Executive proclaims May 2023 as Older Americans Month
Cross-posted from Cultivating Connections In recognition of the contributions of older residents in our local communities, King County Excecutive Dow Constantine has proclaimed May 2023 as Older Americans Month. Executive Constantine encourages all residents to honor the important contributions that older adults of every race, class, and ethnic background make to the progress of our County and nation. Learn more and read the full proclamation here.
Third anniversary of Con Confianza y En Comunidad
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider Con Confianza was envisioned as a community-led space where community members, community leaders and organizations could receive direct and accurate information about the COVID-19 virus. Since misinformation was directed at Latinos, Con Confianza y En Comunidad was the place to receive the latest data on the virus and resources such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and communication and technical support from the County. Read more about this effort and watch the video.
Mental health resources for children and teens
While we work to ensure that King County employees have the resources they need to take care of their mental health, it is important to note that 50% of all mental health conditions begin before age 14 and 75% before age 24. Current reports indicate that the rates of anxiety and depression among children and teens are increasing. If you find that your child needs mental health care, Washington state has a free resource to connect families with mental health providers for children and teens 17 or younger. The referral service helps families… Read More
King County proclaims May Treatment Court Month. Here’s what that means for participants
From the King County Superior Courts The King County Council and the King County Executive have proclaimed May Treatment Court Month. This proclamation recognizes and celebrates the success of program participants. It also affirms the important role courts play in addressing problems at the intersection of public safety and public health. For three decades, King County’s treatment courts have helped people whose legal system involvement stems from substance use disorders and/or mental health disorders to transform their lives. Read more.
We’re ready for warmer weather – but our bodies might not be
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider Our bodies may be more sensitive to heat when they haven’t had a chance to adjust to warmer temperatures. And people flock to rivers and lakes when the weather turns warm – but the shock from unexpectedly cold water can lead to accidental drowning. You can prepare for the heat by knowing if you or your loved ones are more sensitive to heat, paying attention to any signs that you are overheating, and being careful around cold water. Read more.
Metro Matters: Service you can count on
Crossposted from Metro Matters By Michelle Allison, King County Metro General Manager King County Metro is the largest transit agency in the entire Northwest. We provide bus, paratransit, vanpool, and water taxi services. We also operate Seattle Streetcar, Sound Transit Link light rail, and Sound Transit Express bus service. We are proud to be part of Executive Dow Constantine’s broader vision to continue to expand our regional transit network by putting people first. We’ve earned recognition ranging from Best Large Transit Agency in North America in 2018 to Most Equitable Large Transit… Read More
Fourth Avenue entrance to King County Courthouse now closed, Third Avenue reopens
Updated June 15, 2023 The Fourth Avenue entrance to the King County Courthouse in downtown Seattle has closed for necessary repairs, and the Third Avenue entrance has resumed serving as the primary access point to the building moving forward. Employees, jurors, and other visitors to the Courthouse Building should allow additional time to gain access and clear security screening on Third Avenue during this transition. Temporary signage will be installed to provide directions to users of the building. King County employees will still be able to access the Courthouse Building through the… Read More
Mental Health Month: Creating a healthy home environment
This year, Mental Health America has focused Mental Health Month on encouraging us to “Look around, Look within,” sharing suggestions on ways to improve our surroundings in order to improve our mental health, and how to seek help for mental health challenges. Optimizing our space to improve our mental health is something that anyone can benefit from. It is one tool of many that can be used to improve and support your mental well-being. Go to the Balanced You blog for helpful some tips to shape your home environment, improve sleep quality and… Read More
New appointment scheduler assists county veterans
The King County Veterans and Military Affinity Group and King County Veteran’s Program would like to remind all County employees who are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces that the Veteran’s Administration (VA) has launched a new appointment scheduler to connect you with VA Benefits Counselors. The Visitor Engagement Reporting Application (VERA) is a streamlined scheduling process for in-person or online appointments to learn about your benefits and how to navigate the VA’s processes. This is a useful resource for those with questions about benefit eligibility, or in need of assistance filing… Read More
Metro will adjust schedules on Sept. 2 to improve trip reliability
Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Metro will increase reliability and build resiliency with its fall update to transit schedules. The agency currently is delivering 95% of more than 11,200 daily bus trips while facing challenges with canceled trips. The changes beginning in September will ensure riders can have confidence knowing that Metro will be there no matter where they need to go. To ensure transit services are in sync with fleet availability and its workforce, Metro will focus upcoming revisions on 20 low-ridership routes, and 92% of boardings will not be… Read More
Employee News 