October is Disability Awareness Month in King County
Dear fellow King County employee, October is Disability Awareness Month in King County, a time to celebrate and recognize the many contributions of people with disabilities in our community and around the world. It’s also a time to raise awareness about challenges that people with disabilities face and look at what we can do to help them thrive and fulfill their potential. Everyone deserves a fair shot at success. We are all better off when everyone has an equitable opportunity to fully participate in our community and contribute their unique perspectives and… Read More
King County remembers Sue Ammeter
“Sue was strong, she was fierce, but she also didn’t direct attention to herself and her efforts,” said Karla Lynch, Employment and Community Access Program Manager with the Department of Community and Human Services. “When I think about her energy and her effort, it really was to improve the lives of all people with disabilities.” While at King County Sue Ammeter worked as a Disability Services Specialist. She understood how disabilities could impact people’s lives, as she was blind herself. Her impact in the areas of civil rights, disability accommodations, and employee… Read More
Oxygen masks resuscitate pets suffering from smoke inhalation
The number one cause of death related to fires is smoke inhalation. In King County, firefighters are all trained emergency medical technician (EMT) basic level qualified. This means they know how to apply oxygen, when to apply oxygen, and how to administer it in a safe manner to humans. However, what happens when a beloved animal has suffered from smoke inhalation? Thanks to an investment from Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC), emergency responders in Tukwila are now equipped with life-saving oxygen masks for pets. The idea to ADD animal masks to Tukwila Fire Departments fire responding vehicles originally came about when… Read More
Local Hazardous Waste Management Program aims to remove dangerous chemical by 2025 from dry cleaners
The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program (LHWMP) project to transition dry cleaners from using perchloroethylene (PERC) to professional wet cleaning technology has successfully transitioned the first five cleaners. “PERC is a common dry cleaning chemical linked to cancer, liver damage, and neurological problems,” said Ashley Pedersen, policy liaison for LHWMP. “Approximately 190 former and current dry cleaning sites in King County have been contaminated by PERC. The national average cost of clean-up is $200,000” There are about 75 dry cleaners in King County that use the dangerous dry-cleaning chemical PERC to clean… Read More
Pet of the week: Bruno
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC This handsome fellow is Bruno, our Pet of the Week! Bruno came to us as a stray. Although we don’t know his history, Bruno’s caregivers have noticed that he enjoys the company of people. He just needs some time and patience to adjust to his new surroundings and human friends. Bruno is not an overly “touchy” guy, but he does appreciate a few pets here and there. This could change with time, but for now he just needs some space. Read more at Tails from RASKC
Congratulations to DCHS Director Adrienne Quinn
Crossposted from the Best Starts for Kids Blog Today King County Executive Dow Constantine announced that Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) Director Adrienne Quinn has accepted a new position at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy & Governance as a Distinguished Practitioner (a faculty post). We are deeply grateful for Adrienne’s leadership with our department and with Best Starts for Kids. Under her leadership and vision, we’ve launched the most comprehensive approach to childhood and youth development in the nation, living into our equity and social justice values at… Read More
Council establishes new Department of Local Services
Crossposted from Inside Transportation by Harold S. Taniguchi, Director, King County Dept. of Transportation, Local Services Transition Lead On behalf of all who work with residents of unincorporated King County, I want to thank members of the Metropolitan King County Council for unanimously adopting an ordinance to make our new King County Department of Local Services a reality. As you can see in this statement from Executive Constantine, this Council action now leads us into the budget process. The Department of Local Services (DLS) will be funded with existing revenues, and the Executive will now include… Read More
Prosecuting Attorney’s Office employee receives Department of Defense Patriot Award
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) gives employees the opportunity to nominate an individual supervisor or boss for support provided directly to the nominating service member and his or her family. Dan Clark, a supervisor with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, was recently presented with a Patriot Award for his support of King County employee and Army Reserve Sgt. Thomas O’Ban. “Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation’s Guard and Reserve units,” said Phil Sanders, ESGR member. Read more in the original story to appear on… Read More
Additional events for Latinx Heritage Month, Sept. 20 and Oct. 1
These upcoming events are sponsored by Metro Transit’s EEO, Equity, and Inclusion Office. All King County employees are welcomed. For questions, or to volunteer for future heritage month events, please contact Joy Bryngelson at 206-477-8667 or Joy.Bryngelson@kingcounty.gov. Cross Agency Hispanic-Latinx Heritage Month Celebration hosted by Sound Transit, King County Metro and SDOT Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Union Station-Ruth Fisher Board Room. Come enjoy a cultural program and Latin-American desserts, both free! Consul of Mexico Presents “Mexican Ingenuity” Monday, Oct. 1, 2018 from noon to 1 p.m. at the King Street Center 8th floor conference room. Back… Read More
Employee proud to have positive impact, helping local youth succeed
Making a difference in your community looks different for everyone. For Tevin Gladney, a Peer Connector with King County’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), making a difference in his community is something he can do every day at work. Tevin is with the Reconnect to Opportunity program from DCHS’ Employment and Education Resources, which regularly provides equitable opportunities for youth and adults to prepare for and obtain great jobs. Just recently, Tevin received a referral from a school counselor at Renton High School introducing him to a student who was struggling with staying engaged in… Read More
Employee News 