How to participate in the annual King County Holiday Food Drive
As the holidays approach, many of us are looking forward to good times and good food with our families and friends. However, there are people in our region who struggle to put food on the table, especially in the colder months. Please consider helping them out by contributing to the annual King County Holiday Food Drive.
Your generous donation of non-perishable, pre-packaged food will benefit Northwest Harvest, the main distribution point of goods for food banks all over our state. Through Northwest Harvest, we know that your donations will go to families in need at no cost to local food banks or their patrons.
Staff from the Facilities Management Division will be placing collection bins the week of November 7 in the downtown campus buildings (Administration, Chinook, Courthouse), Maleng Regional Justice Center, Youth Services Center, Public Health clinics, District Courts, and other outlying sites. The bins will stay in place until November 22. Last year, King County employees donated 6,723 pounds of food to Northwest Harvest, equivalent to more than 5,000 meals for a family of three. Let’s try to beat that this year!
If you have questions about the Holiday Food Drive, or need full bins emptied, please contact the FMD Work Order Desk at workorderdesk.fmd@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-9400. Thank you in advance for your support of this worthwhile project so that all of our friends and neighbors can enjoy this season of giving.
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A new tool to track landslide threats in King County
King County’s iMap software got a shoutout recently in Q13 Fox. The article mentioned how King County’s Department of Natural Resources reacted to the tragedy of the Oso mudslide by remapping the landslide threats throughout the county.
The iMap King County software allows users to view landslides data, relative to a specific address. Read more in the Q13 article, or view the video below.
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Peacemaking circle pilot shows new path for juvenile justice
Crossposted from King County Youth Justice
Rimon and his mother benefited from this new program.
King County Juvenile Court and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office tried its first felony case through a peacemaking circle, which incorporated victim advocates, mentors, family members and community leaders through months of what became a transformative mediation. A moderator who led a peacemaking circle movement in Boston is growing the practice here in King County.
Rimon and his mother both invested in the first King County Juvenile Court felony case to be resolved through a peacemaking circle, a process inspired by Native American traditions.
A week before Rimon’s 16th birthday, his mother was busy in the kitchen when she heard her son heading out the door. “We have a dental appointment today,” Nura Sayed reminded him. “We need to leave soon.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back,” Rimon told her. Fifteen minutes later, he returned, and the two drove to the dental office, located in the building where Rimon’s family used to live in Seattle’s New Holly Park.
This new youth justice pilot was also featured in Governing Magazine, which also highlights several quotes from prosecutor, Jimmy Hung. Read more here.
Read more at King County Youth Justice
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Department of Permitting and Environmental Review employees make care kits for the homeless
Employees at the Department of Permitting and Environmental Review (DPER) put together care packets for the homeless as a community service project. For the last month DPER employees donated various items such as warm hats, dental kits, personal hygiene items and food items so they could make care packets to distribute to the homeless. This week, many volunteers in the department formed a sort of assembly line in our lunchroom and put together about 50 care kits. There were even some care packets that included treats, toys and food for dogs who may be companions to the homeless. DPER permits homeless shelters for unincorporated King County and the staff thought the care packets would give a little hope for those in need.
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Yesler Bridge Rehabilitation Project: Upcoming Fourth Ave S Lane Closures
Construction crews will close the left lane of northbound 4th Ave S between S Washington and Jefferson streets starting Monday, November 7, through early spring 2017.
During this period, crews will also typically close the center lane of 4th Ave S between S Washington and Jefferson streets on week days between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Travel lanes on the east side of the street will remain open during this work. Pedestrian, bicycle, vehicle, and bus detours will be placed around the lane closures, please use caution near the work zone. Due to these changes, please expect the following:
- Closure of the left lane on 4th Ave S between S Washington and Jefferson streets closed until early spring 2017.
- Center lane closure on 4th Ave S between S Washington and Jefferson streets between 9 a.m and 3 p.m, Monday through Friday.
- Pedestrian, bicycle, vehicle, and bus detours around lane closures.
The Yesler Way Bridge Rehabilitation Project, which will improve safety and reliability while preserving the bridge’s historical elements, will continue through fall of 2017. If you have any questions or would like to discuss the project further, please contact YeslerBridge@seattle.gov or 206-684-8684. To learn more about the project, visit the project website.
