Turning passion for people into opportunities

By Katelin Gladney, Customer Service Intern Take a walk around King County and you’ll see how residents’ experiences can vary wildly. Some are doing well and benefitting from the strong, tech-fueled economy. But far too many are struggling to even keep a roof over their heads. Finding ways to help those struggling is the mission of King County employee Andréa Akita, Director of Communities of Opportunity (COO). King County partnered with the Seattle Foundation a local philanthropic organization, to create the initiative aimed at providing equity and social justice to all communities… Read More

Lift Every Youth graduation: Each one, teach one

Last week, we shared how our Lift Every Youth Employment & Mentorship Program is helping to break down barriers to well-paying jobs and career success for young people through an innovative internship and mentorship program that intentionally prioritizes young people with the greatest needs in Internship program breaks barriers for young people most affected by inequities. This year’s program participants graduated last week, and marked the occasion with a graduation event with King County Executive Dow Constantine at the Dexter Horton Building. “Over the last two years, Lift Every Youth has been… Read More

King County uses ACS data to help older Americans with housing affordability

King County uses the American Community Survey data in many ways to support our residents.  The following story from King County Assessor John Wilson was featured in the ACS User Data group; which includes users from cities and counties around the nation.  This story was put together by the assessor’s office, the Executive Office, and Public Health staff; including Chandler Felt and Susan Kinne. When I became King County Assessor in 2016, real estate values had been jumping at a double-digit pace annually and housing affordability was headed towards a crisis level—especially… Read More

2018 Equity & Social Justice Speaker Series

You are invited! The 2018 Equity & Social Justice Speaker Series invites you to a Lunch & Learn Tuesday, Aug. 28, noon to 1 p.m. in room 123 of the Chinook Building. This session features The Anti-Defamation League, with a presentation by Hillary Bernstein and Miri Cypers (Director), and is brought to you by KC Equity Fund and KCIT ESJ: Learning, Advocating, Cultivating.  

Equity from birth: Why community-based support is crucial

Crossposted from Best Starts for Kids Blog Via The Giving Compass – Original contribution by Brenda Blasingame, M.A., Executive Director at HealthConnect One and Dila K Perera, MSW MPH, Executive Director at  Open Arms Perinatal Services In communities across King County, parent peer support programs are building networks of resources and social supports for caregivers. Best Starts seeks to strengthen and expand these programs by partnering with community organizations that serve expecting parents, families, and caregivers, and who have expertise in providing maternal-child health and prenatal and perinatal peer support direct services. If this describes your work, stay tuned to the… Read More

Learn more about Metro’s Shared Employer Shuttle program

Crossposted from Metro Matters By Scott Gutierrez Have you heard about Metro’s “Shared Employer Shuttle” program? On Aug. 15, employers who are interested can learn more during an informational meeting at Metro’s main office. Metro launched the program earlier this year to work with groups of employers interested in sharing transportation services for their workers.  This represents a great opportunity for employers to improve the coverage or frequency of their transportation services, lower the cost of providing service, and help improve regional mobilty. Read more. Interested groups of employers need to submit… Read More

A Photo Finish for 2018 Clean Team Ambassador of the Year Scott Siemers

Shared from King County Superior Court and Downtown Seattle Association King County Superior Court has several treatment programs. One of the programs is Family Treatment Court. The Downtown Seattle Association recently voted a 2016 Family Treatment Court graduate Scott Siemers the DSA Clean Street Ambassador of 2018! Enjoy!  The judge asked for a picture of Scott Siemers. Not for legal reasons, but to celebrate his graduation from the treatment program that successfully reunited Siemers with his three-year-old daughter and fiance. It was a good day, and Siemers ended it by getting married. Siemers has… Read More

Workforce Magazine Presents 2018 Game Changer Award

For someone new to HR, Zackary King has the drive, humility and forethought of a true Game Changer. The Public Health, Seattle & King County Education Engagement Strategy (EES) Program nominated Public Health Human Resources Analyst Zack King for Workforce Magazine’s Game Changer Award. King is now one of 25 recipients of this national recognition. The Game Changer Award recognizes King’s support of strategic plans for Public Health Environmental Health Services Division’s Office of Equity. The EES Program conveyed appreciation and seeks to expand its partnership with Public Health’s HR team. Zack’s activities supported: Public Health’s focus… Read More

Pet of the Week: Mark

Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Gentle giant Mark is our Pet of the Week! This five-year-old Siberian Husky loves to be around people. His personality color is “Bashful Blue,” meaning he can be a little shy at first. But, once he gets comfortable, Mark is a very happy and easy-going boy. Mark has been in a foster home for a few months while he was recovering from some digestive issues. He lived with two dogs, a cat, and children ages 9 and 15. He got along well with everyone, but did want… Read More

Teams trying to save ailing orca practice feeding live fish off Lummi Nation boat and SoundGuardian

The King County SoundGuardian was featured in a recent article by the Associated Press, highlighting its participation in efforts to save a sick orca whale in Puget Sound. Teams taking drastic measures to save a young, ailing killer whale loaded up two boats with fat live salmon as the sun rose Friday and rushed to waters off Washington state’s San Juan Island, preparing if needed to test-feed the critically endangered orca a day after injecting it with medicine. By early afternoon, it appeared the 3½-year-old female orca called J50 was too far north… Read More