Celebrating 2023 National Disability Employment Awareness Month
In October King County celebrates the contributions made by people with disabilities, and how disabilities, both visible and non-apparent, enhance our workforce, our communities, and our country. King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci honored the contributions of individuals with disabilities by proclaiming October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). On Oct. 10, during hybrid King County Council meeting, Councilmember Claudia Balducci read the proclamation and provided additional personal insights. Thank you to the King County Council for recognizing National Disability Employment Awareness Month as a time to honor the invaluable contributions of… Read More
Sign up to close a ballot drop box
Ballots for the November General Election head out the door on Wednesday, Oct. 18 and the countdown to Election Day, Nov. 7, has begun. As you know, drop boxes close at 8 p.m. sharp on Election Day and there is often a last-minute rush of voters looking to get their ballots in on time. King County Elections needs your help to provide customer service and assistance to voters using this last opportunity to return their ballots. Sign up to join us for a fun and fulfilling experience helping your neighbors experience the excitement… Read More
Resources and support during National Substance Use Prevention Month
Crossposted from Balanced You Balanced You recognizes October as National Substance Use Prevention Month and wants to highlight the importance of prevention in protecting people’s health and support those in recovery, as well as the family, friends, and community supporting them. We also remember those who have lost their lives to substance use and recognize the devasting loss for their loved ones. Millions of Americans suffer from substance use disorders, which includes alcohol and tobacco dependency, non-medical use of prescription drugs, abuse of over-the-counter medications, and illicit drug use. Read more.
Celebrating Metro’s Hispanic/Latinx employees
Crossposted from Metro Matters Over the past month, we have been engaging with our Metro colleagues from the Latinx Affinity Group to learn about their unique experiences related to heritage, community, and personal identity, as part of Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month. This heritage month is uniquely recognized in the middle of September through the middle of October (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15), as it coincides with national independence celebrations in several Latin American countries. Read more.
Celebrating 35 Years with Jamie Schmeichel, Parks Specialist
By Quinn Pense, Parks District Maintenance Coordinator Please join us in celebrating Jamie Schmeichel, an extraordinary individual who has dedicated an impressive 35 years of their life to serving our community. Jamie is an integral member of the nursery team and restoration program, working diligently to ensure the flourishing beauty of our parks. His current tasks include weeding, filling pots with soil, transplanting plants, measuring fertilizer, planting seeds, and helping to tidy up around the Nursery. He does all of this with a smile and comes to work happy to be part of… Read More
Adaptive adventures: Making the outdoors accessible
Crossposted from King County Parks This spring, the Healthy Communities and Parks Fund (Tier 1), awarded nearly $200,000 total to 14 different organizations working to improve access to parks, open space, and recreation in underserved communities of King County. One of those organizations is Needs of the Community (NOC) Society, who received almost $15,000 to provide free and accessible travel opportunities for young adults with medical illnesses and disabilities through their Camp Without Borders program. Read more.
Support humanitarian efforts in the Middle East during the Annual Giving Drive
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis in the Middle East. Thousands of lives have been lost, and many more people have been injured and displaced. Many nonprofit organizations were already on the ground providing aid, and more still are working to ensure immediate and long-term humanitarian aid for Israel, Gaza, and the surrounding region. When people are in need anywhere in the world, employees want to help. The King County Employee Giving Program has several nonprofits in the program that are responding. Both short-term and… Read More
Five questions with Lauren Orichio, Supported Employment Program Manager
1. What is your role at King County and when did you start? I started at King County on Sept. 18 as the Supported Employment Program Manager. The goal of the Supported Employment Program is to create employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities within King County Government. In doing so, we get closer to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. 2. What is your background in supported employment? I was a special education teacher in Seattle Public Schools before joining PROVAIL, a multi-service agency supporting individuals with developmental… Read More
Upcoming employee COVID-19 and flu vaccine clinics
King County is hosting two onsite clinics where employees can get vaccinated against both COVID-19 and the flu. Employees can register for one of the two clinics offering both COVID-19 and flu vaccines scheduled for November. This is the new 2023 monovalent COVID-19 vaccination targeting the XBB 1.5 strain of COVID-19. Learn more and register here.
Helping King County’s older adults prepare for emergencies
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections Every September organizations and local governments across the country observe National Preparedness Month to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. This year, the nationwide theme “Take Control in 1, 2, 3” focuses on preparing older adults for disasters, specifically older adults from communities that are disproportionally impacted by hazardous events. To learn more about the Department of Community and Human Services‘ (DCHS) work to prepare older adults for emergencies in King County, Taylor Gaston, the Veterans, Seniors and Human… Read More
Employee News 