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King County Veterans Day Celebration on November 10
King County Regional Veterans Court invites you to the RVC Celebration and Graduation Ceremony. Celebrate the hard work and successes of Regional Veterans Court participants and graduates.
The ceremony will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 1 p.m. at the King County Courthouse, Room E-326, at 516 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA.
Light refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP to RVC Manager Callista Welbaum at Callista.welbaum@kingcounty.gov. We look forward to celebrating with you!
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Reaffirming our values and principles during change and transition
King County Executive Dow Constantine
Dear Fellow King County Employee,
In the wake of the most divisive presidential election of any of our lifetimes, I know that many of us are feeling anxious and uncertain about the future of our nation and our world. I cannot allay those concerns, but I can share with you my hopes for King County and our region and state.
In this moment of change and transition, we must reaffirm our values and principles.
We will keep our commitment – that all people here will have the opportunity to fulfill their potential.
We will keep our commitment – to combat climate change and the degradation of the natural environment we cherish.
We will keep our commitment – to continuously improve everything we do, fully engaging and supporting our employees.
We cannot make ourselves immune from what happens nationally. But we can continue to build our region as a competitor on the world stage of the 21st century – a peer to the other innovative, forward-looking, prosperous metropolitan regions of the world.
We will continue to strive for equity for all our residents through education, health care and transit. We will continue to protect our farms and forests. And we will continue our mission to make sure every child gets off to a good start, succeeds in school, and has access to full and genuine opportunity.
And we can and will continue to set an example of what a creative, forward-looking government can be. We will continue to offer a welcoming hand to all who would help create prosperous, equitable communities, and to all those from around the world and the nation who seek refuge and the opportunity to build a secure future for themselves and their families.
The tenor of this campaign has been toxic. It was fragmented and marginalized people. But King County is a place that values women, that values racial minorities and the disabled, that values immigrants and refugees, and people of every religion, or of no religion. Wherever you began your life, you are welcome here in our county.
To be sure, there is opportunity, tremendous temptation, to further separate our Cascadia region’s fortunes from those of our nation. But we will make certain our Northwest values continue to shape this next chapter of our nation’s history. We will not retreat into the past, but instead embrace the future with confidence in our convictions and our values. We can and must be a shining example – an alternative for other communities to emulate – an oasis of optimism and creativity, and a protector of the basic American ideals of democracy, civil and human rights, liberty, opportunity, and equality.
Then, come what may, we will be a stronger global competitor, a leader in our nation, and a beacon to people around the world seeking pluralism and prosperity.
Your work is what will make that possible. I look forward to the future we will build.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
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Kudos! Heartfelt thank you from outgoing King County Veterans Fellow
Veteran Fellow Kaleena Welch
This email came from Kaleena Welch, a Veterans Fellow who is wrapping up her time with King County. She wanted to express her gratitude and how King County was able to successfully help her transition from military to civilian life.
Good Morning All,
I am emailing you to let you know that tomorrow Thursday November 10, 2016 will be my last day working for King County Stormwater Services Section.
I want to thank you all for making my time here memorable, valuable, and successful. My transition from the U.S. Army was not easy, but through the Vets 4 Hire program I was able to adjust back into society with ease.
I cannot express how important this program is, and how important it was to have a team around me that was supportive and in my corner the entire time.
A special thank you to Susan Navetski and Mary Rabourn especially, these two women will always have my eternal gratitude.
I would also like to thank my Supervisor Doug Navetski, my team members Jessica Engel, Blair Scott, Kyle Masters and Jeanne Dorn for working with me day to day and helping me strive.
I would also like to thank everyone involved in the Vets 4 Hire program, the STORM committee, Futurewise, the many divisions I worked with in King County, local cities and of course the entire WLRD family.
I have learned a lot about myself, and I have a new found confidence that I will be taking to my new job with the Army Corps of Engineers.
Once again thank you for taking this Veteran and helping her transition, there are many ways to help your veterans and this is one of them.
With love,
Kaleena Raquel Welch
King County Communications Specialist | King County Veterans Fellow
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Serving those who’ve served
King County is helping local military veterans make the transition from military to civilian life through its model Veterans Services program.
More than 127,000 veterans of the U.S. Military live in King County and, since the 1950s, the County has made it a priority to serve those who’ve served. Early on, the County’s programs provided services to indigent disabled and homeless veterans with funds provided by Revised Code of Washington 73.08.010, which authorized a dedicated property tax as a source of funding. Continuing in that tradition, the residents of King County passed the Veterans and Human Services Levy in 2005, and renewed it for six more years in 2011. With the levy, additional resources were made available to address the needs of low-income veterans, military personnel and their families – including families of men and women who are currently deployed.
