Social Services on ‘portrait mode’
“King County has a lot of services that can help people. Maybe other employees are veterans or have relatives who are. If they need help or have questions about the program, I’m always open,” Anh Tran says. Following several iterations of what is now known as the Veterans, Seniors & Human Services Levy (VSHSL), veterans and their family members can access housing, connect to mental health counselors, and get help navigating a complex system. King County defines veteran differently than other agencies, allowing Social Service Professionals like Anh to provide lower-barrier services to… Read More
Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth Mental Health on Vashon Island
Cross-posted from Cultivating Connections Young people across King County and the country are facing increasingly difficult mental health challenges. Young people who are in underserved communities, including LGBTQ+ and BIPOC young people, face even steeper challenges. According to King County’s Healthy Youth Survey, LGBTQ+ young people have an urgent need for mental health supports, with higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts, and depression. King County is working with community partners to meet LGBTQ+ youth with needed resources, through programs that prioritize culturally relevant supports. Read more.
Transforming transit for a greener tomorrow
Cross-posted from Metro Matters Every week, more than one million people use King County Metro‘s buses, on-demand services, paratransit vans, water taxis and other modes to get to where they need to go. Metro serves 37 cities in Washington state, including Seattle, and a county with a population that’s greater than 15 U.S. states. Metro is proud to be an industry leader in how we deliver our service sustainably. Our transition to a zero-emission fleet powered by renewable energy is part of King County’s holistic approach to combat climate change. We are on track… Read More
White Center Teen Program celebrates 30 years
Cross-posted from King County Parks The White Center Teen Program will celebrate its 30-year anniversary on June 30. The program, based out of the Log Cabin at Steve Cox Memorial Park, exists to create a space for young people to come together and build friendships in a safe space. Through discovering new activities and hobbies, teens build community together, practice leadership, and cultivate a sense of belonging. Read more.
Learn to identify plants
Cross-posted from Noxious Weed News If you’re looking at a new plant and not sure where to start with identifying it, the internet is your friend. Whether you’re looking in a park, on a trail, or in your own backyard, we can provide some tips to help you figure out what plant you’re looking at. Before you get started with some plant identification specific applications, it will be helpful to become familiar with some useful plant terms. Read more.
Look inside the giant new tunnel that will improve water quality in Seattle’s Ship Canal
The famed “MudHoney” drill, Seattle’s latest celebrity boring machine, has finished its 100-foot-deep tunnel-boring job. It recently broke through its destination at a shaft in Wallingford, completing a 2.7-mile journey from Ballard along the Lake Washington Ship Canal. The work took 21 months at a pace of about 50-feet a day. This is a major milestone in a multi-year project to construct a tunnel and pump system that will improve water quality for the benefit of people and wildlife. Read more.
Keeping children safe during the wildfire season
Cross-posted from Best Starts for Kids With rising temperatures and dryer conditions, the 2023 wildfire season is expected to start early in King County and last into the fall. Wildfire smoke is unhealthy for everyone, especially after heavy exercise or spending long periods of time outside. Children are more sensitive to heat and wildfire smoke than adults because their lungs and bodies are still growing. In preparation for wildfire season, Public Health has put together recommendations to help protect children from smoke and unhealthy air. Read more.
Addressing inequalities in LGBTQ+ cancer screening coverage in King County
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider While we are fortunate to live in a top-ranked state for LGBTQ+ equality, LGBTQ+ communities have long faced misunderstanding and stigma due to limited healthcare access. In addition, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) who are LGBTQ+ face extra challenges receiving equitable care due to systematic segregation, lack of access, and exclusion. There is also evidence that many LGBTQ+ individuals are likelier to experience inadequate and poor care because of potential bias and lack of knowledge from health providers. Increasing awareness of cancer screenings is crucial and will ensure… Read More
Independence Day holiday is Tuesday, July 4
Tuesday, July 4 is Independence Day, which means that King County government offices will be closed. All offices will be back on schedule Wednesday, July 5. On July 4, most Metro Transit buses will operate on Sunday schedules with extra late-night services. There will not be an Employee Newsletter published on July 4. If you have questions about your holiday schedule, please speak to your supervisor. Have a safe and healthy holiday.
Sun safety tips
As we all know, our region does not get year-round sun. It seems like every year when summer arrives, we rush outside to get the much-needed sun we’ve been missing. Whether you are enjoying your summer activities or exposed to sun during your workday, don’t forget to follow these sun safety tips to keep you cool and safe: Wear sunscreen: No matter your skin type, sunscreen helps protect you from damage caused by UV rays. Cover all exposed areas of your body with an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen. Wear appropriate clothing: Choose lightweight,… Read More
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