Chief People Officer featured in blog on transformation of primary care
King County’s Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams was featured in a Washington Health Alliance blog post about efforts to transform primary care in Washington State.
The article highlights a public/private partnership involving some of the state’s largest employers which aims to build a more effective primary care system for residents and providers. Read more.
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2023 Indigenous Peoples’ Day proclamation
King County Executive Dow Constantine, proclaimed Oct. 9, 2023, as Indigenous Peoples Day in King County and encourages all residents to learn about and embrace the historical truths and cultures of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Indigenous Peoples, and to respect their many contributions. Read the full proclamation below.
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Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day
On Monday, Oct. 9, King County will recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day to show respect for and celebrate the rich heritage, culture, contributions, and strength of local and regional American Indian, Alaska Native, and Indigenous communities.
King County is home to a thriving Native American population from Tribal nations across the country and our region benefits tremendously from the generations of Native American people on whose land we currently live. There are 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington State; we are on the unceded ancestral lands of the Muckleshoot, Snoqualmie, Puyallup, Tulalip, and Suquamish Tribes, and those Coast Salish individuals who are not enrolled in a federally recognized tribe.
It was important to me that King County recognized Indigenous Peoples’ Day as an official observed and paid holiday, something that we established in 2021 and celebrated for the first time in 2022. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is now officially recognized each year in King County on the second Monday in October.
We set aside this day to deepen our knowledge about our nation’s history and the institutionalized practices and policies that continue to harm Indigenous people today. We use this day to further our understanding of Indigenous heritage and culture and the many ongoing contributions of Indigenous people in our region.
We must also take time to reflect on our nation’s painful history and the truth that we live on – and unjustly benefit from – the colonized ancestral lands and traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We must sharpen our commitment to undoing institutionalized racist policies, practices, and systems – all of which continue to harm Indigenous people today – so Indigenous communities and all people can thrive.
This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we celebrate Indigenous people as they continue to stand strong and actively fight against racism and other forms of injustice. I want to thank and recognize our employee-led King County Native American Leadership Council for their continued work on behalf of Native American and Alaska Native employees at King County. I am thankful for the solid government-to-government working relationships we have developed with local Tribes, which are crucial in our work for the Indigenous community, Native American and Alaska Native County employees, and all residents.
Working together we can create a future in King County and our region where Native American people are visible, recognized, and thriving.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine (he/him/his)
King County Executive
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Test of KCInform employee alert and warning system on Oct. 19
King County will conduct a test of KCInform, King County’s employee alert and warning system, on Thursday, Oct. 19 between 9 and 10 a.m. as part of the annual Great Washington ShakeOut drill to test earthquake preparedness.
KCInform is used to notify County employees of emergency situations, infrastructure disruptions, facility closures, changes in department business operations, and other critical impacts. Your King County desk phone and @kingcounty.gov email address are already in the KCInform system. However, please register your County provided cell phone (if applicable) and personal cell phone and email address to ensure you don’t miss important, time-sensitive messages. The service is free and your personal contact information is secure and protected.
If you are not currently registered with KCInform, please contact kcinform@kingcounty.gov to request your unique registration link. Visit the KCInform website and watch this short video to learn more.
And remember, at 10:19 a.m. on Oct. 19, Drop, Cover, and Hold On as if there were a major earthquake occurring at that very moment, and stay in this position for at least 60 seconds as part of the Great Washington ShakeOut drill.
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Employee safety contacts: Save them in your phone
Employee safety is essential to providing a supportive work environment. Below are several contacts and resources to help every King County employee feel safe and secure.
What: 911.
When to call: When you have a Police, Fire; or Medical emergency; a situation that could, or does, pose a danger to life, property or both; suspicious activity involving a person(s) or vehicle that appears to have criminal intent; any situation that requires immediate dispatch of an officer; to report a serious crime, such as robbery, domestic violence, or sexual assault.
How: Call 911.
What: Facilities Management Division (FMD) Security.
When to call: To report non-emergency incidents and building security issues; to request an after-hours FMD security escort.
How: Call 206-296-5000, email FMD.Security@kingcounty.gov, or use the online reporting form at www.kingcounty.gov/IncidentReport. FMD Security Escorts can escort you for several blocks from the building you work in downtown to Goat Hill Garage or immediate vicinity bus stops. Advance notice for a Security Escort is appreciated. Call 911 in an emergency.
What: City Hall Park Neighborhood Outreach Team.