According to Richard Garmong, King County Veterans Program Business Outreach Coordinator (and manager of the County’s annual King County Veterans Career Expo), the biggest challenge with servicing veterans is that “most don’t know either who to ask or where to go for help.” Adding to the challenge, many veterans are hesitant to ask for help.
The services the County provides are intended to better educate veterans, and cushion the changes veterans experience while transitioning to civilian life.
The County works with federal and state veterans programs to provide connectivity not only to employers, but also to community veterans programs – including services to address basic needs when necessary.
King County’s Veterans Program (KCVP) addresses those needs through a number of tailored programs, including Case Management, Outreach, Shelter and Housing, Financial Assistance, and Employment Services.
Case Management: With the Levy, the KCVP moved to a case management model. Rather than providing a veteran in need with assistance for housing and utilities, a model to support longer-lasting changes in a veteran’s life were implemented. Three primary focus areas were designed to help move these veterans toward a more self-sufficient life style; housing, stabilization, and employment and education. An electronic client records system was created to support the program, and it allows tracking of assessments and monitoring of client progress on identified goals. At intake and every six months, an assessment evaluates particular needs along a number of domains, including housing, employment, income, life skills, mental health and substance abuse.
Outreach: The Levy allowed the KCVP to expand its geographic service area with a second office in Renton, and a business coordinator has been providing outreach to employers to connect veterans with employment opportunities.
Shelter and Housing: The Program contracts with the Salvation Army’s William Booth Center to provide 40 shelter beds for male veterans who do not have stable housing arrangements. The Center provides a clean, safe and drug-free living environment that supports clients as they work their case plan goals and secure permanent housing. Priority placement is given to employed and work-ready veterans.
KCVP also contracts with the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program and the Compass Center. The latter includes four beds for female veterans, and the center’s services support case management, computer training and additional support through the VA Medical Center. The KCVP social worker coordinates services and housing for veterans in these programs.
Additionally, the KCVP assists eligible veterans in obtaining Section 8 housing vouchers, allowing a person to pay 30 percent of their income toward rent and utilities. The program partners with the King County Housing Authority to provide two vouchers each month.
Financial Assistance: The emphasis of the KCVP under the new Levy is to now provide holistic case management services. However, traditional short-term financial assistance continues to be used as a tool to help support eligible veterans. Some of the ways this assistance is used includes housing, utilities, food vouchers, work-related expenses, medical expenses and employment services.
Employment Services: With the success of the Levy-funded Activity 2.6C: Aerospace and Veterans Employment Training Initiative, Levy dollars continue to allow KCVP employment services out of the KCVP Office at WorkSource Renton. These best practices services include resume assistance, job counseling and placement, career testing and skills assessment. Counselors and clients complete an assessment and develop a plan; which may include removing initial barriers to employment. The service continues for up to one year after job placement, supporting employment retention and wage progression.
The County also created its Vets 4 HIRE Fellowship Program to support military servicemembers and veterans in making successful transitions from military to civilian employment, and to provide a pipeline of skilled veteran talent for positions within King County.
Additionally, the County has now held three annual career expos for veterans and military spouses. WorkSource, King County Veteran Services and the Washington State Convention Center collaborate each year to bring these job seekers and more than 120 area private- and public-sector employers together at the Convention Center.
The County’s Veterans Services web site provides program plans and reports, detailed eligibility information, contact information for both the Seattle and Renton offices, and information about applying for services. Help us spread the word!
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Featured Job: Wastewater Construction Management IV
Closing Date/Time: Wed. 11/09/16 11:59 PM Pacific Time
Salary: $41.57 – $52.69 Hourly, $86,465.60 – $109,595.20 Annually
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Location: Multiple locations in King County, Washington
Department: Department of Natural Resources & Parks – Wastewater Treatment Division
Description: This position will plan, organize and supervise the administration and inspection of specific construction projects, ensure compliance with plans, specifications, code and relevant regulatory laws, and direct the work of the inspectors. It will also provide inspection information to capital projects and conduct inspections of conveyance systems and other facilities, and provide technical assistance in the planning and design stages of wastewater construction projects.
Learn more about this position or view all available jobs.
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