Greg Wilson receives award from Washington Alliance for Better Schools

Greg Wilson, a Program Manager within Public Health’s Environmental Health Services Division, won the inaugural Outstanding Leadership Award from the Washington Alliance for Better Schools (WABS). WABS is a collaborative of school districts and industry leaders working to support students. They give this award in recognition of a person or team who has demonstrated outstanding engagement with WABS over time. Greg was selected due to his collaboration with WABS for over a decade, providing instructor support and coordinating teacher externships, and for his consistent advocacy for partnerships between WABS and Public Health…. Read More

Public Health program transforms into collaborative troupe, empowering employees and engaging the community

The Employee Engagement Strategy (EES) Program at Public Health – Seattle and King County has recently undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving into a dynamic collective known as the EES Troupe. The Troupe brings together participants from various divisions and departments throughout King County, with the aim of fostering effective employee engagement and strengthening collaborative strategies. The EES Troupe has been working diligently to create a robust working environment that promotes teamwork, innovation, and productivity among colleagues internally. By encouraging employees to work together and leverage their diverse expertise, the Troupe aims to… Read More

Building community and wellness at Metro

King County Metro’s Wellness Team recently hosted the 2023 Metro Wellness Fair to provide in-person support and resources on wellness, safety, and workplace benefits to Metro employees. The Wellness Fair (formerly known as the Health & Safety Fair) took place at the Atlantic/Central Base over the course of three days and offered a fun and engaging experience that focused on the health and wellbeing of Metro employees. By hosting the Wellness Fair, Metro’s Wellness Team aims to bring awareness to the amazing health and wellness benefits that are available to employees and… Read More

Integrating health care systems to support and care for people with substance use disorders  

Crossposted from Cultivating Connections Substance use disorders (SUDs) are complex conditions that continue to impact people from all walks of life. Like many communities across the nation, King County residents are seeing a rise in substance use disorders and overdoses, particularly with the tragic impacts of the fentanyl epidemic being felt across our communities. This summer, the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) published a blog series focused on what residents should know about King County’s SUD response. You can read more here: SUD Treatment Prevention and intervention The latest blog… Read More

Youth learn and develop community leadership skills through Metro Transit Equity Internship Program

Crossposted from Metro Matters This July, King County Metro hosted its second annual Youth Transit Equity Internship. The program provides a unique group learning and skill-building opportunity for young people interested in public transit and community leadership. Throughout the program, the Transit Equity Interns become peer ambassadors of transportation resources, explore career pathways within Metro, and build skills and knowledge of transit, urban planning, climate justice, and local government! Read more.

Metro wants to hear from people with disabilities about their mobility needs

Crossposted from Metro Matters Mobility for people with disabilities has always been a vital part of Metro’s mission and we work hard to remove barriers. Metro is currently developing a plan to further improve accessibility within our programs, services and activities. Our goal is to make it possible for everyone in King County to ride with us and get to the places they need to go. We invite you to complete our community survey by Oct. 15. Scroll down to learn more about Metro’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. Your input about your experiences riding… Read More

Executive Constantine proclaims 2023 Falls Prevention Awareness Week

Sept. 18 is the start of Falls Prevention Awareness Week, which Executive Dow Constantine has declared for King County. Falls are the leading cause of injuries for people 65 and older in King County, but they are largely preventable. This week, join county programs and community partners in raising awareness on how to reduce fall risks for our friends, family and ourselves. Learn more here. Read the full proclamation here.

Plan your next adventure with Backyard FunFinder

Did you know that King County has 200+ parks and trails in our Parks system? It’s easier than ever to plan your next adventure with our new Backyard FunFinder interactive map. This new tool centralizes all King County park, trail, and natural area information in one place and replaces our former Park Finder and Trail Finder tools. You can search by geographic area, amenities, and recreational opportunities. In addition, you can look up which public transit options are available and if there are any construction projects or other impacts happening in the area. Go… Read More

Back to school mental health

It is that time of year when teachers are busily getting their classrooms ready for the drove of students to enter, parents and caregivers are gathering school supplies, and students are picking out their first day outfits. It is an exciting time, but it can also be a time of mixed emotions for many youth that are struggling with feelings of anxiety and depression. This is a critical time for students and their mental health. The back-to-school transition is challenging enough on its own—navigating academics, social dynamics, and personal growth are very… Read More

Step into Fall with healthier habits

Learn more about tracking and WW tools to help you on your journey of success. Join WW by Oct. 31 and get a free Smart Scale that syncs right to the WW app, making your activities easier – and tracking is one of the keys to building healthier new habits. Available for all new sign ups Sept. 1 through Oct. 31. It’s easy to get started, available to all employees and benefits-covered spouses and state-registered domestic partners, and King County pays for half of your membership dues. (Please note: The dollar value of the employer paid… Read More