A llama-zing story
Crossposted from the King County Sheriff’s Office newsletter On July 15, the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Communications Center received a call from a delivery driver stating that he was unable to deliver a package due to a llama standing in the middle of the road and blocking traffic. Deputy Connor Paczosa responded to the location and sure enough, found said llama in the roadway refusing to move. Using his de-escalation skills and standing just a tad over spitting distance, Deputy Paczosa was able to sweet talk him into putting on a… Read More
Best Starts 2022 Annual Report and Data Dashboard is now live
Crossposted from the Best Starts for Kids blog In 2022, Best Starts for Kids expanded into new investment areas, responding to community input and need, including funding equitable access to high quality, affordable, and well-compensated child care. Best Starts launched an equity-centered capital program to build, repair, and expand community spaces to better serve communities. Best Starts extended contracts to support continuity of services, offered 34 funding opportunities, and distributed over $110 million to community partners. Best Starts partnered with more than 450 community-based organizations operating more than 500 programs to reach over 264,000… Read More
Bringing a global upbringing to transport local impact: Meet William D. Clark with King County Metro
From the American Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pasifika Affinity Group As a Functional Analyst III for King County Metro Transit Facilities Division, William D. Clark (he/him) feels a responsibility to try to positively promote wellbeing and engagement in the workplace. This care expressed itself in his quiet but powerful presence, and his commitment to personal growth, learning, and living fully. “I would say that my interest in the transportation environment was due to my upbringing. We were always on the move and being accustomed to unrest and unease about staying in one… Read More
New program bridges gaps to meet the health and wellness needs of King County’s veterans
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections Many of America’s veterans, servicemembers, and their family members face challenges in accessing healthcare and wellness supports. Often times, challenges arise due to gaps in eligibility for health coverage, difficulties navigating large healthcare systems such as the VA, and the complexities in applying for and receiving disability benefits. Since 2005, the King County Veterans Program (KCVP), the nation’s strongest local veterans program, has supported King County veterans, servicemembers, and their families through a range of financial assistance, employment and job training supports, housing resources, mental health counseling, and social engagement… Read More
Voting materials available in 7 languages
New this Primary Election: King County Elections now provides ballots and voting materials in Russian and Somali. Voters can now receive their voting materials, from ballots to voters’ pamphlets to ballot alerts, in seven languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Sign up to receive voting materials in the language of your choice at https://kce.wiki/languages. For more information about King County elections visit www.kingcounty.gov/elections.
FMD flies the flag for Pride, manages flags for county buildings
Crossposted from the DES Express Each year during the week before the LGBTQ+ Pride Parade, Facilities Management Division (FMD) staff prepare to raise the Progress Pride flag at the Administration Building. Graphic designer Daniel Quasar’s Progress Pride Flag added five arrow-shaped lines to the six-colored Rainbow Flag, which is widely recognized as a symbol of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ+) community. It’s one of many flags FMD manages for special holidays, sports team accomplishments and other events. In addition, FMD manages lowerings of the American flag at county buildings for… Read More
One week to Election Day
Election Day is Tuesday, Aug. 1. You have one week left to fill out, sign, and return your ballot. Ballots need to be in a drop box by 8 p.m. sharp on Election Day, August 1, or have a postmark on or before Election Day. Vote Centers open this Saturday, July 29, for those who need in-person assistance. Please remember that employees may not send their ballot to Elections via interoffice mail. They must use a regular mailbox or drop box – no stamp needed. Call King County Elections with any questions… Read More
Celebrating the more than 100 young people who graduated from DCHS youth programs this school year
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections More than 100 young people celebrated earning their secondary credentials (GEDs or high school diplomas) last month with programs in the Children, Youth, and Young Adults Division (CYYAD). Many of these young people also earned college credits simultaneously. Read more.
As Duwamish River is made cleaner, local artists help community connect to its waters
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories The Duwamish River has many sides to it – industrial corridor, habitat for migrating salmon, ancestral waters for the people who have long inhabited its shores and waters. Two local artists have been commissioned to capture the complexity of the Duwamish and the clean water infrastructure that’s being designed to support a healthier river for future generations. Timothy White Eagle and Laura C. Wright are designing art that will be featured as part of King County’s West Duwamish Wet Weather Storage Facility to enhance the project’s connections to community. Both are residents of King County,… Read More
Jail residents receive high school diplomas in first post-pandemic graduation ceremony
Crossposted from the DAJD Employee Newsletter On June 29, a high school graduation ceremony was held at the King County Correctional Facility (KCCF) for six young men. As the first graduation since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was a welcome and inspiring return to normalcy. The six graduates were participants in the Interagency Academy, which was internally supported by DAJD Volunteer Coordinator Karen Pohio, and Education Instructor Tom Meadough. “The graduation ceremony provided a unique opportunity to witness students proudly receive diplomas as a measure of their dedicated efforts to… Read More
Employee News 