenez, DOT, Senior Administrator
- Kirk Jones, DOT, Electrical Worker
- Penny Lara, DOT, Transportation Planner
- Beth Ledoux, DNRP, Program Manager
- Ashley Mareld, DAJD, Community Surveillance Officer
- Delroy Mukungatu, DES, Fiscal Specialist
- Joyce McCraney, PH, Community Health Worker
- Nhi Nghe, PH, Administration Specialist
- Jeremy Rivera, DES, Administrative Coordinator
- Stephanie Sellers, DPD, Program Supervisor
- Jeffrey Steuby, DOT, Custodian
- Carrie Valderas, Elections, Elections Specialist
- Miesha Vaughn, DES, Tort Claims Office
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Employee uses communications background to connect with community
By Jimmy’a (jih-MY-uh) Carter, a summer intern for the Executive’s Office Customer Service team. Jimmy’a, a 16 year old who will be a junior this fall at West Auburn High School, plans to attend a four-year college and get a degree in youth counseling. She joins us from the Bridge to Prosperity mentoring program.
For more than 15 years, Marie Trigona has spent her career using media as a tool for advocacy and engagement. For the last two years, she has done this work as part of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP). As part of my Lift Every Youth internship through King County’s Equity and Social Justice Program, I met with Marie to learn about her job.
Pictured: From left, Marie Trigona and author Jimmy’a Carter.
Before she came to King County, she did communications and media work as an independent journalist reporting out of Latin America on radio.
Marie loves serving and protecting the community, so she wanted to work for King County because of the great work it does protecting the environment in our area. She says it’s one of the most dynamic county governments and regions in the United States and she gets to work on the county’s priority of combating climate change and striving to improve equity and social justice in the region.
She also gets to work with other people who are passionate about the environment and committed to serving and protecting the community. Marie says her role in the county is to use online tools to empower teams, improve online reach for county programs and public engagement, and help tell the county’s and customers’ stories through digital media.
So far, Marie has helped DNRP to grow its social media program from 10 pages and 5,000 fans to 30 pages and 35,000 followers. She also came up with the idea of expanding the county’s Movies at Marymoor Park to residents who speak Spanish and connecting them to other county programs and services.
For the past two years, Cine in el Parque Spanish movie night in White Center has drawn lots of Latino families to the county’s popular Steve Cox Memorial Park in southwest Seattle to connect with fellow residents and enjoy food trucks, information tables, entertainers, family-friendly games, and a 40 foot movie screen. The event is co-sponsored by White Center’s community development association.
One of the things that impressed me about Marie’s work was how she created the “Movies in the Park” and built it into a big community event that has huge community participation.
I didn’t know that King County did this work, but I was glad to meet Marie and learn that she continues to work on expanding social media access for all members for the community, regardless of what language they speak.
Employee News 