Department of Local Services brings together unincorporated area utility providers to share experiences from ‘bomb cyclone’ and other severe weather
Crossposted from King County Local Last November, a rare “bomb cyclone” pounded the Puget Sound region. The storm downed trees and knocked out power and other services for weeks in parts of unincorporated King County. This week, the Department of Local Services invited representatives from utility providers and partner agencies that serve unincorporated King County for a discussion about communication, coordination and recovery during the storm. The discussion also covered lessons learned and ways to collaborate and strengthen partnerships to better serve communities during major weather events. Read more.
Shannon Braddock sworn in as acting King County Executive
Today, Shannon Braddock was sworn in as acting King County Executive after a unanimous vote by the County Council. King County voters will elect a new executive in November. Braddock is the first woman to serve as King County Executive. She previously served as Deputy County Executive and has 15 years of local government experience. “It’s an incredible honor to be acting King County Executive. I’m committed to providing strong and steady leadership for the people of King County and delivering the essential services communities rely on, from roads, parks and trails… Read More
It’s time to invite your favorite nonprofit!
Crossposted from KC Employee Giving Now is the perfect time to invite your favorite nonprofit to be a part of the King County Employee Giving Program! Over the last 35 years, our list of nonprofits has grown from around ten to more than 1300, partly because of referrals from Employees. Read more.
Mental health services expand at Seattle school-based health centers
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Young people in King County have been in need of more access to mental health services in a time when the Surgeon General has declared youth mental health a public health crisis. “There was a mental health crisis as students came back to school in the wake of COVID,” said Noir Goldberg, a 2024 graduate of Ballard High School and former executive board member of the Seattle Student Union. “So many students were suffering but were having a hard time finding a therapist in their community because of… Read More
DES Director’s Office employees repack 4,300 pounds of food
Crossposted from the DES Express Thirteen employees from the Department of Executive Services (DES) Director’s Office sorted and repackaged nearly 4,300 pounds of baked goods at Food Lifeline recently. That’s a lot of dough! The Director’s Office has volunteered at Food Lifeline for four consecutive years as a team-building activity and to give back to the community. Food Lifeline’s mission is to feed people experiencing hunger today while working to end hunger for tomorrow. Groups of volunteers sort and repack food at their Seattle warehouse in two-hour sessions, helping feed people facing… Read More
King County Metro restarts fare enforcement March 31
Crossposted from Metro Matters Starting March 31, King County Metro Fare Enforcement Officers will ask riders for proof of fare payment on buses and streetcars. Friendly, verbal reminders will be given to riders who did not pay. Metro first will focus fare inspections on RapidRide routes, other high-ridership bus routes and the Seattle Streetcar. “Metro relies on fares to provide safe, clean and reliable transit service, however we estimate that one-third or more of our riders are not paying their fare,” Metro’s Chief Safety Officer Rebecca Frankhauser said. “By restarting fare enforcement,… Read More
Providing reentry supports for veterans following incarceration
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections Returning to the community after incarceration poses new and unique challenges, especially for veterans. Getting identification and taking care of physical and mental health needs are a priority, and so is finding employment, securing housing, and accessing food and transportation. Understanding all of these systems can be challenging. Recognizing the specific needs of veterans returning to their communities after incarceration, King County’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) launched the King County Veterans Reentry Program (KCVRP) last year. Empowering veterans to successfully rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society, KCVRP helps… Read More
King County Council Women’s History Month celebration, March 25
The King County Council will host its annual educational panel discussion for Women’s History Month. The purpose of the event is to bring people together to explore, share and honor women’s history. This year’s theme is Moving forward together! Women educating and inspiring generations, which will be an opportunity to celebrate the collective strength and influence of women who have dedicated their lives to education, mentorship, and leadership. Councilmembers will also present the second annual Jeanne Kohl-Welles Women Uplifting Women Award. Tuesday, March 25 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. King County Chinook Building, Rooms… Read More
Helping people in a crisis: Update on King County’s Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Teams
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections King County launched its new Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Teams (MRRCT)1 in December and the expanded program is providing much-needed relief to our communities while we build more crisis care centers for people to go in a mental health, drug or alcohol related crisis. Mobile crisis teams are trained mental health workers and peer specialists with lived experience of mental health or substance use challenges. They travel to help people in a crisis where they are. The teams work to calm, stabilize, and solve the crisis in the field and then connect people… Read More
Tap your King County ID or ORCA card on transit
King County Metro will resume fare inspection on March 31. Fare Enforcement Officers will ask riders for proof of payment. As a reminder, everyone—even riders with fully-subsidized transit benefits from an employer like King County—needs to tap their King County ID or use another payment method. As a reminder, you can use your King County ID to travel anywhere, at any time, for free on transit. Tapping your card directly supports transit—and benefits you and Metro in other ways, too. For example, it lets Metro know how you ride public transportation so they can… Read More
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