2019 State of the County address
Dear fellow King County employee, Yesterday I delivered my 2019 State of the County address at the Preston Community Center in East King County around the theme of our “True North”: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. These words sum up all that we’ve been working toward in the almost 10 years that I have served as your County Executive, and what we will continue to focus our efforts on in 2019 and beyond. In my address, I announced a new Public Health model for maternity and… Read More
With one year until Census Day 2020, Executive Constantine, Mayor Durkan, and Seattle Foundation announce first-ever $1 million Regional Census Fund
Joined by community members at El Centro de la Raza, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan, and Seattle Foundation President and CEO Tony Mestres created the first-ever Regional Census Fund to provide $1 million in funding to help community organizations prepare for the 2020 Census, which will be conducted April 1, 2020. The Regional Census Fund is a $1 million pooled fund that will allocate money to Seattle and King County-based community organizations to help fund outreach and other activities for the United States 2020 Census. Read more in the… Read More
Judicial Administration employees help to save a life
King County’s Adult Drug Diversion Court (Drug Court) is a nationally recognized program implemented in 1994. The program supports our community by providing treatment and other ancillary services under the auspices of the Court to eligible defendants with the goal of rehabilitation and empowerment. Drug Court has saved lives both figuratively and literally with Wednesday, April 3, being no exception. After taking two doses of methadone and recognizing a potential overdose, a participant knocked on Drug Court’s door seeking help. This program traditionally helps save lives over the course of many months,… Read More
Scenes from the late 1980s: Looking back at the construction of the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel
Crossposted from Bytes and Boxes On March 23, the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT) converted to Link light rail trains only, and bus service was moved to surface streets. At the Archives, we’re reminiscing over these photographs of its construction, showing a glimpse of 1980s Seattle and the people who built the tunnel. The photos below come from Series 1844: Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel project files and Series 1147: Office of Information Resource Management Printing and Graphic Arts photographs. Ask an archivist if you have any questions about any of these photographs or the other transit-related records held… Read More
Executive Constantine discusses new labor agreement, importance of strong partnerships in article
King County Executive Dow Constantine signed a new two-year Total Compensation Agreement this week with leaders of the King County Coalition of Unions representing nearly half of the County’s 14,000 employees, and penned an op-ed article in the Washington State Labor Council’s TheStand.org publication about the agreement. In the article the Executive talks about significance of the agreement, its key elements, and the importance of King County’s strong relationship with labor. “I appreciate the value that unions bring to their members and to the broader community,” Executive Constantine wrote. “Our employees are the backbone… Read More
Employee Transportation Program makes it easy to get around
King County employees are saving time and money while reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions by making the most of their Employee Transportation Program benefits. In January 2019 alone, almost 7,300 employees used public transit at least once, saving money on gas, parking costs, and wear-and-tear on their personal vehicles. Last year King County employees took more than 2.2 million transit trips across 12 transit services, saving $3.5 million in fares. “Over time, the Employee Transportation Program has been adding more services so County employees have even more choices to commute to work,… Read More
Youth engagement program provides resources and voice to Latinx students
King County is committed to being a place where every person can succeed and fulfil their potential. It is important to further work being done that allows every community here to thrive and have the opportunities it deserves. A current program in the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), through the Employment and Education Resources (EER) division, seeks to do this for underserved Latinx youth. The King County Reengagement System, working closely with the Road Map Project, coordinates with local partners to reduce education and employment disparities faced by youth and… Read More
County Council condemns intolerance, supports religious freedom
They are your co-workers, friends and neighbors. They serve in the military, are in law enforcement and work in King County government. They are Muslims, a faith with over 1-billion worshipers, and they are increasingly under attack. Responding to the growing acts of religious intolerance not only in King County, but around the world, the Metropolitan King County Council condemned acts of violence against those exercising their constitutionally protected right to worship. The proclamation recognizes the killing of 50 worshipers inside two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand on March 15 by a… Read More
Pet of the Week: Kona
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Kona is a 3 ½ year-old, female, black and white, domestic shorthair cat (A527477). Her personality color is RED, meaning she is fun-loving and very spirited! Kona’s previous family described her as adventurous and playful. She may need a little time to warm up to new people, but once she does she is a big sweetheart! Read more from Tails from RASKC
New King County enhanced shelter opens at West Wing
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the opening of a 40-bed men’s shelter in a former work-release space at the King County Correctional Facility in downtown Seattle. The facility renovation, which took place after King County held a series of focus groups with advocates and those who have experienced homelessness, cost $2 million. It included upgrades to facility internal systems, new sinks and other plumbing fixtures, new fiber optic cables, paint, laundry, and other improvements, including removing security signage and infrastructure. DESC will provide services, including behavioral health treatment, housing counseling and… Read More
Employee News 