Recipient of BRG Innovation Award for Cost helped stabilize region’s behavioral healthcare system
A team comprised of employees from the Behavioral Health and Recovery Division, Finance and Compliance Services, and Performance Measurement and Evaluation in the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is the recipient of the 2023 Best-Run Government (BRG) Innovation Award for Cost. The award was one of eight announced by Executive Dow Constantine in a video. The Behavioral Health Medicaid Rate Increase Project Team was instrumental in increasing rates for behavioral health providers, who have been struggling to attract and retain staff at a time when the County seeks to increase access… Read More
Three things we did to make contracting more equitable
By Office of Equity and Community Partnerships, Public Health – Seattle & King County Sometimes systems that were intended to create fairness backfire. Organizations and vendors should have equal opportunity to bid for government contracts, so government agencies typically use Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in an attempt to open up contracting. But in reality, this process can add to disparity. For example, if you are a small organization or business, you probably don’t have dedicated staff who can easily respond to RFPs. Even for highly capable staff, it can be daunting and… Read More
King County adding Wilburton Trestle to Eastrail
A public-private partnership that includes Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, Amazon, the City of Bellevue, Kaiser Permanente, and the King County Parks Levy started transforming the 120-year-old Wilburton Trestle into a trail bridge that will be added to the emerging 42-mile Eastrail. “We’ve built strong partnerships to transform the historic Wilburton Trestle into a trail bridge for Eastrail,” said Executive Constantine. “Creating a regional trail that offers healthy, reliable, scenic connections to some of the world’s leading job centers, vibrant cities, and light rail service demonstrates what we can achieve when we align… Read More
Natural Resources and Parks’ Recruitment Standards Project receives Innovation Award for People
Like many organizations today, King County is facing challenges in filling vacant positions amid shortages in the labor market and fierce competition for talent. In addition, the County’s commitment to Equity, Racial, and Social Justice means that embedding pro-equity practices into its processes is crucial in advancing these efforts. The Human Resources team in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) realized that it could be more effective in bringing much-needed talent on board if it could speed up the recruiting process and build equity practices into every step of the… Read More
Hazardous Waste Management Program’s Annual Report
The Annual Report highlights the Hazardous Waste Management Program’s services, accomplishments, and financial status for 2023. Read about how the Program reduced toxic exposures, held product makers and sellers responsible, and put innovation into action. Read the report here.
A cyclist’s haven: Take a ride on the Burke-Gilman trail
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider As spring ends and summer begins, we’d like to bring to your attention a fantastic biking trail, the Burke-Gilman Trail, and a few bike safety tips along the way. The Burke-Gilman Trail is a cyclist’s haven, providing commuters with a smooth, uninterrupted route. Its 20-mile stretch connects various neighborhoods, allowing riders to bypass traffic and avoid the stop-and-go of city streets. This seamless experience saves time and enhances safety, as cyclists are less exposed to the risks associated with urban traffic. The trail’s well-maintained path and excellent wayfinding ensure that cyclists… Read More
Watch 2024 State of the County address on June 11
King County Executive Dow Constantine will deliver his 2024 State of the County address during the King County Council meeting on Tuesday, June 11, and employees are invited to watch the address live from their workspaces. You can watch Executive Constantine’s address streaming live on this webpage and on KCTV Channels 22 and 322 (HD). The Executive’s remarks will begin around 2:30 p.m. Every year, during the State of the County address, Executive Constantine discusses the condition of our County and outlines his priorities to the people of King County. Video and the text of the… Read More
Natural Resources and Parks’ Recruitment Standards Project receives Innovation Award for People
Like many organizations today, King County is facing challenges in filling vacant positions amid shortages in the labor market and fierce competition for talent. In addition, the County’s commitment to Equity, Racial, and Social Justice means that embedding pro-equity practices into its processes is crucial in advancing these efforts. Delays in the hiring process can result in the loss of talented candidates to other organizations or opportunities, making it harder to fill critically important positions. The Human Resources team in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) realized that it could… Read More
King County Executive proclaims June to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month
King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed June 2024 to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month. In the proclamation, Executive Constantine urges all King County residents to honor the fight against discrimination and to honor the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people to our County and our society. Read the full proclamation below.
Metro deepens its commitment to a safe and welcoming rider experience
On February 27, 2024, King County Metro welcomed the newest division to the agency, the Safety Security and Quality Assurance division (SSQA). Safety has always been a priority at Metro but that scope has increased dramatically throughout the years. To understand what community’s priorities are related to safety Metro conducted community engagement, gathered feedback on fare enforcement, centered youth voices, and more. To operationalize community feedback and uphold the values of safety and equity, the SSQA section transitioned into a division. “Creating this division is a bold move to elevate Metro’s values… Read More
Employee News 