Crossposted from the DAJD newsletter Every quarter, DAJD staff teams up with Seattle Public Library (SPL) to host a “Read to Me” workshop with people housed at King County Correctional Facility. Through this reoccurring program, residents attend three sessions with SPL’s librarians, ultimately resulting in a recorded story that is sent home to children, grandchildren, or other young relatives as a special keepsake.  “Our role as Children’s Services Librarians is to help parents and caregivers connect with their children through sharing stories and books, and to support parents as the most important… Read More

Crossposted from Metro Matters We invite you to comment on the final draft of our Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan by Jan. 10. Mobility is a route to opportunity, connecting people to their jobs, schools, services, and other important places. People with disabilities face many barriers as they try to get around King County. For example, we know that a higher percentage of people with disabilities rely on public transit for commuting compared to others. Our mission is to provide safe, reliable and equitable public transportation to everyone. That is why,… Read More

Crossposted from Cultivating Connections King County marked a new milestone recently in our progress to make sure community members receive timely and effective behavioral health care in a mental health or substance use crisis. On Dec. 2, the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division (BHRD) launched its new mobile rapid-response crisis teams for adults, adding 10 new teams in the field, plus new services and providers to the program. “We’re building a robust crisis system where everyone has access to the care they need, when and where they need it — reducing hospital… Read More

Crossposted from King County Local King County recognizes the toll the recent storm took on many in the unincorporated areas, including those who suffered property damage. The Department of Local Services wants to help unincorporated King County residents whose properties were affected by quickly processing their damage repair permits. Our Permitting Division asks property owner’s to apply for a damage assessment inspection online once an owner’s property has been secured to prevent unauthorized entry. Inspection staff will then conduct a damage assessment inspection, report on findings, and direct the property owner on additional permitting… Read More

King County biologists recently reported the strongest return of adult kokanee salmon in the Lake Sammamish watershed in a decade, a potential breakthrough for the freshwater species after nearly going extinct a few years ago. At least 6,800 adult kokanee salmon have returned from the lake to their spawning ground this season after 10 years of alarmingly low returns, including just 19 salmon returning to spawn during the 2017-2018 season. The strong return occurred six years after King County Executive Dow Constantine directed the Department of Natural Resources and Parks to enact… Read More

Originally published by the King County Wastewater Treatment Division  To those who pass by, Skills Inc. may seem like just another grey building tucked behind Auburn’s mile-long dealership row. Inside, the company is quietly making its mark contributing to western Washington’s cluster of innovation in commercial aerospace. The work of manufacturing and finishing wings, landing gear, side panels, and other aerospace parts involves the use of heavy metals and caustic chemicals. While Skills Inc.’s finished products end up all over the world, the company has a responsibility locally to keep Puget Sound… Read More