When to call: If you see someone in crisis within the City Hall Park service area and want to get them help. The team supports unsheltered people around City Hall Park with access to shelter and housing, as well as helping people in crisis. City Hall Park is adjacent to the King County Courthouse, on the southern side of the building.
How: Call 206-537-3770. Call 911 in an emergency.
What: Metro Transit Police (Non-Emergency Dispatch).
When: If you need an officer to respond or to report a non-emergency. Metro contracts with the King County Sheriff’s Office to provide police services to promote safety and security on and near the Metro Transit System for transit employees and riders.
How: Call 206-296-3311 for 24/7 assistance. Call 911 if you need immediate help from the police, medics, or fire department. For issues with maintenance and cleanliness, lost and found services or questions about service can call directly to Metro Customer Service at 206-553-3000 or online at Contact Us – King County Metro – King County.
What: Sound Transit Police (Non-Emergency Dispatch).
When to call: Available to respond to non-emergency security concerns and to create a safe environment for riders.
How: Call or text 206-398-5268 and email Security@soundtransit.org. Call 911 if you need immediate help from the police, medics or fire department. For issues with maintenance and cleanliness, lost and found services or questions about service can call directly to Sound Transit Customer Service at or at 888-889-6368 or online at Help and contacts | Sound Transit.
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TicketsatWork offers continued discounts for exciting family friendly activities
King County employees can take advantage of TicketsatWork, an exclusive membership discount site offering a variety of discounted opportunities. Employees will get instant access to exclusive deals, limited-time offers and members-only perks on the products, services and experiences you need and love. With something to excite every interest, it’s time to spend less and enjoy more this season.
This fall, employees can enjoy discounts on everything from spooky Halloween deals and other fall specials, to mental health assistance, flights, and travel. To get started:
- Visit www.ticketsatwork.com.
- Click “Become a Member”
- Enter the company code or work email to create an account. The company code is “KingCounty”
For assistance or more information about TicketsatWork, view this flyer or email CustomerService@ticketsatwork.com.
See all available discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
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Celebrate the harvest with your local producers: Visit King County pumpkin patches this October
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green
Autumn is making its presence known with chilly mornings and earlier sunsets. October is the perfect time to visit King County’s farms as they wind down for the year, especially festive pumpkin patches! There are pumpkin patches for every budget, type of family, variety of pumpkins, and activities.
Pumpkins take three to four months to grow, requiring a significant investment of labor and land from farmers who choose to produce this fall favorite. As such, pumpkin patch sales can often financially make or break a farmer’s season. Read more.
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QTBIPOC mental health and wellbeing
Crossposted from KC Balanced You
King County recognizes the importance of raising awareness and sharing resources available to meet the unique needs of Queer and Transgender Black Indigenous People of Color (QTBIPOC). QTBIPOC represents a combination of various identities that intersect and influence a person’s mental health experiences. Individuals who identify as QTBIPOC face unique challenges and disparities in mental health care due to the intersections of their identities as well as historic and current systemic injustice. There are also a multitude of diverse experiences and perspectives within the QTBIPOC community. Individual experiences vary within such a broad community that includes a wide range of intersecting identities. Balanced You recognizes that one’s background and identities can present unique experiences and specific barriers. Read more.
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Stay informed about county emergencies
King County offers an alert and warning system called KCInform that notifies King County staff about county emergencies. You can add your personal email, home phone number, and work email and phone number to stay informed. Providing your personal contact information is voluntary, but will help King County reach you at home, work, or on the go in an emergency. KCInform will only contact you during an emergency or to test the system.
To register, update, or verify your current information, email kcinform@kingcounty.gov. Click here for more information. King County will conduct a test of KCInform on Oct. 19 during the Great Shakeout.
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Consider ways you can support and honor Indigenous People and Native American causes
In recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, Oct. 9, King County’s ARWAG (Anti-Racist White Action Affinity Group) encourages you to consider ways you can support and honor Indigenous People and Native American causes.
Consider volunteering your time or donating all or part of a day’s pay in support of Native American causes. Take a look at nonprofit organizations participating in this year’s Annual Giving Drive for ideas. You can also use up to three days of sick leave to volunteer at an Employee Giving Program nonprofit or at a local school. Also, take a moment to Unlearn Columbus Day Myths.
To hold ourselves accountable, we will encourage members and guests to share what they did at the next ARWAG meeting on Oct. 24. If you have ideas to share, please join us! Contact ARWAG@kingcounty.gov to get involved.
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