Halloween tips from Public Health
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Holidays are going to be different this year, no question about it. But we all need to have some festivity, especially in the midst of the all we’ve had to deal with this year. Halloween has some good celebration options since many activities can be outside and mask wearing is part of the holiday, but there are still some risks with COVID circulating. Public Health has tips to prevent illness, help our community stay on track for reopening, and still retain some of the spooky and sweet flavor of Halloween. … Read More
Resources for caregivers during COVID-19
A caregiver is anyone who provides help to another person in need, such as an ill spouse or partner, a disabled child, or an aging relative. Employees who are caregivers for adults and elders are some of the unsung heroes of the pandemic. While caregiving can be joyful and rewarding, it can also be overwhelming or stressful for even the most resilient people. The pandemic, which has increased social isolation and decreased or changed availability of social services, has made the role of caregiving even more challenging. A recent study from the Centers… Read More
Update on the 2021-2022 Proposed Budget
Executive Dow Constantine transmitted his 2021-2022 Proposed Budget to the King County Council this week. Dwight Dively, Director of the Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget, recorded a short video about the budget for employees, including a brief overview of three important initiatives—anti-racism, Health Through Housing, and the COVID-19 response. Council expects to adopt the budget on Nov. 17 after extensive deliberations and public comment. For more information, view the video below.
Pet of the Week: Benji
Looking for a handsome, high-energy pal? Our Pet of the Week Benji may fit the bill! This young Australian cattle dog mix was brought in by his former owner because he was overwhelmed by the children in the home. Based on that history, the caretakers at the Pet Adoption Center feel that a home with adults or older, dog-savvy kids would be the best fit for this amazing boy. Read more and view all available pets at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Have you or someone you know adopted a pet from RASKC? Let us know. We’d love… Read More
A conversation on hope and hopelessness
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Adjusting to the changes COVID-19 has imposed has been very difficult for everyone. Some are navigating different layers of grief and loss. Many are feeling varying waves of hope and hopelessness. For those with mental health conditions, this time has been a continuation and possibly, an amplification of those thoughts and feelings. Mental health affects us all, and brings with it various challenges and concerns. If you or someone you know is in need of support, you are not alone. Support is available. We talked with Diana Cortez Yanez, a King… Read More
Virtual Resource Center offers easy online access to dozens of community service providers in King County
To provide King County residents with ready access to dozens of community service providers during the COVID-19 Pandemic, King County District Court is making available a Virtual Resource Center (VRC). Operated as part of the court’s community court program, the VRC is open to anyone in the community to visit via Zoom videoconference or by telephone. Services at the VRC include access to education, work training, substance abuse treatment, transportation discounts, Public Health/the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, and many more. Prior to COVID-19, King County District Court operated in-person community… Read More
Metro to resume fare collection Oct. 1
Crossposted from Metro Matters On Thursday, October 1, Metro will resume collecting fares for all transit services: buses, Access paratransit, Seattle Streetcar (First Hill and South Lake Union), Vanpool, Via to Transit and other flexible services, and water taxi (Vashon Island and West Seattle). Fare collection is already taking place on Sound Transit Express bus and Sound Transit light rail. Safety partitions are being installed in our coaches to protect both passengers and our operators In anticipation of growing ridership, Metro has implemented numerous health innovations so fares can be safely collected with minimal contact between operators and passengers. Metro is… Read More
Elections in the time of COVID-19
Crossposted from Election Connection Keeping our staff and voters safe and healthy is one of our top priorities for this upcoming election. Here are some questions we’ve encountered about how we’re handling the upcoming election in the midst of a pandemic. How do I vote in a COVID-19 world? The great news is that we already vote-by-mail in Washington State. If you are already registered to vote, your ballot will be mailed to you automatically about three weeks before Election Day. You can fill it out in the convenience of your home and… Read More
My 2021-2022 proposed biennial budget
Dear fellow King County employee, Today I transmitted my 2021-2022 proposed biennial budget to the Metropolitan King County Council. It is a budget driven by our values, our anti-racism agenda, and the needs of our community. It tackles homelessness, transforms the criminal legal system, invests in our communities and community engagement, preserves and protects more of our region’s land and water, and continues our fight against climate change. It strengthens our equity and inclusion efforts, and purposefully incorporates an emphasis on racial justice and anti-racism. Some of the highlights include: A proposal… Read More
Executive proclamation for 2020 Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month and events
King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed the month beginning Sept. 15 “Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month” in King County. View the full proclamation here. To commemorate the celebration, the King County Latinx Affinity Group (KCLx) hosted a kick off celebration by hosting an informal panel discussion with the KCLx leadership committee. “During these difficult times, this is an opportunity for us to proudly share and celebrate our diverse Latinx culture with our colleagues, as well as come together with our King County familia for mutual support,” shared Melissa Arias, KCLx Membership Chair and Program Manager for the Department of Community and Human Services. KCLx is collaborating with Sound Transit Latinx… Read More
Employee News 