Celebrating Disability Awareness Month in King County
Dear fellow King County employee, Each October, we celebrate Disability Awareness Month in King County and the many contributions that people with disabilities make to our community. Every person deserves the opportunity to fulfil their potential, share their unique abilities, and fully participate in everything that our region has to offer. Disability Awareness Month reminds us that we must continue to break down barriers to promote inclusion and expand opportunity for all people with disabilities. The global COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the urgency of this work. COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact… Read More
King County Metro proposed budget maintains region’s network, looks ahead to future growth
Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Executive Dow Constantine transmitted Metro’s proposed two-year budget to the King County Council on Sept. 22, starting the formal process for funding the operations of the region’s largest public transportation network. The budget outlines our ongoing commitment to providing reliable bus, water taxi, Access paratransit, and vanpool service – especially to serve riders where needs are greatest. It shows how Metro plans to continue to respond and adapt to the continued challenges of reduced revenue projections and lower ridership as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read… Read More
Residents and workers of King County awarded Executive Award for Community Resilience
The 10th annual King County Executive Award for Community Resilience was presented today to all the residents and workers of King County for their dedication to the community. As King County deals with the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and racial injustice, residents and workers have stepped up to show what true resilience really looks like. From first responders, to healthcare workers, to teachers and daycare workers, to all the King County government employees, individuals have made tremendous sacrifice to keep others safe. Past recipients have included the Somali Health Board, King County… Read More
Pet of the Week: Domino
Say hello to Domino, our Pet of the Week! This sweet boy was brought in by a good Samaritan earlier this month. He is an affectionate lovebug who would be thrilled to cuddle up with you at home! Domino is an “Easy Going Green” cat that loves to be petted non-stop. He also enjoys climbing up onto high things to guard the room, but the moment you walk in he will run to you and give you all of his love! Read more and view all available pets at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Have you or someone… Read More
Utility of the Future Today and awards for outstanding performance
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) has received national recognition as a Utility of the Future Today for its beneficial use of Loop® biosolids. WTD is one of 65 water utilities being recognized for transformational work in community engagement, watershed stewardship, and recovery of resources such as water, energy, and nutrients. The Utility of the Future Today concept is being promoted as water systems face challenges such as aging infrastructure, water pollution, workforce shortages, and impacts of climate change, including drought, floods, storms, and sea level rise. The Utility of the Future… Read More
Emergency Management awarded a grant to plan for catastrophic disasters
Crossposted from the DES Express Following a major earthquake, the supply chain that delivers life-sustaining products to our region will be impacted. King County Emergency Management received nearly $930,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program to establish a framework that lays out alternative modes of delivering these much needed products, specifically using our region’s waterways. Equity and social justice is a large component of the grant, and the framework will work to ensure that it includes distributing goods and services to the diverse and traditionally… Read More
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
Employee News 