King County Council recognizes 2019 Disability Awareness Month
On Oct. 16, 2019, the Metropolitan King County Council proclaimed October as Disability Awareness Month in King County, celebrating the many contributions that people with disabilities make to our community and workforce. The proclamation is a reminder of our continued efforts to break down barriers so that people of all abilities can share their unique abilities, perspectives and talents. Signed into law in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ensures that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in… Read More
Research results show students across U.S. put high value on FLASH curriculum
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Students in different parts of the country overwhelmingly find the FLASH sexual health curriculum, produced by the Family Planning program at Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC), valuable and worth recommending to their peers. As part of a multi-year study being conducted in the South and Midwest, more than 90 percent of students surveyed say they will use the skills they learned in class in their real lives, and more than 90 percent would recommend FLASH to a friend. Read more from Public Health Insider
Pet of the Week: Leo
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Looking for a spunky, spirited boy? Look no further than Leo, our Pet of the Week! This border collie/Boston terrier mix is waiting for his forever home. He was brought in by his previous family because he had a tendency to run off property. (A well-fenced yard at his new home would be good.) Read more from Tails from RASKC
Fair and Just Prosecution Fellow Joseph Ludmir shares his summer experience at the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
This summer, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office welcomed Joseph Ludmir, a rising second year law student from Los Angeles, as a resident Fellow with the national Fair and Just Prosecution Program. The program places outstanding law students in the “most inspiring elected prosecutors’ offices around the country,” an honor Seattle shares with Philadelphia, Brooklyn and Boston. Summer fellows are defined by their interest criminal justice reform and their ability to bridge the gap between the classroom theories and on-the-ground work. Working primarily with Deputy Chief of Staff Carla Lee and Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney… Read More
Revamped dock at Pier 50 offers new accessibility features
It took two years for a full rebuild, but as of August 2019, the new passenger-only ferry dock at Pier 50 has reopened, to include Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements for those with mobility issues. Travelers taking regional ferry service to West Seattle, Vashon, Bremerton and Kingston can now wait under a fully-covered dock with inside seating. A tactile path and tactile signs also guide the way forward to the boat and a new ADA assistance station. The new dock even includes an elevator that will connect to a new pedestrian bridge… Read More
Pet of the Week: Priscilla
Priscilla is a 7 year-old, female, shorthair, gray tabby cat (A591804). Her personality color is GREEN, meaning she is an adaptable cat who loves to go with the flow. This sweet girl can be a little shy in new situations, but it doesn’t take her long to get comfortable and show you what a sweetie pie she is! Read more at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet.
2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan – All staff workshop, Oct. 31
Advancing our “We are responsible stewards” value We are updating King County’s Strategic Climate Action Plan – the five-year blueprint for climate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for climate change, and work with partners and communities on climate. All King County employees are invited to participate in a staff workshop to provide their feedback and ideas. What are the most important and impactful climate actions we can take? Where can the County lead? What can we accomplish in partnership with you? The workshops will take place Thursday, Oct. 31 from… Read More
Oct. 17 – Test of KCInform employee alert and warning system
On Oct. 17 at 10:17 a.m., millions of people worldwide will practice how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On during an earthquake as part of the annual ShakeOut drill. That same day, Thursday, Oct. 17, just prior to the drill, we will test KCInform, our employee alert and warning system. A text, voice, and email alert will be sent to all registered county phones and emails, and employee personal phones and emails, with a message that looks like this: “This is a test of KCInform, King County’s employee emergency notification system. This is only a test. Remember to Drop, Cover and Hold… Read More
Transition Fairs provide connection and opportunity for youth with developmental disabilities
The King County School-to-Work Program provides students with developmental disabilities the resources to plan a bright future after high school. The program is currently planning its 13th annual Transition Resource Fairs: two one-day conferences attended by families, teachers, local agencies, and potential employers intended to help students with developmental disabilities find employment before leaving their high school programs. Several years ago, Microsoft approached the School-to-Work Program to be a partner in hosting and coordinating the Transition Resource Fairs. This partnership has helped it become one of the most informative and resourceful events for students with disabilities… Read More
10 Years of Water Taxi
Crossposted from the Captain’s Blog My, how the years have sailed by. The year was 2007. Washington State Ferries operated two morning runs and two evening runs to and from Vashon Island, and its passenger-only ferry was the only direct access for Vashon residents to downtown Seattle. Read more from the Captain’s Blog
Employee News 