National conference selects King County as site of annual conference, spotlights Zero Youth Detention
Crossposted from Zero Youth Detention Each year, the Annie E. Casey Foundation hosts a national conference for the over 300 jurisdictions in 40 states that have signed on to implement its Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI). This year, the conference was hosted in King County, from October 16-18, in part to showcase the work of King County’s Zero Youth Detention and essential community partnerships. “I started volunteering. I found community, and they saw gifts in me I didn’t know I had,” said Durell Green, describing to conference attendees the transition that took him from time in… Read More
Pet of the Week: Sadie
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Need a warm snuggle buddy for the coming chilly winter nights? Check out Sadie, our Pet of the Week! This genteel older lady loves to stop and smell the roses! Sadie has a lot of pep in her step and loves going for long walks… sniffing here, there, and everywhere! Afterwards, Sadie just wants to hang out and cuddle, and she thoroughly enjoys neck scratches. Read more at Tails from RASKC
Reasonable Accommodations in King County Superior Court
This story is part of our series celebrating Disability Awareness Month. Access to justice for all persons is a fundamental right; however, for individuals with a sensory, mental or physical disability, this access can be filled with challenges. Implemented in 2007, Washington State General Court Rule 33 (GR 33) was designed to assure that persons with disabilities have equal and meaningful access to the judicial system. GR 33 requires courts to provide prompt response to requests for accommodation in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Washington State Law Against Discrimination… Read More
Improved services for customers with disabilities
Crosssposted from Metro Matters Metro’s new Access Paratransit operator, MV Transportation, brings a renewed customer service focus to the service, with offerings on the horizon including app-based scheduling, expanded multilingual support, higher on-time performance, and tighter pick-up and drop-off windows. But first, when Metro’s new contract with MV begins October 26, operations will focus on creating a seamless transition for customers and helping them know the resources available to them, should they need extra assistance. Access, Metro’s American Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit program, is for people whose disabilities prevent them from using Metro’s… Read More
Pet of the Week: Dusty
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Say hello to this handsome gentleman – Dusty is our Pet of the Week! This senior boy is very sweet and loving, and loves pets from head to tail. His favorites are head rubs and scratches behind his ears. Dusty also likes the double-cheek smoosh – where you gently rub both his cheeks at the same time. He may even do the roly poly as you pet him! And unlike some cats, Dusty enjoys a good gentle belly rub. Read more from Tails from RASKC
King County Drug Court celebrates 25 years, Oct. 30
Empowering lives and strengthening communities since 1994, the King County Drug Court is holding a celebration for its 25th year anniversary. The public and employees are welcome to attend. There will be inspiration, music, food, and the celebration of graduates, current participants, service providers, and community partners. Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 3 – 5 p.m. at the King County Courthouse, Room E-942, 516 Third Ave Seattle, WA 98104. For more information contact Mary Taylor at Mary.Taylor@kingcounty.gov.
New funding opportunity from the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy
The King County Department of Community and Human Services is now accepting applications for a facilitator for the recently awarded Countywide Commercial Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Collaborative. The facilitator will support the four awarded agencies in building a shared mission and vision and to develop a service model and work plan to steward the goals identified by the Collaborative. Applications are due Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019 by 5 p.m. There is up to $65,000 in VSHSL Technical Assistance and Capacity Building (TACB) funds available. The investment period is Dec. 2019 – Dec. 31, 2020, subject… Read More
Recycling program builds relationships between King County and Spanish-speaking communities
Advancing our “We are responsible stewards” value The Recicla más, or Recycle more program, provides information about recycling in Spanish to communities throughout King County. Started in 2011, Recicla más has relied on developing a partnership with facilitadores, or community educators, in the Latinx community to help improve and increase recycling. The Solid Waste Division (SWD), in the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, is further expanding this work with several multicultural/multilingual communities in King County to educate residents and businesses about recycling , composting, and waste prevention best practices. These partnerships ensure that the program… Read More
Meaningful program creates workplace efficiencies and opportunities for employees
King County’s Supported Employment Program matches job seekers with developmental disabilities to available jobs by identifying efficiencies and unmet needs throughout King County departments. The program allows each department to review its standard work practices utilizing Lean principles. A job coach is also available to help supported employees thrive in the workplace. Christina Davidson, Supported Employment Program Manager shares how meaningful this can be in several ways. “When creating opportunities to be more inclusive with our hiring we are also creating efficiencies and cost savings in departments,” she said. “It’s pretty cool to get… Read More
DPD’s new special counsel has long worked at the forefront of social change
By Leslie Brown, Department of Public Defense As a young woman just out of college and well aware of institutionalized racism and its generational impact on black and brown people in America, La Rond Baker decided to use her degree to teach GED and Adult Basic Education classes at the King County Correctional Facility. Even so, she was struck by what she saw in the jail – by the stark racial disparities between the jail population and the general population of Seattle. Two years later, La Rond went to work for Powerful Voices, a Seattle-based nonprofit focused… Read More
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