Changing management of animal services sees giant leap in adoptions
Gracy is one of a several dogs available at RASKC.
On Wednesday Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) celebrated an impressive feat: reducing the County’s shelter euthanasia rate for dogs and cats to 12 percent, down from 40 in 2008.
King County Executive Dow Constantine met with animal welfare advocates at a Petco in Kirkland to commend the dramatic turnaround. The store has partnered with RASKC to showcase animals that are available for adoption, and has helped increase outreach and awareness to the overall community.
“The people of King County want to know that every cat and dog has a safe, loving home; that every animal is cared for,” said Executive Constantine in a media release. “I am proud that King County has created a model of compassionate, humane animal services that is setting the standard for the nation.”
The event was covered in various King County news outlets, including The Seattle Times and the Kent Reporter.
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Retirement means no coffee breaks for this outgoing employee
When most people retire they plan a big trip or some time to relax, but not outgoing Educator Consultant Chuck Davis. With his 27 years of change management and organizational development work under his belt, he is looking forward to channeling his passion into a private consulting practice.
“I’ve learned and grown and matured while with the County, and I brought a certain skill set to my position, so this opportunity will be a nice marriage of the two,” he said. “I worked with employees to be more effective as a team, and I’m going to continue doing the same outside of the County because that’s my passion. I love doing it.”
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New thinking finds forever homes for more animals
Helping animals find forever homes has always been the goal for Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) but employees knew that they needed a shift in thinking if they were to save more animals.
“I know it sounds corny but really there’s nobody there for these animals,” Lori Mason, Foster Care Coordinator and Licensed Veterinary Technician, said. “They were abandoned here for whatever reason and so all they have is us and the foster parents to find them a new life.”
RASKC was formed in 2010 as a partnership between King County and more than two dozen cities to improve animal welfare in our region, replacing King County Animal Control. At the time King County Executive Dow Constantine declared that not only would King County maintain animal services, it would take steps to build one of the nation’s best agencies of its kind.
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Featured Job: Executive Assistant – CAO
Closing Date/Time: Fri. 03/04/16 4:30 PM
Salary: $69,846.40 – $88,524.80 Annually
Job Type: Appointed
Location: Chinook Building – 401 5th Ave, Seattle, Washington
Department: Department of Executive Services
Description: The Department of Executive Services – Director’s Office is searching for a seasoned professional to provide executive-level support to the County Administrative Officer and Deputy Director. This role involves daily interaction with the organization at all levels as well as external contacts. Successful candidates for this role will be self-starters who have excellent interpersonal skills, a keen attention to detail, an ability to work in a fast-paced environment, and solid background in providing executive-level support.
Learn more about this position or view all available jobs.
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Walk in the Shoes of a King County Employee – Family Law Facilitator Program
My job as King County Executive requires advocating for and balancing the needs of residents, employees, and the region as a whole. My years as an attorney working on behalf of clients taught me that fighting it out until there is a winner and a loser is usually less productive than figuring out what would work best for everyone involved. So I was excited for my first Walk in the Shoes this year – with legal staff in King County Superior Court’s Family Law Facilitator Program.
The Early Resolution Case Managers (ERCMs) are attorneys who provide information and referrals (but not direct legal advice) to people with family law issues who are not represented by attorneys.
King County’s ERCM program, founded in 2011, is the only one of its kind in Washington State. There are no income requirements to participate, and a sliding fee scale is used.
Family Law Information Center Manager Jamie Perry gave me an overview of the office’s work, and ERCMs Kevin Rowles and Christina Luera discussed the office’s varied services, including its Family Law Orientation. The one-hour class for unrepresented parties explains in plain language how a case usually works, from start to finish.
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First Poetry-Based Symposium on Race and Racism Elicits Thoughtful Questions and Answers
by Donna Miscolta, Department of Natural Resources and Parks.
“I didn’t expect to feel so much.”
This testament to the power of the spoken word was one of several offered by the audience at the first of four symposiums on “Reflecting on Race and Racism through Spoken Word, Story, and Conversation” on January 12. This project, innovative in its approach to an understanding of racism, is made possible by the King County ESJ Opportunity Fund.
Two poets, Quenton Baker and Casandra Lopez, presented their work to a group of 50 employees. It was a new experience for both poets and audience. Baker, upon stepping to the podium to read his poems, elicited laughter from the audience when he remarked that this was the first time he’d come to a government building to read poetry to government employees.
Quenton Baker (left) and Casandra Lopez (right).
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Employee training spurs life changing decision
King County is inspiring. Its beauty, its people and its mission inspire King County employees to make a difference in their communities. It has even inspired outgoing employee Autumn Salamack to make a difference far away in Mascota, Mexico, about 2 hours east of Puerto Vallarta. She has taken her work with equity and social justice to heart and will soon leave King County for an adventure in the Peace Corps.
Since August 2013 Autumn has served as the Sustainability Program Coordinator for King County Metro Transit. Her role soon grew to include leading the Metro’s Equity and Social Justice (ESJ) Coordination team, including training to become an ESJ trainer. It’s here that her new passion began to bloom.
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A great place to look for love
Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) has recently partnered with Petco in Kirkland to bring pet adoption services to the region through the new Eastside Adoption Center facility.
“We were approached by Petco to think more broadly about how we can reach the animal-loving public in King County, and an opportunity to bring dogs and cats to our pet-loving public,” said RASKC Director Gene Mueller.
Located inside the Petco store, the 1,100 square foot location services many cities in the north King County region. Each animal available for adoption is originally from the shelter in Kent, and receives a behavioral assessment, current vaccinations and is spayed or neutered. Those who decide to adopt an animal are also provided with a full medical history.
“Regional Animal Services of King County services has such a large area that a lot of these northern cities don’t necessarily know a whole lot about us, so having a presence here is really great to have,” said Animal Placement Specialist Nickie Ford. “We get a lot of adoptions from people living in these cities.”
Watch the King County TV video below for more information about this innovative pet adoption partnership.
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Invite to the OLEO Candidates “Meet and Greet”
King County has been recruiting for a new Director of the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight and has set aside dates for King County residents to meet and provide feedback on the final candidates.
Join us to “Meet the Candidates” on either:
- Tuesday, February 16 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the TAF Center/Bethaday Community Learning Space, 605 SW 108th Street, Seattle (White Center); or
- Wednesday, February 17 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the Lake Wilderness Lodge 22500 SE 248th St, Maple Valley
We are planning the two different events to give residents in different parts of the county an opportunity to meet the candidates.
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Eat healthy & support local farmers through Farm Fresh Local
Healthy IncentivesSM began on Tuesday, Feb. 2. and the program has a number of ways to help you eat healthy, including a new focus area, Farm Fresh Local. Through the Farm Fresh Local Text for Well-Being Individual Action Plan, you’ll receive tips and inspiration for eating local and making a difference—directly to your phone. During this Text for Well-Being program, you’ll learn fun facts about local food in King County, find out what’s in season, and get motivated to eat farm fresh food.
Look for Community Supported Agriculture this spring
As part of Farm Fresh Local, we’re bringing Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) to the workplace. Look for CSAs at King County facilities—coming this spring!
King County is proud to offer programs to help you achieve your health goals and be your best every day. For more information, visit Healthy Incentives.
Questions?
Contact Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations: 206-684-1556 or KC.Benefits.
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