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
Watch Executive’s 2021-2022 Budget Speech today at 1 p.m.
You can watch a live stream of King County Executive Dow Constantine’s 2021-2022 budget speech at 1 p.m. today, Tuesday, Sept. 22. To watch the Executive’s address please go to this livestream link at 1 p.m. today. If you’re unable to watch the budget speech live, we will send out a link to the video following the speech. Please note that watching the speech during work hours is optional and may require supervisor approval.
2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan – All employee briefing opportunities
King County employees are invited to come learn about the County’s proposed 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan (SCAP) at either of two free, Zoom “Lunch and Learns.” The 2020 SCAP is the County’s five-year blueprint for climate action, integrating climate change into all areas of County operations and work with King County cities, partners, communities, and residents. The plan outlines King County’s priorities and commitments for climate action for decision-makers, employees, partners, and the public. On August 27th, Executive Constantine transmitted his recommended plan to the County Council. All King County employees are invited to participate in either of two briefings to get… Read More
King County’s COVID-19 contact tracing efforts gain strength
Crossposted from Public Health Insider The case investigators at Public Health—Seattle & King County are able to reach the vast majority of people who test positive for COVID-19 in King County. And most people are taking the important step of isolating themselves during their contagious period. A new data dashboard shows the numbers, and it demonstrates the rapid growth of Public Health’s contact tracing efforts. Highlights include: Since the spring, the team has grown to 61 members who investigate over 500 cases each week (roughly 95 percent of all cases in King County). Each week,… Read More
Leading with racial justice in King County
Crossposted from Public Health Insider On June 11, 2020, King County Executive, Dow Constantine, and Public Health Director, Patty Hayes, declared racism is a public health crisis. They heard the call-to-action from the community and have resolved to hold all of King County to a higher standard. King County is committed to providing the resources needed to equitably address the damaging effects of racism and will do the necessary work, long-term, to create and affect tangible change. Read more.
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month 2020
National Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month is observed from Sept. 15 – Oct. 15 in the United States, Canada, and Latin America. This month is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the long, important presence and contributions of Hispanic and Latino and Latina (Latinx) Americans. A video to celebrate Latinx/Hispanic Heritage month was produced by Latino Northwest Communications in collaboration with Utopia Media and Entertainment and King County Metro, Sound Transit, and Seattle Department of Transportation and will be airing on Univision. View the video in English below and in Spanish here.
Pet of the Week: Addy
Meet 2 ½ year-old, Labrador Retriever Addy! She is a playful, loving puppy that truly can’t give or get too much affection. Her favorite inside activities include belly rubs and sleeping with a paw against you. Her favorite backyard activities include endless ball throwing, mastering the Kong toy and running. Addy is extremely smart and needs to be in a home that will provide stimulation and training. She will do well with an active family or an owner who is on the move and plans to incorporate her into activities. She is… Read More
A conversation on suicide awareness and prevention, September 22
As we continue to navigate the pandemic and these unprecedented times, paying special attention to your mental health and the mental health of those you love is crucial. In honor of Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, King County employees are invited to join Balanced You for a virtual conversation featuring speakers from the Black / African community, LGBTQ community, Native American community, and others on Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 1-2:30 p.m. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to preventing suicide and improving mental health. During this 90-minute panel discussion, attendees will learn strategies from… Read More
Schools preparing for a measured return to in-person learning
Crossposted from Public Health Insider King County’s K-12 schools are back in session. For most students, the 2020-2021 school year is starting remotely and Zoom is the new classroom. Even though the majority of the county’s school districts are teaching students remotely, they are also hard at work behind the scenes to be ready to provide in-person learning once COVID-19 transmission rates are lower. At Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC), we are supporting schools and communities across the county as they prepare for in-school learning. Two crucial ways we are… Read More
Employee News 